Calculator Technique for Arithmetic Progression

Problem: Arithmetic Progression

The 6th term of an arithmetic progression is 12 and the 30th term is 180.
1. What is the common difference of the sequence?
2. Determine the first term?
3. Find the 52nd term.
4. If the nth term is 250, find n.
5. Calculate the sum of the first 60 terms.
6. Compute for the sum between 12th and 37th terms, inclusive.

The formula an = am + d(n - m) is linear in n. In calculator, we input n at X column and an at Y column.

1. Bring your calculator to Linear Regression in STAT mode:

MODE → 3: STAT → 2: A+Bx
A = a0
B = d or common difference
common difference,
d=7
2. Input the coordinates.
X (for n) Y (for an)
6 12
30 180

To find the first term (a1):

1. AC → SHIFT → 1[STAT] → 5: Reg → 5:( ^y )
2. and calculate , be sure to place 1 in front of ^y .
1 ^y =−23 →   answer for the first term

To find the 52nd term,

1. AC → SHIFT → 1[STAT] → 5: Reg → 5:( ^y )
2. and make sure you place 52 in front of ^y .
52 ^y =3 34  →   answer for the 52nd term

To find n for a n=250 ,

1. AC → SHIFT → 1[STAT] → 5: Reg → 4:( ^x )
250 ^x =4 0 →   answer for n
 Sum of Arithmetic Progression by Calculator
Sum of the first 60 terms:

AC → SHIFT → log [Σ] → ALPHA → ) [X] → SHIFT → 1[STAT] → 5:Reg →

5: ^y → SHIFT → )[,] → 1 → SHIFT → )[,] → 60 → )

1. The calculator will display

Σ(X ^y ,1,60)
2. then press [=].
Σ(X ^y ,1,60) = 11010   ←   answer

Sum from 12th to 37th terms,

Σ(X ^y ,12,37) = 3679   ←   answer