Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 1

.
De nition: A ( nite or in nite) list of objects is called a sequence. The terms or elements of a sequence
are often denoted by a1 , a2 , ...,an . The integer k in ak is called the index of the term ak .

For the most part, we will study sequences of numbers. We will start with the simpler types.
.
De nition: An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers in which the consecutive terms are
increasing or decreasing by the same amount. This same amount is called the common
difference of the sequence.

For example, the sequence 10; 13; 16; 19; 22; : : : can be given by its rst term, a1 = 10 and common difference d = 3.
We will often denote the rst term by a instead of a1 and express things in terms of a and d
a1 a2 a3 a4 :::
in this case: 13 16 19 22 ...
10 + 3 10 + 2 3 10 + 3 3 10 + 4 3
a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 ...
in general:
a a+d a + 2d a + 3d a + 4d ...
This is however, not always the most useful notation, as we will see later.
There are usually two questions often asked about arithmetic sequences. Given the sequence, what is its nth term, and
what is the sum of its rst n terms.
To nd the nth term, we can see that it is just a matter of adding the common difference repeatedly to the rst term. Not
exactly n times for an ; but almost. If we inspect the rst few terms, we see the pattern.

a1 =a We do not get the nth term by adding the common difference to the rst
a2 =a+d term exactly n-times. This might remind us of a fact from counting. To
a3 = a + 2d count out 100 numbers, we can count from 1 to 100, or from 0 to 99.
a4 = a + 3d
.. This is the case of counting from zero, as a1 = a = a + 0 d
.
an = a + (n 1) d
.
If a1 ; a2 ; : : : is an arithmetic sequence with rst term a and common difference d; then the nth term,
an can be computed as
an = a + (n 1) d

Example 1. Consider the arithmetic sequence with rst term 500 and common difference 7.
a) Find the 200th term in the sequence. b) Find k if ak = 25.

Solution: a) We apply the formula with a = 500, d = 7, and n = 200.

a200 = a + 199d = 500 + 199 7 = 893
b) We apply the same formula and solve for k.
25 = 500 + (n 1) 7
525 = 7 (n 1)
75 = n 1
76 = n Therefore, 25 is the 76th term of this sequence,

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 2

We can also nd the sum of the rst n terms, often denoted by sn .

Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) is probably one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. He made major contributions
to most areas within mathematics. The following story is from when Gauss was still at primary school. One day Gauss'
teacher asked his class to add together all the numbers from 1 to 100, assuming that this task would occupy them for quite a
while. He was shocked when young Gauss, after a few seconds thought, wrote down the answer 5050. The teacher couldn't
understand how his pupil had calculated the sum so quickly in his head, but the eight year old Gauss pointed out that the
problem was actually quite simple.

Here is the question: 1 + 2 + 3 + ::: + 100 = x

We repeat this line, but this time, backward: 100 + 99 + 98 + ::: + 1 = x

And we will add the two lines - the result will be twice the desired sum. 1 + 2 + 3 + :::: + 100 = x
Instead of adding row 1 and then row 2, we will add the numbers + 100 + 99 + 98 + ::: + 1 = x
column by column. The sum in the rst column is 1 + 100 = 101: 101 + 101 + 101 + ::: + 101 = 2x
The sum of the second column is 2 + 99 = 101: The sum of the third column is 3 + 98 = 101. And so on, the sum of
each column is 101 because as we step to the right, the number in the rst row increase by 1 and the number in the second
row decrease by 1. Thus the sum remains 101.
1 + 2 + 3 + :::: + 100 = x
+ 100 + 99 + 98 + ::: + 1 = x
101 + 101 + 101 + ::: + 101 = 2x

When we add the same number to itself repeatedly, that can be 100 101 = 2x
re-written as multiplication. We have 100 columns, so we added 10 100 = 2x
101 to itself 100 times. So the long sum can be replaced by a single
5050 = x
multiplication.
This method can be applied to arithmetic sequences..

Example 2. Find the sum 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + :::: + 600.

Solution: We will apply Gauss's method.

3 + 6 + 9 + : : : + 600 = x
600 + 597 + 594 + : : : + 3 = x

The easy question is: what is the sum in each column? Clearly 603. It takes a bit more work to gure out how
many columns are there. We label the numbers in the rst row as 1, 2; 3; etc

1 2 3 ? = x
# # # #
3 + 6 + 9 + : : : + 600 = x

The last number will have to get the label 200: So, we have 200 columns and each of them adds up to 603:

603 + 603 + 603 + ::: + 603 = 2x

200 603 = 2x
120 600 = 2x
60 300 = x

So the sum 3 + 6 + 9 + ::: + 600 = 60 300 .

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 3

Example 3. Suppose that an arithmetic sequence is de ned by rst term a = 73 and common difference d = 15. Find
a120 and s120 :
Solution: We rst nd a120
a120 = a + 119d = 73 + 119 15 = 1858

For the sum sn ; we apply Gauss's method. We write down the sum twice, the second time backwards, and add, column by
column.
73 + 88 + 103 + :::: + 1858 = x
+ 1858 + 1843 + 1828 + ::: + 73 = x
1931 + 1931 + 1931 + ::: + 1931 = 2x

We know that each column adds to 1931 and there are 120 columns. Therefore, the sum is

2s120 = 120 1931

120 1931
s120 = = 115 860
2

In general we can nd sn using this method. We write down the long sum twice, the second time backwards and add by
columns.
a1 + a2 + a3 + :::: + an = x
+ an + an 1 + an 2 + ::: + a1 = x

The sum in each column is the same: a1 + an

and we have n columns. Therefore,

2sn = n (a1 + an )

a1 + an
and so sn = n
2

n (a1 + an )
We can combine our two formulas, an = a + (n 1) d and sn = . Because a1 = a and an = a + (n 1) d;
2
we have that
n (a1 + an ) n (a + a + (n 1) d) 2a + (n 1) d
sn = = =n
2 2 2
.
If a is the rst term and d the common difference of an arithmetic sequence, then an and sn =
a1 + a2 + : : : + an can be found using the formulas

2a + (n 1) d
an = a + (n 1) d and sn = n
2

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 4

Sample Problems

1. Consider the arithmetic sequence (an ) determined by a1 = 143 and d = 3.

a) Find the 220th element in the sequence. b) Find the sum of the rst 220 elements.

2. Consider the arithmetic sequence 1; 4; 7; 10; 13; :::

a) Find the 200th element in the sequence. b) Find the sum of the rst 200 elements.

3. Consider the arithmetic sequence determined by a1 = 45 and d = 5.

a) Find a150 . b) Find the sum a1 + a2 + ::: + a150 .

4. Suppose that (an ) is an arithmetic sequence. Find the values of a and d if we know that a10 = 38 and a15 = 18.

5. Suppose that (an ) is an arithmetic sequence. Find the values of a and d if we know that a15 = 62 and s20 = 700.

6. The sum of the rst ve elements of an arithmetic sequence is 45. Find the value of the third element. (In short:
nd a3 if s5 = 45).

7. The sum of the rst three elements in an arithmetic sequence is 219. The sum of the rst nine elements in the same
arithmetic sequence is 603. Find the 143rd element in this sequence.

8. Find the rst element and common difference in an arithmetic sequence if we know that s20 = 230 and s39 = 663.

9. The rst elements in an arithmetic sequence is 2, its twenty-second element is 14. Find the value of n so that an = 6.

10. The rst eight elements in an arithmetic sequence add up to 604. The next eight elements add up to 156. Find the
rst element and common difference in the sequence.

11. The rst element in an arithmetic sequence is 80: Find the common difference if we also know that s9 is eighteen
times a11 .
1
12. Given the arithmetic sequence by a1 = 16 and d = , nd all values of n so that sn = 50.
3
13. Suppose that fan g is an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 1. Find the second element if we know that the sum of the
rst ve elements is a quarter of the sum of the next ve elements.

14. Three sides of a right triangle are integers and form consecutive terms in an arithmetic sequence. Find the sides of
the triangle.

15. The rst element in an arithmetic sequence is 10: Find the common difference in the sequence such that a5 , a51 , and
a55 are sides of a right triangle and a55 is the hypotenuse.

16. Consider the arithmetic sequence of odd natural numbers, 1; 3; 5; 7; 9; [Link] Prove that for all natural numbers n, sn
is a perfect square.

17. Suppose that a1 ; a2 ; a3 ; ::: and b1 ; b2 ; b3 ; ::: are arithmetic sequences. The sequence c1 ; c2 ; c3 ; ::: is formed by
multiplying the two sequences term by term, i.e. c1 = a1 b1 ; c2 = a2 b2 ; :::Find the value of c8 if we know that
c1 = 10; c2 = 48; and c3 = 66.

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 5

Practice Problems

1. Consider the arithmetic sequence determined by a1 = 8 and d = 3: Find a20 and s20 .
2. Consider the arithmetic sequence (an ) = 78; 75; 72; 69; :::Find a150 and s150 .
3. An arithmetic sequence is de ned by a1 = 54 and d = 11. Find a10 and s10 .
4. A theater has 30 rows of seats. The rst row contains 20 sets, the secons row contains 21 seats, and so on, each row
has one more seat than the previos one. How many seats are there in the theater?
5. Find a and d if a34 = 193 and s17 = 306.
6. The rst seven elements of an arithmetic sequence add up to 91: The rst fteen elements add up to 495. Find the
second element in the sequence.
7. Consider the arithmetic sequence (an ) with the following conditions: a50 = 252 and s50 = 2800. Find the rst
element and common difference of the sequence.
8. Find a and d if
a) a5 = 45 and a33 = 24 c) a25 = 25 and s45 = 1170
b) a30 = 13 and s30 = 480 d) s36 = 288 and s99 = 5445

9. The fth elements in an arithmetic sequence is 1, and its twenty- rst element is 11. Find the value of n so that
an = 20.
10. The rst element in an arithmetic sequence is 4. Find the common difference in the sequence if given that a10 , a31 ,
and a34 are sides of a right triangle where a34 is the hypotenuse.
11. Two arithmetic sequences are multiplied together to produce the sequence 468, 462, 384; ::: What is the next term of
this sequence?

Answers

Sample Problems

1. a) 514 b) 40 810 2. a) 598 b) 59 900 3. a) 700 b) 49 125 4. a = 74; d = 4

5. a = 22; d = 6 6. 9 7. 209 8. a = 40 and d = 9. the 8th element
3 10. a = 100; d = 7 11. 5
1
12. 100 13. 2 14. 3d; 4d; and 5d; where d is any positive number 15. 16. see solutions 17. 144
2

Practice Problems

1. a20 = 49 and s20 = 410 2. a150 = 369 and s150 = 21 825 3. a10 = 45; d = 45 4. 1035 seats
5. a = 38; d = 7 6. 3 7. a = 140; d = 8
3 1 2
8. a) a = 48; d = b) a = 45; d = 2 c) a = 37; d = d) a = 43; d = 2 9. n = 33 10. 11. 234
4 2 3

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 6

Sample Problems - Solutions

Please note that the rst element is denoted by both a and a1 .

1. Consider the arithmetic sequence (an ) determined by a1 = 143 and d = 3.

a) Find the 220th element in the sequence.
Solution: a220 = a1 + 219d = 143 + 219 ( 3) = 514
b) Find the sum of the rst 220 elements.
a1 + an
Solution 1 : We can use the formula sn = (n). We set n = 220.
2
a1 + a220 143 + ( 514) 371
s220 = (220) = (220) = 220 = 40 810
2 2 2
2a + (n 1) d
Solution 2: We can use the formula sn = (n). We set n = 220.
2
2 (143) + 219 ( 3) 371
s220 = (220) = 220 = 40 810
2 2

2. Consider the arithmetic sequence 1; 4; 7; 10; 13; :::

a) Find the 200th element in the sequence.
Solution: We see that d = 3. Then a200 = a1 + 199d = 1 + 199 (3) = 598
b) Find the sum of the rst 200 elements.
a1 + a200 1 + 598
Solution 1 : s200 = (200) = (200) = 59 900
2 2
2a + 199d 2 (1) + 199 (3)
Solution 2: s200 = (200) = (200) = 59 900
2 2
3. Consider the arithmetic sequence determined by a1 = 45 and d = 5.
a) Find a150 .
Solution: a150 = a1 + 149d = 45 + 149 ( 5) = 700
b) Find the sum a1 + a2 + ::: + a150 .
a1 + a150 45 + ( 700)
Solution 1 : s150 = (150) = (150) = 49 125
2 2
2a + 149d 2 (45) + 149 ( 5)
Solution 2: s150 = (150) = (150) = 49 125
2 2
4. Suppose that (an ) is an arithmetic sequence. Find the values of a and d if we know that a10 = 38 and a15 = 18.
Solution 1: Notice that the 15th element is smaller than the tenth: this sequence is decreasing, and so d must be negative. Let
a denote the rst element and d the common difference in the arithmetic sequence. a10 = 38 and a15 = 18 can be expressed
as
a + 9d = 38
a + 14d = 18
We will sove this system by elimination; we multiply the rst equation by 1.

a 9d = 38
a + 14d = 18

Then add the two equations.

5d = 20
d = 4

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 7

a + 9 ( 4) = 38
a 36 = 38
a = 74

Thus a = 74 and d = 4. We check: a10 = a + 9d = 74 + 9 ( 4) = 38 and a15 = a + 14d = 74 + 14 ( 4) = 18.

Solution 2. A neat shortcut:

a15 = a10 + 5d
18 = 38 + 5d
20 = 5d
4 = d

The rest of the solution is identical to the previous method.

5. Suppose that (an ) is an arithmetic sequence. Find the values of a and d if we know that a15 = 62 and s20 = 700.
Solution: Let a denote the rst element and d the common difference in the arithmetic sequence. a15 = a + 14d, and
a20 = a + 19d. Then

a15 = a + 14d =) 62 = a + 14d

2a + 19d
s20 = (20) =) 700 = (2a + 19d) 10
2
The second equation can be further simpli ed by division by 10. Now we have the system

a + 14d = 62
2a + 19d = 70

We solve this system by elimination; we multiply the rst equation by 2 and then add the two equations.

2a 28d = 124
2a + 19d = 70
9d = 54
d = 6

a + 14 (6) = 62
a + 84 = 62
a = 22
a1 + a20
Thus a = 22 and d = 6. We check: a15 = 22 + 14 (6) = 62, a20 = 22 + 19 (6) = 92, and so s20 = (20) =
2
22 + 92
(20) = 700.
2
6. The sum of the rst ve elements of an arithmetic sequence is 45. Find the value of the third element. (In short: nd a3 if
s5 = 45)
Solution 1: Using the usual notation, a and d, we need to nd the value of a3 = a + 2d; and we have that

a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 + a5 = 45
a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + (a + 3d) + (a + 4d) = 45
5a + 10d = 45
5 (a + 2d) = 45
a + 2d = 9
a3 = 9

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 8

Solution 2: Let x denote the third term. Then the rst ve elements are

x 2d; x d; x; x + d; x + 2d

and if we add these, we easily get 5x. Thus 5x = 45 gives us x = 9. If we select any odd number of consecutive elements
in an arithmetic sequence, the middle element will be the average (arithmetic mean) of these elements. It is often useful to use
this in notation: three consecutive elements in an arithmetic sequence can be denoted as x d; x; and x + d.
7. The sum of the rst three elements in an arithmetic sequence is 219. The sum of the rst nine elements in the same arithmetic
sequence is 603. Find the 143rd element in this sequence.
Solution1: We simply state the two partial sums and solve the system of linear equation for a and d. However, the equations
of this system can be signi cantly simpli ed, for a very good reason. For more on this, see the second solution presented.

2a + 2d
s3 = 219 =) 219 = (3) =) a + d = 73
2

2a + 8d
s9 = 603 =) 603 = (9) =) a + 4d = 67
2
We solve the system
a + d = 73
a + 4d = 67
and obtain a = 75 and d = 2. Then the 143rd element can be easily found

a143 = a + 142d = 75 + 142 ( 2) = 209

Solution 2. The average (or arithmetic mean) of an odd number of consecutive elements in an arithmetic sequence is always
the element in the middle. If we add three consecutive elements in an arithmetic sequence, the sum is always three times
the middle element. If we add nine consecutive elements in an arithmetic sequence, the sum is always nine times the middle
element. Using this fact, we almost immediately have the following:

s3 = 219 =) 219 = 3a2 =) a2 = 73

s9 = 603 =) 603 = 9a5 =) a5 = 67

Notice that the statements a2 = 73 and a5 = 67 are the same as the equations we obtained in Solution 1. We can now easily
solve for a and d.

a5 = a2 + 3d
67 = 73 + 3d =) d= 2

and a2 = 73 gives us

a2 = a+d
73 = a 2 =) a = 75

8. Find the rst element and common difference in an arithmetic sequence if we know that s20 = 230 and s39 = 663.
Solution: Let a and d denote the rst element and common difference in the sequence. Then we will set up two equations in a
2a + (n 1) d
and d stating s20 = 230 and s39 = 663. Recall the formula sn = n.
2

s20 = 230 s39 = 663

2a + 19d 2a + 38d
20 = 230 simplify 39 = 663 divide by 39
2 2
(2a + 19d) 10 = 230 divide by 10 2a + 38d
= 17 multiply by 2
2a + 19d = 23 2
2a + 38d = 34

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 9

2a + 19d = 23
So now we just need to solve the system of equations . We will leave this task for the reader. The
2a + 38d = 34
system's solution is a = 40 and d = 3.
9. The rst elements in an arithmetic sequence is 2, its twenty-second element is 14. Find the value of n so that an = 6.
Solution: Let a and d denote the rst element and common difference of the sequence. We will rst solve for d.
a22 = 14
a + 21d = 14 we know a = 2
2 + 21d = 14
21d = 12
12 4
d = =
21 7
We will now solve for n in an = 6
an = 6
4
a + (n 1) d = 6 we know a = 2 and d =
7
4
2 + (n 1)= 6 subtract 2
7
4
(n 1) = 4 divide by 4
7
1
(n 1) = 1 multiply by 7
7
n 1 = 7 add 1
n = 8
So the eighth element is 6.
10. The rst eight elements in an arithmetic sequence add up to 604. The next eight elements add up to 156. Find the rst element
and common difference in the sequence.
Solution: At rst this problem looks tricky because the sum of the second eight elements seem to be a useless piece of
information. But it quickly becomes routine once we realize that the sum of the forst eight and second eight elements in the
sequence, if we add them, simply gives us the sum of the rst sixteen elements. In short, s16 = 604 + 156 = 760. Thus we
have the system

2a + 7d
s8 = 604 (8) = 604 =) 2a + 7d = 151
2

2a + 15d
s16 = 760 (16) = 760 =) 2a + 15d = 95
2
We solve the system of linear equations for a and d. We will multiply the rst equation by 1 and then add the two equations.

2a 7d = 151
2a + 15d = 95

8d = 56
d = 7

Now we substitute d = 7 into either one of the two equations and solve for a: We easily obtain a = 100.

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 10

11. The rst element in an arithmetic sequence is 80: Find the common difference if we also know that s9 is eighteen times a11 .
2a + (n 1) d
Solution: Recall that an = a + (n 1) d and sn = n:
2
s9 = 18a11
2 (80) + 8d
(9) = 18 (80 + 10d) divide by 9
2
2 (80) + 8d
= 2 (80 + 10d)
2
2 [(80) + 4d]
= 2 (80 + 10d) simplify
2
80 + 4d = 2 (80 + 10d) distribute
80 + 4d = 160 + 20d subtract 4d
80 = 160 + 16d subtract 160
80 = 16d divide by 16
5 = d

1
12. Given the arithmetic sequence by a1 = 16 and d = , nd all values of n so that sn = 50.
3
2a + (n 1) d 1
Solution: Recall that sn = n We write a = 16; d = ; and sn = 50, and solve for n.
2 3
2a + (n 1) d
sn = n
2
1
2 ( 16) + (n 1)
50 = 3n multiply by 2
2
1
100 = 32 + (n 1) n distribute n
3
1
100 = 32n + n (n 1) multiply by 3
3
300 = 96n + n (n 1)
2
300 = 96n + n n
2
0 = n 97n 300

We will solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula.

8
p p p > 200
97 972 4 ( 300) 97 9409 + 1200 97 10 609 97 103 < 2 = 100
n1;2 = = = = = 6
2 2 2 2 >
: = 3
2
Since n represents the index of the element in a sequence, it can not be a negative number, and so 3 is ruled out. The answer
is 100.
13. Suppose that (an ) is an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 1. Find the second element if we know that the sum of the rst ve
elements is a quarter of the sum of the next ve elements.
Solution: Let d denote the common difference. If S denotes the sum of the rst ve elements, i.e. S = s5 ; then the second ve
elements add up to 4S. Thus s10 = S + 4S = 5S: Thus we have that the sum of the rst 10 elements is ve times the sum of
the rst ten elements.

5s5 = s10
2 + 4d 2 + 9d
5 (5) = (10) multiply by 2
2 2

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 11

25 (4d + 2) = 10 (9d + 2)
100d + 50 = 90d + 20 subtract 90d
10d + 50 = 20 subtract 50
10d = 30 divide by 10
d = 3

Thus the second element is a + d = 1 3= 2.

14. Three sides of a right triangle are integers and form consecutive terms in an arithmetic sequence. Find the sides of the triangle.
Solution: Let us denote the middle side by x: Then the shortest side is x d and the longest is x + d: The Pythagorean
Theorem states then that
2 2
(x d) + x2 = (x + d)
x2 2xd + d2 + x2 = x2 + 2dx + d2
x2 4xd = 0
x (x 4d) = 0

Either x = 0 (impossible for a side of a triangle) or x = 4d. Then the three sides are 3d; 4d; and 5d. Which means that all
such triangles are similar to the triangle with sides 3; 4; and 5 units.
15. The rst element in an arithmetic sequence is 10: Find the common difference in the sequence such that a5 , a51 , and a55 are
sides of a right triangle and a55 is the hypotenuse.
Solution: We express a5 , a51 , and a55 in terms of a and d. It may be useful to note it now that if these elements are sides of
a rigth triangle in this order, then d must be positive.

a5 = a + 4d = 10 + 4d
a51 = a + 50d = 10 + 50d
a55 = a + 54d = 10 + 54d

We write the Pythagorean Theorem for these three quantities

2 2 2
(a5 ) + (a51 ) = (a55 )
2 2 2
(10 + 4d) + (10 + 50d) = (10 + 54d)

We solve this quadratic equation for d.

2 2 2
(10 + 4d) + (10 + 50d) = (10 + 54d)
100 + 80d + 16d2 + 100 + 1000d + 2500d2 = 100 + 1080d + 2916d2
2516d2 + 1080d + 200 = 2916d2 + 1080d + 100
0 = 400d2 100
2
0 = 100 4d 1
0 = 100 (2d + 1) (2d 1)
1
d =
2
1 1
Since d must be positive, d = . We check: If a = 10 and d = , then
2 2
1 1
a5 = a + 4d = 10 + 4 = 12 and a51 = a + 50d = 10 + 50 = 35 and
2 2
1
a55 = a + 54d = 10 + 54 = 37
2

and 122 + 352 = 372 and so our solution is correct.

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Lecture Notes Arithmetic Sequences page 12

16. Consider the arithmetic sequence of odd natural numbers, 1; 3; 5; 7; 9; [Link] Prove that for all n, sn is a perfect square.
Proof: Clearly a = 1 and d = 2.
2a + (n 1) d 2 1 + (n 1) 2 2 + 2n 2 2n
sn = (n) = (n) = (n) = (n) = n2
2 2 2 2
Not only these sums are all squares, but actually sn = n2 .
17. Suppose that a1 ; a2 ; a3 ; ::: and b1 ; b2 ; b3 ; ::: are arithmetic sequences. The sequence c1 ; c2 ; c3 ; ::: is formed by multiplying
the two sequences term by term, i.e. c1 = a1 b1 ; c2 = a2 b2 ; :::Find the value of c8 if we know that c1 = 10; c2 = 48; and
c3 = 66.
Solution: Let a and d1 denote the rst element and difference in the arithmetic sequence (an ) and b and d2 in (bn ). We are
given that
c1 = a1 b1 = 10
c2 = a2 b2 = 48
c3 = a3 b3 = 66
In terms of a; b; d1 and d2 : ab = 10
(a + d1 ) (b + d2 ) = 48
(a + 2d1 ) (b + 2d2 ) = 66

Since we have four unknowns and only three equations, it seems that we can not nd the value of all unknowns. In this case,
we also need to keep an eye on what we need to nd:
c8 = a8 b8 = (a + 7d1 ) (b + 7d2 ) = ab + 7ad2 + 7bd1 + 49d1 d2

We perform the multiplications in each equation

ab = 10
ab + ad2 + bd1 + d1 d2 = 48
ab + 2ad2 + 2bd1 + 4d1 d2 = 66
ab + 7ad2 + 7bd1 + 49d1 d2 = ?

We substitute ab = 10 into eaqch equation and simplify

(ad2 + bd1 ) + (d1 d2 ) = 38
2 (ad2 + bd1 ) + 4 (d1 d2 ) = 56
10 + 7 (ad2 + bd1 ) + 49 (d1 d2 ) = ?

If we introduce the new variables X = ad2 + bd1 and Y = d1 d2 ; we can solve the system of linear equations in two variables:
X + Y = 38
2X + 4Y = 56 and 10 + 7X + 49Y =?

We easily solve this and obtain X = 48 and Y = 10. Now we can compute c8 :
c8 = 10 + 7X + 49Y = 10 + 7 (48) + 49 ( 10) = 144

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c Hidegkuti, 2020 Last revised: March 18, 2020