Let Sn denote the sum of n terms of an A.P. whose first term is a. If the common difference d is given by d = Sn – kSn–1 + Sn–2, then k =

Let a be the first term, n be the number of terms and d be the common difference of AP.


Given d = Sn – kSn–1 + Sn–2.


Now let n = 3


So, AP is : a, a + d, a + 2d


And d = S3 – k S3–1 + S3–2


d = S3 – k S2 + S1 ..............(1)


Sum of n terms of an AP is given as:


Sn = () x {2a + (n–1) d}


Now S1 = a


S2 = () x (2a + (2–1) d) (n =2)


S2 = (2a + d)


S3 = () x (2a + (3–1)d) (n =3)


S3 = x (2a + 2d)


S3 = 3(a + d)


S3 = 3a + 3d


Putting values of S1, S2 and S3 in equation 1, we get


d = 3a + 3d – k (2a + d) + a


d = 4a + 3d – k (2a + d)


k (2a + d) = 4a + 3d – d


k (2a + d) = 4a + 2d


k (2a + d) = 2(2a + d)


k = 2

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