If an denotes the nth term of the AP 3, 8, 13, 18, ... then what is the value of (a30 - a20)?
Here, First term = a = 3
Common difference = d = 8 - 2 = 5
To find: a30 – a20
So, nth term is given by:
an = a + (n - 1)d
∴ 30th term is:
a30 = 3 + (30 - 1) × 5
= 3 + 145
= 148
Now, 20th term is:
a20 = 3 + (20 - 1) × 5
= 3 + 95
= 98
Now, (a30 – a20) = 148 - 98
= 50
∴ (a30 – a20) = 50