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Date May 2021 Marks available 3 Reference code 21M.2.SL.TZ2.3
Level Standard Level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term Find Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

An arithmetic sequence has first term 60 and common difference -2.5.

Given that the kth term of the sequence is zero, find the value of k.

[2]
a.

Let Sn denote the sum of the first n terms of the sequence.

Find the maximum value of Sn.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

attempt to use u1+n-1d=0            (M1)

60-2.5k-1=0

k=25                          A1

 

[2 marks]

a.

METHOD 1

attempting to express Sn in terms of n            (M1)

use of a graph or a table to attempt to find the maximum sum            (M1)

=750                A1

 

METHOD 2


EITHER

recognizing maximum occurs at n=25           (M1)

S25=25260+0, S25=2522×60+24×-2.5          (A1)


OR

attempting to calculate S24          (M1)

S24=2422×60+23×-2.5          (A1)


THEN

=750                A1

 

[3 marks]

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Topic 1—Number and algebra » SL 1.2—Arithmetic sequences and series
Show 82 related questions
Topic 2—Functions » SL 2.6—Quadratic function
Topic 1—Number and algebra
Topic 2—Functions

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