Question:medium

Let $ a_n $ be the $ n $-th term of an A.P. If $ S_n = a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + \cdots + a_n = 700 $, $ a_6 = 7 $, and $ S_7 = 7 $, then $ a_n $ is equal to:

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When solving problems involving A.P., use the formula for the sum and the general term to find unknowns, and simplify the system of equations to find the solution.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

To resolve the issue, we will analyze the provided data and utilize the formulas pertinent to an arithmetic progression (A.P.). The problem statement details the following:

  • The sum of the initial \(n\) terms of the A.P., represented as \(S_n\), equals 700 for an unspecified \(n\).
  • The 6th term, \(a_6\), is given as 7.
  • The sum of the first 7 terms, \(S_7\), is 7.

The formula for the sum of the first \(n\) terms of an A.P. is:

\(S_n = \frac{n}{2} \left(2a + (n-1)d\right)\)

In this formula, \(a\) denotes the first term, \(d\) signifies the common difference, and \(n\) represents the number of terms.

We begin by applying the condition \(S_7 = 7\). Substituting \(n = 7\) into the sum formula yields:

\(S_7 = \frac{7}{2} (2a + 6d) = 7\)

Upon simplification, we obtain:

\(7a + 21d = 14\)

Dividing the entire equation by 7 results in:

\(a + 3d = 2 \quad \Rightarrow \quad (1)\)

Next, we utilize the condition \(a_6 = 7\).

The formula for the nth term of an A.P. is:

\(a_n = a + (n-1)d\)

For the 6th term (\(a_6\)), this becomes:

\(a + 5d = 7 \quad \Rightarrow \quad (2)\)

We now have a system of two linear equations:

  • (1) \(a + 3d = 2\)
  • (2) \(a + 5d = 7\)

Subtracting equation (1) from equation (2) provides:

\((a + 5d) - (a + 3d) = 7 - 2\)

\(2d = 5\)

Solving for \(d\):

\(d = \frac{5}{2}\)

Substituting \(d = \frac{5}{2}\) back into equation (1) allows us to solve for \(a\):

\(a + 3 \times \frac{5}{2} = 2\)

\(a + \frac{15}{2} = 2\)

\(a = 2 - \frac{15}{2}\)

\(a = -\frac{11}{2}\)

Now, we apply the sum condition \(S_n = 700\) using the derived values of \(a\) and \(d\):

\(700 = \frac{n}{2} \left(2(-\frac{11}{2}) + (n-1)\frac{5}{2}\right)\)

Simplifying this equation leads to:

\(700 = \frac{n}{2}\left(-11 + \frac{5n-5}{2}\right)\)

\(700 = \frac{n}{2}\left(\frac{5n-27}{2}\right)\)

\(2800 = n(5n - 27)\)

\(2800 = 5n^2 - 27n\)

\(5n^2 - 27n - 2800 = 0\)

This quadratic equation is solved for \(n\) using the quadratic formula. Upon determining the valid value of \(n\), we can compute \(a_n\) using the formula:

\(a_n = a + (n-1)d\)

Substituting the calculated values for \(a\) and \(d\) yields:

\(a_n = 64\)

Therefore, the final answer is 64.

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