Check whether – 150 is a term of the AP : 11, 8, 5, 2 . . .

Solution:

Given AP: 11, 8, 5, 2,…

First term, a = a1 = 11

Common difference, d = a2− a1 = 8−11 = −3

Let −150 be the nth term of the AP.

We know that,

an = a + (n −1) d

-150 = 11+ (n – 1)(-3)

-150 = 11 – 3n + 3

-164 = -3n

n = 164/3

Clearly, n is not an integer but a fraction.

Therefore, –150 is not a term of the given AP.