Which term of the AP is its first negative term?
Here, First term = a = 20
Common difference = d = (77/4) - 20 = (-3/4)
Let nth term of the AP be its first negative term.
∴ an <0
Since, nth term of an AP is given by:
an = a + (n - 1)d
∴ a + (n - 1)d < 0
⇒ 20 + (n - 1) × (-3/4) < 0
⇒ 80 + (n - 1) × (-3) < 0 (multiplying both sides by 4)
⇒ 80 - 3n + 3 < 0
⇒ - 3n < - 83
⇒ 3n > 83
⇒ n > 27.66
Since n is an integer, therefore n must be 28.
∴ 28th term will be the first negative term of the AP.