College Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305115546
ISBN 13: 978-1-30511-554-5

Chapter 8, Sequences and Series - Chapter 8 Review - Exercises - Page 640: 52

Answer

Arithmetic; $1650$

Work Step by Step

Let's note by $\{a_n\}$ the given sequence. The sum of its first $k$ terms is: $$S_k=\dfrac{1}{3}+\dfrac{2}{3}+1+\dfrac{4}{3}\dots+33.$$ The terms of the sequence are: $$\begin{align*} a_1&=\dfrac{1}{3}\\ a_2&=\dfrac{2}{3}\\ a_3&=1\\ a_4&=\dfrac{4}{3}\\ &\dots\\ a_k&=33. \end{align*}$$ We notice that the common difference of consecutive terms is: $$\dfrac{2}{3}-\dfrac{1}{3}=1-\dfrac{2}{3}=\dfrac{4}{3}-1=\dfrac{1}{3},$$ therefore constant, so the sequence is arithmetic with the elements: $$\begin{cases} a_1=\dfrac{1}{3}\\ d=\dfrac{1}{3}. \end{cases}$$ Before calculating $S_k$ we must find $k$ (the number of terms in the sum): $$\begin{align*} a_k&=a_1+(k-1)d\\ 33&=\dfrac{1}{3}+(k-1)\left(\dfrac{1}{3}\right)\\ 99&=1+k-1\\ k&=99. \end{align*}$$ Calculate the partial sum $S_{99}$ using the formula: $$S_n=\dfrac{n(a_1+a_n)}{2}.$$ For $n=99$ we have: $$S_{99}=\dfrac{99\left(\dfrac{1}{3}+33\right)}{2}=1650.$$
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