(a) If \(17x = 375^{2} - 356^{2}\), find the exact value of x. (b) If

MATHEMATICS
WAEC 1992

(a) If \(17x = 375^{2} - 356^{2}\), find the exact value of x.

(b) If \(4^{x} = 2^{\frac{1}{2}} \times 8\), find x.

(c) The sum of the first 9 terms of an A.P is 72 and the sum of the next 4 terms is 71, find the A.P.

Explanation

(a) \(17x = 375^{2} - 356^{2}\)

\(17x = (375 + 356)(375 - 356)\)

\(17x = (731)(19)\)

\(x = \frac{731 \times 19}{17} = 817\)

(b) \(4^{x} = 2^{\frac{1}{2}} \times 8\)

\(2^{2x} = 2^{\frac{1}{2}} \times 2^{3}\)

\(2^{2x} = 2^{3\frac{1}{2}}\)

\(\implies 2x = 3\frac{1}{2} \implies x = \frac{7}{4}\)

(c) \(S_{n} = \frac{n}{2} (2a + (n - 1)d)\) (sum of terms of an A.P)

\(S_{9} = \frac{9}{2} [2a + (9 - 1) d] = \frac{9}{2} [2a + 8d]\)

\(72 = 9(a + 4d) \implies 8 = a + 4d ... (1)\)

\(S_{9 + 4} = S_{13} = \frac{13}{2} [2a + (13 - 1)d] = \frac{13}{2} [2a + 12d]\)

\(72 + 71 = 143 = 13(a + 6d) \implies 11 = a + 6d ... (2)\)

\((2) - (1) : 2d = 3 \implies d = \frac{3}{2}\)

\(a + 4(1\frac{1}{2}) = 8 \implies a + 6 = 8\)

\(\implies a = 8 - 6 = 2\)

\(\therefore \text{The A.P is } 2, 3\frac{1}{2}, 5, 6\frac{1}{2}, 8,...\)



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