Given an arithmetic sequence $\{a_n\}$, we know that $a_2 + a_8 = 1$. The sum of the first 3 terms is 20, the sum of the last 3 terms is 130, and the sum of all terms is 200. We want to find the number of terms $n$.

AlgebraArithmetic SequenceSeriesSummation
2025/4/18

1. Problem Description

Given an arithmetic sequence {an}\{a_n\}, we know that a2+a8=1a_2 + a_8 = 1. The sum of the first 3 terms is 20, the sum of the last 3 terms is 130, and the sum of all terms is
2
0

0. We want to find the number of terms $n$.

2. Solution Steps

Let the first term be a1a_1 and the common difference be dd. Then an=a1+(n1)da_n = a_1 + (n-1)d.
We are given that a2+a8=1a_2 + a_8 = 1. In terms of a1a_1 and dd, this means
a1+d+a1+7d=1a_1 + d + a_1 + 7d = 1, so 2a1+8d=12a_1 + 8d = 1.
The sum of the first 3 terms is a1+a2+a3=a1+(a1+d)+(a1+2d)=3a1+3d=20a_1 + a_2 + a_3 = a_1 + (a_1 + d) + (a_1 + 2d) = 3a_1 + 3d = 20, which implies a1+d=203a_1 + d = \frac{20}{3}.
The sum of the last 3 terms is an2+an1+an=(a1+(n3)d)+(a1+(n2)d)+(a1+(n1)d)=3a1+(3n6)d=3a1+3(n2)d=130a_{n-2} + a_{n-1} + a_n = (a_1 + (n-3)d) + (a_1 + (n-2)d) + (a_1 + (n-1)d) = 3a_1 + (3n - 6)d = 3a_1 + 3(n-2)d = 130. This gives a1+(n2)d=1303a_1 + (n-2)d = \frac{130}{3}.
The sum of all terms is Sn=n(a1+an)2=n(a1+a1+(n1)d)2=n(2a1+(n1)d)2=200S_n = \frac{n(a_1 + a_n)}{2} = \frac{n(a_1 + a_1 + (n-1)d)}{2} = \frac{n(2a_1 + (n-1)d)}{2} = 200. This gives n(2a1+(n1)d)=400n(2a_1 + (n-1)d) = 400.
From a1+d=203a_1 + d = \frac{20}{3}, we have a1=203da_1 = \frac{20}{3} - d. Substituting into 2a1+8d=12a_1 + 8d = 1, we get
2(203d)+8d=12(\frac{20}{3} - d) + 8d = 1, so 4032d+8d=1\frac{40}{3} - 2d + 8d = 1, which means 6d=1403=3736d = 1 - \frac{40}{3} = \frac{-37}{3}. Thus d=3718d = \frac{-37}{18}.
Then a1=203(3718)=120+3718=15718a_1 = \frac{20}{3} - (\frac{-37}{18}) = \frac{120 + 37}{18} = \frac{157}{18}.
We have a1+(n2)d=1303a_1 + (n-2)d = \frac{130}{3}. Substituting the values of a1a_1 and dd, we have
15718+(n2)(3718)=1303\frac{157}{18} + (n-2)(\frac{-37}{18}) = \frac{130}{3}. Multiply by 18 to get 15737(n2)=6130=780157 - 37(n-2) = 6 \cdot 130 = 780.
15737n+74=780157 - 37n + 74 = 780, so 23137n=780231 - 37n = 780. This gives 37n=549-37n = 549, which is impossible because nn must be an integer.
We have a1+d=20/3a_1+d = 20/3 and a1+(n2)d=130/3a_1+(n-2)d = 130/3. Subtract the first equation from the second to get (n3)d=110/3(n-3)d=110/3.
Also Sn=n/2(a1+an)=n/2(a1+a1+(n1)d)=n/2(2a1+(n1)d)=200S_n = n/2 (a_1+a_n)=n/2 (a_1+a_1+(n-1)d)=n/2 (2a_1+(n-1)d)=200, so 2a1+(n1)d=400/n2a_1+(n-1)d=400/n.
And 2a1+8d=12a_1+8d=1.
From a1+d=20/3a_1+d = 20/3 and a1+(n2)d=130/3a_1+(n-2)d = 130/3, we sum them to get 2a1+(n1)d=150/3=502a_1+(n-1)d = 150/3=50.
Hence 400/n=50400/n=50, so n=8n=8.

3. Final Answer

8

Related problems in "Algebra"

The given sequence is -1, 2, 7, 14, 23, ... We are asked to find a formula for the $n$-th term of th...

SequencesSeriesQuadratic SequencesFinding the nth termAlgebraic Manipulation
2025/6/25

The image shows a sequence of numbers: 6, -11, 22, -44, 88, -132. We need to identify the pattern an...

SequencesPattern RecognitionSeries
2025/6/25

Solve the equation $2(x+1)^2 - (x-2)^2 = x(x-3)$ for $x$.

Quadratic EquationsEquation SolvingAlgebraic Manipulation
2025/6/25

We are asked to solve the following equation for $x$: $$(2x+1)^2 - 4(x-3)^2 = 5x+10$$

Quadratic EquationsEquation SolvingSimplification
2025/6/25

We are asked to solve the equation $6(3x-4) - 10(x-3) = 10(2x-3)$ for $x$.

Linear EquationsEquation SolvingSimplification
2025/6/25

We need to solve the equation $7(x+1) = 9 - (2x-1)$ for $x$.

Linear EquationsEquation SolvingVariable Isolation
2025/6/25

We are given the complex number $A = 1 + i + i^2 + \dots + i^{2009}$ and we are asked to determine i...

Complex NumbersGeometric SeriesComplex Number ArithmeticPowers of i
2025/6/25

We are given that $A = 1 + i + i^2 + ... + i^{2009}$. We are also given that $B = -\frac{1}{2} + i\...

Complex NumbersPowers of iSeries
2025/6/25

We are given $B = -\frac{1}{2} + i\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ and $C = -\frac{1}{2} - i\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$. ...

Complex NumbersExponentsSimplification
2025/6/25

The problem states that $P = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{pmatrix}$, $T = \begin{pmatrix} -3 \\ 1 \en...

VectorsMatrix OperationsVector Components
2025/6/24