NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Arithmetic Progressions
Arithmetic Progressions explains number patterns where every next term is formed by adding a fixed difference.
These NCERT Solutions help students solve Chapter 5 questions on AP terms, common difference, nth term and sums.
Chapter 5 Arithmetic Progressions begins with patterns from salary increments, ladder rungs, savings and rows of plants. It then teaches students to check whether a list is an AP, find the nth term, and calculate the sum of terms. NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 cover Exercise 5.1, Exercise 5.2, Exercise 5.3 and optional Exercise 5.4. Students practise common difference, missing terms, word problems, salary growth, penalties, tree planting and stacked logs for 2026-27 CBSE exams.
Key Takeaways
- Arithmetic progression: Each term is formed by adding a fixed common difference.
- nth term: The formula aₙ = a + (n - 1)d helps find any term.
- Sum of n terms: The formula Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n - 1)d] gives total sum.
- Word problems: Salary, savings, penalties, trees and logs use AP patterns.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Structure 2026-27
| Exercise | Topic | Question Count |
| Exercise 5.1 | Identifying APs and common difference | 4 |
| Exercise 5.2 | nth term of an AP | 20 |
| Exercise 5.3 | Sum of first n terms | 20 |
| Exercise 5.4 | Optional AP applications | 5 |
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Arithmetic Progressions Exercise
The NCERT chapter has four exercises on AP patterns, nth term and sums. These Arithmetic Progressions Class 10 questions and answers follow the textbook order.
Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Exercise 5.1 Solutions
Exercise 5.1 checks whether a sequence forms an AP. Students mainly use the common difference between consecutive terms.
Q1. In which situations does the list of numbers make an arithmetic progression?
(i) Taxi fare after each km
Answer: Yes, it forms an AP.
The fares are:
15, 23, 31, 39, ...
Each term increases by 8.
Common difference = 8
(ii) Air remaining in a cylinder
Answer: No, it does not form an AP.
The pump removes 1 / 4 of the remaining air each time.
The remaining air is multiplied by a fixed fraction.
So, the difference is not constant.
(iii) Cost of digging a well after every metre
Answer: Yes, it forms an AP.
The costs are:
150, 200, 250, 300, ...
Each metre costs Rs 50 more than the previous metre.
Common difference = 50
(iv) Amount at compound interest
Answer: No, it does not form an AP.
The amount increases by a percentage each year.
The difference between terms is not constant.
Q2. Write the first four terms of the AP.
(i) a = 10, d = 10
First four terms:
10, 20, 30, 40
(ii) a = -2, d = 0
First four terms:
-2, -2, -2, -2
(iii) a = 4, d = -3
First four terms:
4, 1, -2, -5
(iv) a = -1, d = 1 / 2
First four terms:
-1, -1 / 2, 0, 1 / 2
(v) a = -1.25, d = -0.25
First four terms:
-1.25, -1.50, -1.75, -2.00
Q3. For the following APs, write the first term and common difference.
(i) 3, 1, -1, -3, ...
First term = 3
Common difference = 1 - 3 = -2
(ii) -5, -1, 3, 7, ...
First term = -5
Common difference = -1 - (-5) = 4
(iii) 1 / 3, 5 / 3, 9 / 3, 13 / 3, ...
First term = 1 / 3
Common difference = 5 / 3 - 1 / 3 = 4 / 3
(iv) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, 3.9, ...
First term = 0.6
Common difference = 1.7 - 0.6 = 1.1
Q4. Which of the following are APs?
(i) 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The differences are 2, 4 and 8.
They are not equal.
(ii) 2, 5 / 2, 3, 7 / 2, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = 1 / 2
Next three terms:
4, 9 / 2, 5
(iii) -1.2, -3.2, -5.2, -7.2, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = -2
Next three terms:
-9.2, -11.2, -13.2
(iv) -10, -6, -2, 2, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = 4
Next three terms:
6, 10, 14
(v) 3, 3 + √2, 3 + 2√2, 3 + 3√2, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = √2
Next three terms:
3 + 4√2, 3 + 5√2, 3 + 6√2
(vi) 0.2, 0.22, 0.222, 0.2222, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The differences are not equal.
(vii) 0, -4, -8, -12, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = -4
Next three terms:
-16, -20, -24
(viii) -1 / 2, -1 / 2, -1 / 2, -1 / 2, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = 0
Next three terms:
-1 / 2, -1 / 2, -1 / 2
(ix) 1, 3, 9, 27, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The differences are 2, 6 and 18.
(x) a, 2a, 3a, 4a, ...
Answer: It is an AP.
Common difference = a
Next three terms:
5a, 6a, 7a
(xi) a, a², a³, a⁴, ...
Answer: It is not always an AP.
The differences depend on the value of a.
(xii) 2, 8, 18, 32, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The differences are 6, 10 and 14.
(xiii) √3, √6, √9, √12, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The differences are not equal.
(xiv) 1², 3², 5², 7², ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The terms are 1, 9, 25 and 49.
The differences are not equal.
(xv) 1², 5², 7², 7³, ...
Answer: Not an AP.
The terms do not have a constant difference.
Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Exercise 5.2 Solutions
Exercise 5.2 uses the nth term formula. This part of Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Arithmetic Progressions helps students find missing terms and positions.
Q1. Fill in the blanks in the table.
Formula:
aₙ = a + (n - 1)d
| Part | a | d | n | aₙ |
| (i) | 7 | 3 | 8 | 28 |
| (ii) | -18 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| (iii) | 46 | -3 | 18 | -5 |
| (iv) | -18.9 | 2.5 | 10 | 3.6 |
| (v) | 3.5 | 0 | 105 | 3.5 |
Q2. Choose the correct answer.
(i) 30th term of 10, 7, 4, ...
Given:
a = 10
d = -3
n = 30
Formula:
aₙ = a + (n - 1)d
a₃₀ = 10 + 29(-3)
a₃₀ = 10 - 87
a₃₀ = -77
Answer: Option (C) -77
(ii) 11th term of -3, -1 / 2, 2, ...
Given:
a = -3
d = 5 / 2
n = 11
a₁₁ = -3 + 10(5 / 2)
a₁₁ = -3 + 25
a₁₁ = 22
Answer: Option (B) 22
Q3. Find the missing terms.
(i) 2, __, 26
There are three terms.
Middle term = (2 + 26) / 2
Middle term = 14
Answer: 2, 14, 26
(ii) __, 13, __, 3
Let the AP be a, 13, b, 3.
Common difference = -5
First term = 18
Third term = 8
Answer: 18, 13, 8, 3
(iii) 5, __, __, 9½
Common difference = (9.5 - 5) / 3
Common difference = 1.5
Missing terms are:
6.5 and 8
Answer: 5, 6.5, 8, 9.5
(iv) -4, __, __, __, __, 6
Common difference = (6 - (-4)) / 5
Common difference = 2
Answer: -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6
(v) __, 38, __, __, __, -22
Common difference = -15
First term = 53
Answer: 53, 38, 23, 8, -7, -22
Q4. Which term of 3, 8, 13, 18, ... is 78?
Given:
a = 3
d = 5
aₙ = 78
Formula:
aₙ = a + (n - 1)d
78 = 3 + (n - 1)5
75 = 5(n - 1)
n - 1 = 15
n = 16
Final Answer:
78 is the 16th term.
Q5. Find the number of terms.
(i) 7, 13, 19, ..., 205
Given:
a = 7
d = 6
aₙ = 205
205 = 7 + (n - 1)6
198 = 6(n - 1)
n - 1 = 33
n = 34
Final Answer:
There are 34 terms.
(ii) 18, 15½, 13, ..., -47
Given:
a = 18
d = -2.5
aₙ = -47
-47 = 18 + (n - 1)(-2.5)
-65 = -2.5(n - 1)
n - 1 = 26
n = 27
Final Answer:
There are 27 terms.
Q6. Check whether -150 is a term of 11, 8, 5, 2, ...
Given:
a = 11
d = -3
aₙ = -150
-150 = 11 + (n - 1)(-3)
-161 = -3(n - 1)
n - 1 = 161 / 3
n is not a positive integer.
Final Answer:
-150 is not a term of the AP.
Q7. Find the 31st term of an AP whose 11th term is 38 and 16th term is 73.
Given:
a₁₁ = 38
a₁₆ = 73
a₁₆ - a₁₁ = 5d
73 - 38 = 5d
35 = 5d
d = 7
Now:
a₁₁ = a + 10d
38 = a + 70
a = -32
a₃₁ = a + 30d
a₃₁ = -32 + 210
a₃₁ = 178
Final Answer:
The 31st term is 178.
Q8. An AP has 50 terms. Its 3rd term is 12 and last term is 106. Find the 29th term.
Given:
a₃ = 12
a₅₀ = 106
a + 2d = 12
a + 49d = 106
Subtract:
47d = 94
d = 2
a + 4 = 12
a = 8
a₂₉ = a + 28d
a₂₉ = 8 + 56
a₂₉ = 64
Final Answer:
The 29th term is 64.
Q9. If the 3rd and 9th terms are 4 and -8, which term is zero?
Given:
a₃ = 4
a₉ = -8
a + 2d = 4
a + 8d = -8
Subtract:
6d = -12
d = -2
a + 2(-2) = 4
a = 8
For zero term:
0 = 8 + (n - 1)(-2)
2(n - 1) = 8
n - 1 = 4
n = 5
Final Answer:
The 5th term is zero.
Q10. The 17th term exceeds the 10th term by 7. Find d.
a₁₇ - a₁₀ = 7
[a + 16d] - [a + 9d] = 7
7d = 7
d = 1
Final Answer:
The common difference is 1.
Q11. Which term of 3, 15, 27, 39, ... is 132 more than its 54th term?
Given:
d = 12
Let the required term be nth term.
aₙ - a₅₄ = 132
(n - 54)d = 132
(n - 54)12 = 132
n - 54 = 11
n = 65
Final Answer:
The 65th term is 132 more than the 54th term.
Q12. Two APs have the same common difference. Their 100th terms differ by 100. Find the difference between their 1000th terms.
If two APs have the same common difference, the difference between their nth terms remains constant.
Difference between 100th terms = 100
So, difference between 1000th terms = 100
Final Answer:
The difference is 100.
Q13. How many three-digit numbers are divisible by 7?
Smallest three-digit multiple of 7 = 105
Largest three-digit multiple of 7 = 994
AP:
105, 112, 119, ..., 994
Given:
a = 105
d = 7
aₙ = 994
994 = 105 + (n - 1)7
889 = 7(n - 1)
n - 1 = 127
n = 128
Final Answer:
There are 128 three-digit numbers divisible by 7.
Q14. How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?
Smallest multiple = 12
Largest multiple = 248
AP:
12, 16, 20, ..., 248
Given:
a = 12
d = 4
aₙ = 248
248 = 12 + (n - 1)4
236 = 4(n - 1)
n - 1 = 59
n = 60
Final Answer:
There are 60 multiples of 4.
Q15. For what value of n are nth terms of two APs equal?
AP 1:
63, 65, 67, ...
a = 63, d = 2
nth term = 63 + (n - 1)2
nth term = 61 + 2n
AP 2:
3, 10, 17, ...
a = 3, d = 7
nth term = 3 + (n - 1)7
nth term = 7n - 4
Set them equal:
61 + 2n = 7n - 4
65 = 5n
n = 13
Final Answer:
The nth terms are equal when n = 13.
Q16. Determine the AP whose third term is 16 and 7th term exceeds 5th term by 12.
Given:
a₃ = 16
a + 2d = 16
Also:
a₇ - a₅ = 12
(a + 6d) - (a + 4d) = 12
2d = 12
d = 6
a + 2(6) = 16
a = 4
Final Answer:
The AP is 4, 10, 16, 22, ...
Q17. Find the 20th term from the last term of 3, 8, 13, ..., 253.
Given:
a = 3
d = 5
last term = 253
First, find total terms.
253 = 3 + (n - 1)5
250 = 5(n - 1)
n - 1 = 50
n = 51
20th term from the last = 32nd term from the start
a₃₂ = 3 + 31(5)
a₃₂ = 158
Final Answer:
The 20th term from the last is 158.
Q18. Sum of 4th and 8th terms is 24. Sum of 6th and 10th terms is 44. Find first three terms.
a₄ + a₈ = 24
(a + 3d) + (a + 7d) = 24
2a + 10d = 24
a + 5d = 12
Now:
a₆ + a₁₀ = 44
(a + 5d) + (a + 9d) = 44
2a + 14d = 44
a + 7d = 22
Subtract:
2d = 10
d = 5
a + 25 = 12
a = -13
First three terms:
-13, -8, -3
Final Answer:
The first three terms are -13, -8, -3.
Q19. Subba Rao started work in 1995 at Rs 5000 salary. Increment is Rs 200 each year. In which year did income reach Rs 7000?
Given:
a = 5000
d = 200
aₙ = 7000
7000 = 5000 + (n - 1)200
2000 = 200(n - 1)
n - 1 = 10
n = 11
The first year is 1995.
11th year = 2005
Final Answer:
His income reached Rs 7000 in 2005.
Q20. Ramkali saved Rs 5 in first week and increased weekly savings by Rs 1.75. In nth week, savings became Rs 20.75. Find n.
Given:
a = 5
d = 1.75
aₙ = 20.75
20.75 = 5 + (n - 1)1.75
15.75 = 1.75(n - 1)
n - 1 = 9
n = 10
Final Answer:
n = 10
Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Exercise 5.3 Solutions
Exercise 5.3 uses AP sum formulas. Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Exercise 5.3 is important for word problems and long calculations.
Q1. Find the sum of the following APs.
(i) 2, 7, 12, ..., to 10 terms
Given:
a = 2
d = 5
n = 10
Formula:
Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n - 1)d]
S₁₀ = 10 / 2 [4 + 9(5)]
S₁₀ = 5 [4 + 45]
S₁₀ = 245
Final Answer:
Sum = 245
(ii) -37, -33, -29, ..., to 12 terms
Given:
a = -37
d = 4
n = 12
S₁₂ = 12 / 2 [2(-37) + 11(4)]
S₁₂ = 6 [-74 + 44]
S₁₂ = -180
Final Answer:
Sum = -180
(iii) 0.6, 1.7, 2.8, ..., to 100 terms
Given:
a = 0.6
d = 1.1
n = 100
S₁₀₀ = 100 / 2 [2(0.6) + 99(1.1)]
S₁₀₀ = 50 [1.2 + 108.9]
S₁₀₀ = 5505
Final Answer:
Sum = 5505
(iv) 1 / 15, 1 / 12, 1 / 10, ..., to 11 terms
Given:
a = 1 / 15
d = 1 / 60
n = 11
S₁₁ = 11 / 2 [2 / 15 + 10 / 60]
S₁₁ = 11 / 2 [8 / 60 + 10 / 60]
S₁₁ = 11 / 2 × 18 / 60
S₁₁ = 33 / 20
Final Answer:
Sum = 33 / 20
Q2. Find the sums.
(i) 7 + 10½ + 14 + ... + 84
Given:
a = 7
d = 3.5
last term = 84
Find n:
84 = 7 + (n - 1)3.5
77 = 3.5(n - 1)
n - 1 = 22
n = 23
Now:
S = n / 2 (a + l)
S = 23 / 2 (7 + 84)
S = 23 / 2 × 91
S = 2093 / 2
Final Answer:
Sum = 2093 / 2
(ii) 34 + 32 + 30 + ... + 10
Given:
a = 34
d = -2
l = 10
10 = 34 + (n - 1)(-2)
-24 = -2(n - 1)
n = 13
S = 13 / 2 (34 + 10)
S = 286
Final Answer:
Sum = 286
(iii) -5 + (-8) + (-11) + ... + (-230)
Given:
a = -5
d = -3
l = -230
-230 = -5 + (n - 1)(-3)
-225 = -3(n - 1)
n = 76
S = 76 / 2 (-5 - 230)
S = 38(-235)
S = -8930
Final Answer:
Sum = -8930
Q3. Find the missing values.
(i) a = 5, d = 3, aₙ = 50
50 = 5 + (n - 1)3
45 = 3(n - 1)
n = 16
Sₙ = 16 / 2 (5 + 50)
Sₙ = 440
Final Answer:
n = 16, Sₙ = 440
(ii) a = 7, a₁₃ = 35
35 = 7 + 12d
28 = 12d
d = 7 / 3
S₁₃ = 13 / 2 (7 + 35)
S₁₃ = 273
Final Answer:
d = 7 / 3, S₁₃ = 273
(iii) a₁₂ = 37, d = 3
37 = a + 11(3)
37 = a + 33
a = 4
S₁₂ = 12 / 2 (4 + 37)
S₁₂ = 246
Final Answer:
a = 4, S₁₂ = 246
(iv) a₃ = 15, S₁₀ = 125
a + 2d = 15
S₁₀ = 10 / 2 [2a + 9d]
125 = 5[2a + 9d]
2a + 9d = 25
Using a = 15 - 2d:
2(15 - 2d) + 9d = 25
30 - 4d + 9d = 25
5d = -5
d = -1
a = 17
a₁₀ = 17 + 9(-1)
a₁₀ = 8
Final Answer:
d = -1, a₁₀ = 8
(v) d = 5, S₉ = 75
S₉ = 9 / 2 [2a + 8d]
75 = 9 / 2 [2a + 40]
150 = 9[2a + 40]
2a + 40 = 50 / 3
2a = -70 / 3
a = -35 / 3
a₉ = a + 8d
a₉ = -35 / 3 + 40
a₉ = 85 / 3
Final Answer:
a = -35 / 3, a₉ = 85 / 3
(vi) a = 2, d = 8, Sₙ = 90
90 = n / 2 [2(2) + (n - 1)8]
90 = n / 2 [4 + 8n - 8]
90 = n / 2 [8n - 4]
90 = n(4n - 2)
4n² - 2n - 90 = 0
2n² - n - 45 = 0
n = 5
aₙ = 2 + 4(8)
aₙ = 34
Final Answer:
n = 5, aₙ = 34
(vii) a = 8, aₙ = 62, Sₙ = 210
Sₙ = n / 2 (a + aₙ)
210 = n / 2 (8 + 62)
210 = 35n
n = 6
62 = 8 + 5d
54 = 5d
d = 54 / 5
Final Answer:
n = 6, d = 54 / 5
(viii) aₙ = 4, d = 2, Sₙ = -14
a = aₙ - (n - 1)d
a = 4 - 2(n - 1)
a = 6 - 2n
Sₙ = n / 2 (a + aₙ)
-14 = n / 2 (6 - 2n + 4)
-14 = n / 2 (10 - 2n)
-14 = n(5 - n)
n² - 5n - 14 = 0
n = 7
a = 6 - 14
a = -8
Final Answer:
n = 7, a = -8
(ix) a = 3, n = 8, S = 192
192 = 8 / 2 [2(3) + 7d]
192 = 4[6 + 7d]
48 = 6 + 7d
7d = 42
d = 6
Final Answer:
d = 6
(x) l = 28, S = 144, n = 9
S = n / 2 (a + l)
144 = 9 / 2 (a + 28)
288 = 9(a + 28)
32 = a + 28
a = 4
Final Answer:
a = 4
Q4. How many terms of 9, 17, 25, ... give sum 636?
Given:
a = 9
d = 8
Sₙ = 636
636 = n / 2 [18 + (n - 1)8]
636 = n / 2 [8n + 10]
1272 = n(8n + 10)
4n² + 5n - 636 = 0
n = 12
Final Answer:
12 terms must be taken.
Q5. First term is 5, last term is 45 and sum is 400. Find n and d.
Given:
a = 5
l = 45
S = 400
S = n / 2 (a + l)
400 = n / 2 (50)
400 = 25n
n = 16
Now:
l = a + (n - 1)d
45 = 5 + 15d
40 = 15d
d = 8 / 3
Final Answer:
n = 16, d = 8 / 3
Q6. First and last terms are 17 and 350. Common difference is 9.
Given:
a = 17
l = 350
d = 9
Find n:
350 = 17 + (n - 1)9
333 = 9(n - 1)
n - 1 = 37
n = 38
Find sum:
S = n / 2 (a + l)
S = 38 / 2 (17 + 350)
S = 19 × 367
S = 6973
Final Answer:
There are 38 terms and their sum is 6973.
Q7. Find sum of first 22 terms when d = 7 and 22nd term is 149.
Given:
d = 7
a₂₂ = 149
Find a:
149 = a + 21(7)
149 = a + 147
a = 2
Now:
S₂₂ = 22 / 2 (2 + 149)
S₂₂ = 11 × 151
S₂₂ = 1661
Final Answer:
Sum = 1661
Q8. Find sum of first 51 terms whose second and third terms are 14 and 18.
Given:
a₂ = 14
a₃ = 18
d = 18 - 14
d = 4
a + d = 14
a = 10
S₅₁ = 51 / 2 [2(10) + 50(4)]
S₅₁ = 51 / 2 [220]
S₅₁ = 5610
Final Answer:
Sum = 5610
Q9. If sum of first 7 terms is 49 and first 17 terms is 289, find Sₙ.
S₇ = 49
7 / 2 [2a + 6d] = 49
2a + 6d = 14
a + 3d = 7
S₁₇ = 289
17 / 2 [2a + 16d] = 289
2a + 16d = 34
a + 8d = 17
Subtract:
5d = 10
d = 2
a + 6 = 7
a = 1
Now:
Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n - 1)d]
Sₙ = n / 2 [2 + 2(n - 1)]
Sₙ = n / 2 [2n]
Sₙ = n²
Final Answer:
Sₙ = n²
Q10. Show that the sequence is an AP and find sum of first 15 terms.
(i) aₙ = 3 + 4n
a₁ = 7
a₂ = 11
a₃ = 15
The common difference is 4.
So, it is an AP.
S₁₅ = 15 / 2 (a₁ + a₁₅)
a₁₅ = 3 + 4(15)
a₁₅ = 63
S₁₅ = 15 / 2 (7 + 63)
S₁₅ = 525
Final Answer:
Sum = 525
(ii) aₙ = 9 - 5n
a₁ = 4
a₂ = -1
a₃ = -6
The common difference is -5.
So, it is an AP.
a₁₅ = 9 - 5(15)
a₁₅ = -66
S₁₅ = 15 / 2 (4 - 66)
S₁₅ = -465
Final Answer:
Sum = -465
Q11. If Sₙ = 4n - n², find terms.
S₁ = 4(1) - 1²
S₁ = 3
First term = 3
S₂ = 4(2) - 2²
S₂ = 4
Second term = S₂ - S₁
Second term = 4 - 3
Second term = 1
S₃ = 4(3) - 3²
S₃ = 3
Third term = S₃ - S₂
Third term = 3 - 4
Third term = -1
10th term:
a₁₀ = S₁₀ - S₉
S₁₀ = 40 - 100 = -60
S₉ = 36 - 81 = -45
a₁₀ = -60 - (-45)
a₁₀ = -15
nth term:
aₙ = Sₙ - Sₙ₋₁
aₙ = 5 - 2n
Final Answer:
First term = 3
Second term = 1
Third term = -1
10th term = -15
nth term = 5 - 2n
Q12. Find the sum of first 40 positive integers divisible by 6.
The numbers are:
6, 12, 18, ..., 240
Given:
a = 6
d = 6
n = 40
S₄₀ = 40 / 2 (6 + 240)
S₄₀ = 20 × 246
S₄₀ = 4920
Final Answer:
Sum = 4920
Q13. Find the sum of first 15 multiples of 8.
The numbers are:
8, 16, 24, ..., 120
S₁₅ = 15 / 2 (8 + 120)
S₁₅ = 15 / 2 × 128
S₁₅ = 960
Final Answer:
Sum = 960
Q14. Find the sum of odd numbers between 0 and 50.
Odd numbers are:
1, 3, 5, ..., 49
Given:
a = 1
l = 49
n = 25
S = 25 / 2 (1 + 49)
S = 25 / 2 × 50
S = 625
Final Answer:
Sum = 625
Q15. Penalty starts at Rs 200 and increases by Rs 50 each day. Find penalty for 30 days.
Given:
a = 200
d = 50
n = 30
S₃₀ = 30 / 2 [2(200) + 29(50)]
S₃₀ = 15 [400 + 1450]
S₃₀ = 15 × 1850
S₃₀ = 27750
Final Answer:
The contractor must pay Rs 27,750.
Q16. Rs 700 is divided into 7 prizes. Each prize is Rs 20 less than the previous prize.
Given:
n = 7
d = -20
S = 700
S₇ = 7 / 2 [2a + 6(-20)]
700 = 7 / 2 [2a - 120]
200 = 2a - 120
2a = 320
a = 160
Prizes:
160, 140, 120, 100, 80, 60, 40
Final Answer:
The prizes are Rs 160, Rs 140, Rs 120, Rs 100, Rs 80, Rs 60 and Rs 40.
Q17. Students plant trees from Class I to XII. There are three sections in each class.
Each section of Class I plants 1 tree.
Each section of Class II plants 2 trees.
This continues till Class XII.
Total trees per one section:
1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 12
S₁₂ = 12 / 2 (1 + 12)
S₁₂ = 78
There are three sections.
Total trees = 3 × 78
Total trees = 234
Final Answer:
Students will plant 234 trees.
Q18. Find the total length of a spiral with 13 semicircles.
Radii are:
0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, ..., 6.5 cm
Length of a semicircle = πr
Total length = π × sum of radii
Sum of radii:
S₁₃ = 13 / 2 (0.5 + 6.5)
S₁₃ = 13 / 2 × 7
S₁₃ = 45.5
Total length = 45.5π
Using π = 22 / 7:
Total length = 45.5 × 22 / 7
Total length = 143 cm
Final Answer:
Total length = 143 cm
Q19. 200 logs are stacked with 20 logs in bottom row, 19 in next row, and so on.
The rows form an AP:
20, 19, 18, ...
Given:
a = 20
d = -1
Sₙ = 200
200 = n / 2 [2(20) + (n - 1)(-1)]
200 = n / 2 [40 - n + 1]
400 = n(41 - n)
n² - 41n + 400 = 0
(n - 16)(n - 25) = 0
n = 16 or 25
n = 25 is not possible because top row would be negative.
So, n = 16.
Top row:
a₁₆ = 20 + 15(-1)
a₁₆ = 5
Final Answer:
There are 16 rows, and the top row has 5 logs.
Q20. Find total distance in the potato race.
Distances of potatoes from the bucket are:
5, 8, 11, ..., 32
There are 10 potatoes.
Each potato needs a trip to and from the bucket.
Total distance = 2 × sum of distances
Find sum:
S₁₀ = 10 / 2 [2(5) + 9(3)]
S₁₀ = 5 [10 + 27]
S₁₀ = 185
Total distance = 2 × 185
Total distance = 370 m
Final Answer:
The competitor runs 370 m.
Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 Exercise 5.4 Solutions
Exercise 5.4 is optional in the NCERT book. These answers are useful for extra AP practice.
Q1. Which term of 121, 117, 113, ... is the first negative term?
Given:
a = 121
d = -4
For first negative term:
aₙ < 0
121 + (n - 1)(-4) < 0
121 - 4n + 4 < 0
125 - 4n < 0
125 < 4n
n > 31.25
So, the first integer value is 32.
Final Answer:
The 32nd term is the first negative term.
Q2. Sum of 3rd and 7th terms is 6. Product is 8. Find sum of first 16 terms.
a₃ + a₇ = 6
(a + 2d) + (a + 6d) = 6
2a + 8d = 6
a + 4d = 3
Also:
a₃ × a₇ = 8
(a + 2d)(a + 6d) = 8
Let a + 4d = 3.
Then:
(3 - 2d)(3 + 2d) = 8
9 - 4d² = 8
4d² = 1
d = 1 / 2 or -1 / 2
If d = 1 / 2:
a = 1
S₁₆ = 16 / 2 [2(1) + 15(1 / 2)]
S₁₆ = 76
If d = -1 / 2:
a = 5
S₁₆ = 16 / 2 [2(5) + 15(-1 / 2)]
S₁₆ = 20
Final Answer:
The sum is 76 or 20.
Q3. Ladder rungs are 25 cm apart. Length decreases from 45 cm to 25 cm.
Distance between top and bottom rung = 2.5 m = 250 cm
Number of spaces = 250 / 25 = 10
Number of rungs = 10 + 1 = 11
Lengths form an AP.
Given:
a = 45
l = 25
n = 11
S = n / 2 (a + l)
S = 11 / 2 (45 + 25)
S = 11 / 2 × 70
S = 385 cm
Final Answer:
Length of wood required = 385 cm, or 3.85 m
Q4. Houses are numbered 1 to 49. Find x.
Sum before house x = Sum after house x
Total sum from 1 to 49:
S₄₉ = 49 / 2 (1 + 49)
S₄₉ = 1225
Sum before x:
1 + 2 + ... + (x - 1) = x(x - 1) / 2
Sum after x:
1225 - x(x + 1) / 2
Now:
x(x - 1) / 2 = 1225 - x(x + 1) / 2
x(x - 1) = 2450 - x(x + 1)
2x² = 2450
x² = 1225
x = 35
Final Answer:
The value of x is 35.
Q5. Find concrete volume for 15 steps.
Each step is 50 m long.
Rise = 1 / 4 m
Tread = 1 / 2 m
Volume of first step:
50 × 1 / 2 × 1 / 4 = 25 / 4 cubic metres
The volumes form an AP:
25 / 4, 2(25 / 4), 3(25 / 4), ..., 15(25 / 4)
Total volume:
25 / 4 × (1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 15)
Sum from 1 to 15:
15 / 2 (1 + 15) = 120
Total volume = 25 / 4 × 120
Total volume = 750 cubic metres
Final Answer:
Concrete required = 750 m³
Arithmetic Progressions Class 10 NCERT Solutions: Key Concepts
Arithmetic Progressions Class 10 NCERT Solutions depend on three values: first term, common difference and term number. Students should identify these before using any formula.
Arithmetic Progression
An AP is a list where each term is formed by adding a fixed number.
That fixed number is called the common difference.
Common Difference
Common difference = Second term - First term
If the same difference continues, the sequence is an AP.
nth Term
Formula:
aₙ = a + (n - 1)d
Use this when the question asks for a term or term position.
Sum of First n Terms
Formula:
Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n - 1)d]
Use this when first term, common difference and number of terms are known.
Sum Using Last Term
Formula:
Sₙ = n / 2 (a + l)
Use this when first term, last term and number of terms are known.
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 5: Formula Use
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 questions become easier when students select the right formula first. This table shows the best formula for each question type.
| Question Type | Formula | Example Use |
| Check AP | d = next term - previous term | Exercise 5.1 |
| Find nth term | aₙ = a + (n - 1)d | Exercise 5.2 |
| Find number of terms | aₙ = a + (n - 1)d | Term position questions |
| Find sum | Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n - 1)d] | Exercise 5.3 |
| Sum with last term | Sₙ = n / 2 (a + l) | Logs, prizes and finite APs |
Salary and Increment Questions
Salary questions usually form an AP.
The starting salary is the first term, and annual increment is the common difference.
Rows and Arrangement Questions
Rows of plants, logs and ladder rungs often form finite APs.
The first row and last row help find n or total sum.
Savings and Penalty Questions
Savings and penalty questions usually ask for total amount.
Students should use the sum formula, not only the nth term formula.
Missing Term Questions
Missing terms need equal spacing between first and last terms.
Find the common difference, then fill terms one by one.
Optional AP Problems
Optional questions combine AP with geometry or conditions.
They should be solved slowly by forming the AP first.
Useful Links for Class 10 Maths NCERT Solutions
| Section | Useful Links |
| Class 10 Maths NCERT Solutions | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths |
| Chapter 1 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 1 |
| Chapter 2 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 2 |
| Chapter 3 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 3 |
| Chapter 4 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 4 |
| Chapter 5 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 5 |
| Chapter 6 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 6 |
| Chapter 7 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 7 |
| Chapter 8 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 8 |
| Chapter 9 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 9 |
| Chapter 10 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 10 |
| Chapter 11 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 11 |
| Chapter 12 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 12 |
| Chapter 13 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 13 |
| Chapter 14 | NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 14 |
Q.1
Ans.
Q.2
Ans.
Q.3
Ans.
Q.4 Fill in the blanks in the following table, given that a is the first term, d the common difference and an the nth term of the AP:

Ans.
Q.5
Ans.
Q.6
Ans.
Q.7 Which term of the AP: 3, 8, 13, 18, . . . , is 78?
Ans.
Q.8
Ans.
Q.9 Check whether –150 is a term of the AP: 11, 8, 5, 2, . . .
Ans.
Q.10 Find the 31st term of an AP whose 11th term is 38 and the 16th term is 73.
Ans.
Q.11 An AP consists of 50 terms of which 3rd term is 12 and the last term is 106. Find the 29th term.
Ans.
Q.12 If the 3rd and the 9th terms of an AP are 4 and –8 respectively, which term of this AP is zero?
Ans.
Q.13 The 17th term of an AP exceeds its 10th term by 7. Find the common difference.
Ans.
Q.14 Which term of the AP: 3, 15, 27, 39, . . . will be 132 more than its 54th term?
Ans.
Q.15 Two APs have the same common difference. The difference between their 100th terms is 100, what is the difference between their 1000th terms?
Ans.
Q.16 How many three-digit numbers are divisible by 7?
Ans.
Q.17 How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?
Ans.
Q.18 For what value of n, are the nth terms of two APs: 63, 65, 67, . . . and 3, 10, 17, . . . equal?
Ans.
Q.19 Determine the AP whose third term is 16 and the 7th term exceeds the 5th term by 12.
Ans.
Q.20 Find the 20th term from the last term of the AP: 3, 8, 13, . . ., 253.
Ans.
Q.21 The sum of the 4th and 8th terms of an AP is 24 and the sum of the 6th and 10th terms is 44. Find the first three terms of the AP.
Ans.
Q.22 Subba Rao started work in 1995 at an annual salary of ₹ 5000 and received an increment of ₹ 200 each year. In which year did his income reach ₹ 7000?
Ans.
Q.23 Ramkali saved ₹ 5 in the first week of a year and then increased her weekly savings by ₹ 1.75. If in the nth week, her weekly savings become ₹ 20.75, find n.
Ans.
Q.24
Ans.
Q.25
Ans.
Q.26
Ans.
Q.27
Ans.
Q.28 The first term of an AP is 5, the last term is 45 and the sum is 400. Find the number of terms and the common difference.
Ans.
Q.29 The first and the last terms of an AP are 17 and 350 respectively. If the common difference is 9, how many terms are there and what is their sum?
Ans.
Q.30 Find the sum of first 22 terms of an AP in which d = 7 and 22nd term is 149.
Ans.
Q.31 Find the sum of first 51 terms of an AP whose second and third terms are 14 and 18 respectively.
Ans.
Q.32 If the sum of first 7 terms of an AP is 49 and that of 17 terms is 289, find the sum of first n terms.
Ans.
Q.33 Show that a1, a2, . . ., an, . . . form an AP where an is defined as below :
(i) an = 3 + 4n (ii) an = 9 – 5n
Also find the sum of the first 15 terms in each case.
Ans.
Q.34 If the sum of the first n terms of an AP is 4n – n2, what is the first term (that is S1)? What is the sum of first two terms? What is the second term? Similarly, find the 3rd, the 10th and the nth terms.
Ans.
Q.35 Find the sum of the first 40 positive integers divisible by 6.
Ans.
Q.36 Find the sum of the first 15 multiples of 8.
Ans.
Q.37 Find the sum of the odd numbers between 0 and 50.
Ans.
Q.38 A contract on construction job specifies a penalty for delay of completion beyond a certain date as follows: ₹ 200 for the first day, ₹ 250 for the second day, ₹300 for the third day, etc., the penalty for each succeeding day being ₹ 50 more than for the preceding day. How much money the contractor has to pay as penalty, if he has delayed the work by 30 days?
Ans.
Q.39 A sum of ₹ 700 is to be used to give seven cash prizes to students of a school for their overall academic performance. If each prize is ₹ 20 less than its preceding prize, find the value of each of the prizes.
Ans.
Q.40 In a school, students thought of planting trees in and around the school to reduce air pollution. It was decided that the number of trees, that each section of each class will plant, will be the same as the class, in which they are studying, e.g., a section of Class I will plant 1 tree, a section of Class II will plant 2 trees and so on till Class XII. There are three sections of each class. How many trees will be planted by the students?
Ans.
Q.41 A spiral is made up of successive semicircles, with centres alternately at A and B, starting with centre at A, of radii 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, . . . as shown in the following figure. What is the total length of such a spiral made up of thirteen consecutive semicircles? (Take π =22/7)

[Hint: Length of successive semicircles is l1, l2, l3, l4, . . . with centres at A, B, A, B, . . ., respectively.]
Ans.
Q.42 200 logs are stacked in the following manner: 20 logs in the bottom row, 19 in the next row, 18 in the row next to it and so on (see the following figure). In how many rows are the 200 logs placed and how many logs are in the top row?

Ans.
Q.43 In a potato race, a bucket is placed at the starting point, which is 5 m from the first potato, and the other potatoes are placed 3 m apart in a straight line. There are ten potatoes in the line(see the following figure)

A competitor starts from the bucket, picks up the nearest potato, runs back with it, drops it in the bucket, runs back to pick up the next potato, runs to the bucket to drop it in, and she continues in the same way until all the potatoes are in the bucket. What is the total distance the competitor has to run?
[Hint: To pick up the first potato and the second potato, the total distance (in metres) run by a competitor is 2 × 5 + 2 × (5 + 3)]
Ans.

Q.44 Which term of the AP: 121, 117, 113, . . ., is its first negative term?
[Hint: Find n for an < 0]
Ans.
Q.45 The sum of the third and the seventh terms of an AP is 6 and their product is 8. Find the sum of first sixteen terms of the AP.
Ans.
Q.46

Ans.
Q.47 The houses of a row are numbered consecutively from 1 to 49. Show that there is a value of x such that the sum of the numbers of the houses preceding the house numbered x is equal to the sum of the numbers of the houses following it. Find this value of x.
[Hint: Sx–1 = S49 – Sx]
Ans.
Q.48

Ans.

Q.49
Ans.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Related Chapters
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The main nth term formula is aₙ = a + (n – 1)d. The main sum formula is Sₙ = n / 2 [2a + (n – 1)d].
Chapter 5 has Exercise 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and optional Exercise 5.4. The main exam-focused questions come from AP identification, nth term and sum.
Find the difference between consecutive terms. If the difference remains the same throughout, the sequence is an AP.
Penalty, prizes, trees, spiral, logs and potato race questions are important. They test AP sum formulas in word problems.
Students often confuse nth term with sum of terms. Word problems asking total amount, total distance or total production need the sum formula.
