Math Problem Statement

What is the sum of all numbers in the sequence 3,6,9,12,15,...294,297,300

Solution

The given sequence is an arithmetic sequence, where the first term a1=3a_1 = 3, the common difference d=3d = 3, and the last term an=300a_n = 300.

To find the sum of the sequence, we need two things:

  1. The number of terms in the sequence (nn).
  2. The sum formula for an arithmetic sequence.

Step 1: Find the number of terms (nn)

The general formula for the nn-th term of an arithmetic sequence is:

an=a1+(n1)da_n = a_1 + (n - 1) \cdot d

Substitute the known values (an=300a_n = 300, a1=3a_1 = 3, d=3d = 3):

300=3+(n1)3300 = 3 + (n - 1) \cdot 3

Simplifying:

300=3+3n3300 = 3 + 3n - 3

300=3n300 = 3n

n=3003=100n = \frac{300}{3} = 100

There are 100 terms in the sequence.

Step 2: Apply the sum formula

The sum SnS_n of an arithmetic sequence is given by:

Sn=n2(a1+an)S_n = \frac{n}{2} \cdot (a_1 + a_n)

Substitute the known values (n=100n = 100, a1=3a_1 = 3, an=300a_n = 300):

S100=1002(3+300)S_{100} = \frac{100}{2} \cdot (3 + 300)

S100=50303=15,150S_{100} = 50 \cdot 303 = 15,150

Final Answer:

The sum of all the numbers in the sequence is 15,150.


Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions for deeper understanding:

  1. How do you find the common difference in an arithmetic sequence?
  2. What would the sum be if the sequence started from a different number, say 5?
  3. How does the sum formula change if the common difference is negative?
  4. Can the sum formula be used for geometric sequences as well?
  5. How can you check if a sequence is arithmetic?

Tip: Always double-check your calculations by substituting values back into the sequence formula.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Arithmetic Sequences
Sum of Sequences

Formulas

n-th term formula: a_n = a_1 + (n - 1) * d
Sum of arithmetic sequence: S_n = (n / 2) * (a_1 + a_n)

Theorems

Arithmetic Sequence Sum Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-10