Q. If $a_{1},\ a_{2},\ a_{3},\ldots,\ a_{4001}$ are terms of an AP such that $\frac{1}{a_{1}a_{2}} + \frac{1}{a_{2}a_{3}} + ... + \frac{1}{a_{4000}a_{4001}} = 10\$ and $a_{2} + a_{4000} = 50,$ then $|a_{1} - a_{4001}|$ is equal to

A) 20
B) 30
C) 40
D) None of these
Explanation

(b)
Now, $\frac{1}{a_{1}a_{2}} + \frac{1}{a_{2}a_{3}} + ... + \frac{1}{a_{4000}a_{4001}}$
$= \frac{1}{d}\left( \frac{a_{2} - a_{1}}{a_{1}a_{2}} + \frac{a_{3} - a_{2}}{a_{2}a_{3}} + ... + \frac{a_{4001} - a_{4000}}{a_{4000}a_{4001}} \right)$
$= \frac{1}{d}\left( \frac{1}{a_{1}} - \frac{1}{a_{2}} + \frac{1}{a_{2}} - \frac{1}{a_{3}} + ... + \frac{1}{a_{4000}} - \frac{1}{a_{4001}} \right)$
$= \frac{1}{d}\left( \frac{1}{a_{1}} - \frac{1}{a_{4001}} \right) = \frac{400}{a_{1}a_{4001}} = 10$ (given)
$\Rightarrow \ \ a_{1}a_{4001} = 400\$ …(i)
$a_{1} + a_{4001} = a_{2} + a_{4000} = 50$ …(ii)
$\therefore\ \ \left( a_{1} - a_{4001} \right)^{2} = \left( a_{1} + a_{4000} \right)^{2} - 4a_{1}a_{4001}$
$= (50)^{2} - 1600$
$\Rightarrow \left| a_{1} - a_{4001} \right| = 30$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.