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Let Sn​ denote the sum of the first n terms of an AP. If S₂ₙ​=2Sₙ​, then the ratio S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ is equal to:

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

In this case, the ratio S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ is equal to 3 * (3n + 1) * a₁.

None of the given options is correct

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the ratio S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​, we first need to understand the relationship between S₂ₙ​ and Sₙ​.

1. Let's consider an arithmetic progression (AP) with the common difference d and the first term a₁.

2. The sum of the first n terms of this AP, denoted as Sn​, can be calculated using the formula: Sn​ = (n/2)(2a₁ + (n-1)d).

3. According to the given information, S₂ₙ​ = 2Sₙ​. Substituting the respective formulas for S₂ₙ​ and Sₙ​ into the equation, we get:

(2n/2)(2a₁ + (2n-1)d) = 2(n/2)(2a₁ + (n-1)d).

4. Simplifying the equation, we have: n(2a₁ + (2n-1)d) = n(2a₁ + (n-1)d).

5. Canceling the common factor n, we get: 2a₁ + (2n-1)d = 2a₁ + (n-1)d.

6. Rearranging the equation, we have: d = a₁.

From step 6, we can conclude that the common difference d of the AP is equal to the first term a₁.

Now, let's find the ratio S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ using the formula for Sn​:

- S₃ₙ​ = (3n/2)(2a₁ + (3n-1)d).

- Sₙ​ = (n/2)(2a₁ + (n-1)d).

Dividing S₃ₙ​ by Sₙ​:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = [(3n/2)(2a₁ + (3n-1)d)] / [(n/2)(2a₁ + (n-1)d)].

Simplifying the expression:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = (3n/2) * (2a₁ + (3n-1)d) / (n/2) * (2a₁ + (n-1)d).

The factors (n/2) and (2a₁ + (n-1)d) cancel out, leaving:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = 3n * (2a₁ + (3n-1)d) / n.

Simplifying further:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = 3 * (2a₁ + (3n-1)d).

Since we know from step 6 that d = a₁, we can substitute this into the equation:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = 3 * (2a₁ + (3n-1)a₁).

Simplifying:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = 3 * (2a₁ + (3n-1)a₁) = 3 * (2 + (3n-1))a₁ = 3 * (2 + 3n - 1)a₁.

Finally, simplifying the expression:

S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ = 3 * (3n + 1)a₁.

From this equation, we can conclude that the ratio S₃ₙ​/Sₙ​ is equal to 3 * (3n + 1) * a₁.

None of the given options is correct

User Manas Sambare
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