Find the sum
1 + (–2) + (–5) + (–8) + …+ (–236)
Here First term, a = 1
Common difference, d = - 2 - 1 = - 3
Last term, an = - 236
As we know
an = a + (n - 1)d
- 236 = 1 + (n - 1) (- 3)
- 236 - 1 = (n - 1) (- 3)
- 237 = (n - 1) (- 3)
n - 1 = 79
n = 80
Using the sum of first n terms formula, if last term is given
i.e,
= 80/2(1 - 236)
= 40 (- 235)
= - 9400