Analyzing the Setup
We are given the sum of n terms as Sn=αn2+βn. Note that this expression is a quadratic lacking a constant term, which is the mathematical signature of an Arithmetic Progression (A.P.).
Recognizing this structure is the first step in decoding the sequence. It confirms that the common difference is constant and the sequence behaves linearly.
The Bridge of Logic
To find the general term
an, we utilize the fundamental relation:
an=Sn−Sn−1
Imagine a stack of n blocks; removing the stack of n−1 blocks leaves exactly the n-th block. This logic holds firm for all n≥2. For the first term, a1, we simply evaluate S1.
The Algebra of Discovery
We substitute
Sn and
Sn−1 into our bridge equation:
an=[αn2+βn]−[α(n−1)2+β(n−1)]
By expanding the terms and grouping the coefficients of
α and
β, we simplify the expression to:
an=α(2n−1)+β
This is our master key. It allows us to calculate any term in the sequence provided we determine the values of α and β.
Solving the Mystery
We apply the given constraints:
a10=59 and
a6=7a1. Substituting
n=10 into our master key yields:
19α+β=59
Next, we express
a6 and
a1 using the master key:
a6=11α+β
a1=α+β
The condition
a6=7a1 transforms into:
11α+β=7(α+β)
Simplifying this equation, we find
4α=6β, which leads to:
β=32α
Final Calculation
We substitute
β=32α back into our first equation (
19α+β=59):
19α+32α=59
Multiplying the entire equation by
3 gives
57α+2α=177, which simplifies to
59α=177. Thus, we find:
α=3
Substituting
α=3 back into our expression for
β, we get
β=2. The final result is:
α+β=3+2=5