Check whether – 150 is a term of the AP : 11, 8, 5, 2 . .
The given list of number is
11, 8, 5, 2,.....
a2 – ax = 8 – 11 = –3
a2 – a2 = 5 – 8 = –3
And, a4 – a3 = 2 – 5 = –3
i.e., ak + 1 – ak is the same every time. So, the given list of numbers form an A .P. with first term a = 11 and the common difference d = –3.
Let –150 be the nth term of the given A .P.
Then, an = -150
a + (n - 1)d = - 150
11 + (n - 1) (-3) = - 150
-3(n - 1 ) = - 150 -11
-3 (n - 1) = -161
3 ( n - 1) = - 161
3(n - 1) = 161