Question

Assertion (A): The sum of the first fifteen terms of the AP $21, 18, 15, 12, \dots$ is zero.
Reason (R): The sum of the first $n$ terms of an AP with first term $a$ and common difference $d$ is given by: $S_n = \frac{n}{2} \left[ a + (n - 1) d \right].$

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A)
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Answer 2

For the AP: $a = 21$, $d = 18 - 21 = -3$. Sum of 15 terms:
$S_n = \frac{n}{2} \left[ 2a + (n - 1)d \right]$
Substitute $n = 15$, $a = 21$, $d = -3$:
$S_{15} = \frac{15}{2} \left[ 2(21) + (15 - 1)(-3) \right] = \frac{15}{2} \left[ 42 - 42 \right] = 0$
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) explains (A).