Question

Solve the question: (-4)+(-1)+2+5+...+x=437

Answer 1

The sequence is an arithmetic sequence with
a₁ = -4

d = a₂ - a₁
d = -1 - (-4)
d = -1 + 4
d = 3

an = x

Sn = 437


General formula in arithmetic sequence
Formula to find nth term
an = a₁ + d(n - 1)
Formula to find sum of sequence (sn)
Sn = n/2 (a₁ + an)

We have to make an equation system based on the problem
plug the numbers into the formula
First equation
an = a₁ + d(n - 1)
x = -4 + 3(n - 1)
x = -4 + 3n - 3
x = 3n - 7

Second equation
Sn = n/2 (a₁ + an)
n/2 (a₁ + an) = 437
n/2 (-4 + x) = 437
n(x -  4) = 874
xn - 4n = 874

Solve the equation system by subtitution method
Subtitute x with 3n - 7 in the second equation
xn - 4n = 874
(3n - 7)n - 4n = 874
3n² - 7n - 4n = 874
3n² - 11n - 874 = 0
(3n + 46)(n - 19) = 0
n = -46/3 or n = 19
Because the number of terms shouldn't be negative, -46/3 isn't required, so the value of n is 19.

Solve for x, back to the first equatin
x = 3n - 7
x = 3(19) - 7
x = 57 - 7
x = 50

The solution is 50