Given the arithmetic progression (AP): 38, 55, 72, ...
The common difference is calculated as: \[ d = 55 - 38 = 17 \]
The objective is to determine the average of all 3-digit numbers within this AP. The smallest 3-digit number in the AP, which is ≥ 100, is: \[ a = 106 \]. The largest 3-digit number in the AP, which is ≤ 999, is: \[ l = 990 \]
Employing the formula: \[ n = \frac{l - a}{d} + 1 = \frac{990 - 106}{17} + 1 = \frac{884}{17} + 1 = 52 + 1 = 53 \]. However, as 884 is exactly divisible by 17, resulting in 52, the accurate count of terms is: \[ n = 52 \]
The sum of the AP terms is computed as: \[ S_n = \frac{n}{2} \cdot (a + l) = \frac{52}{2} \cdot (106 + 990) = 26 \cdot 1096 = 28496 \]
\[ \text{Average} = \frac{S_n}{n} = \frac{28496}{52} = 548 \]
\[ \boxed{548} \] The average value of all 3-digit numbers present in the arithmetic progression is 548.