Activ y Arithmetic
9
Progressions
OBJECTIVE: To find the sum of first n natural numbers
PRE-REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE
" Concept of natural numbers
Area of a square and rectangle
. The product AB of two monomials A and B
represents a rectangle of
sides A and B (See Fig. 11.1)
Thus, n(n + 1) represents a rectangle having sides n and n + 1
respectively. A
MATERIALS REQUIRED
Cardboard
Fig. 11.1
" White chart paper
Squared paper Geometry box
" A pair of scissors " Sketch pens
" Adhesive fevicolgum etc.
PROCEDURE
Let us consider the sum of first n natural numbers 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 ...
('Y Mabo a rectangular cardboard of a
convenient size and paste a white chart paper on it
(i)Take asquare paper and paste it on the wnte chart
paper as shown in Fig. 11 9
(iiü) Mark the squares 1, 2, 3, .., n along the vertical line l and mark the
n, (n + 1) along the horizontal line. Squares 1, 2, 3, ...,
(iv) Using a sketch pen, shade the rectangular strips of size 1 cm x 1 cmn, 1 cm
x 2 cm, 1
1cm xn cm along the vertical line as shown in Fig. 11.2. cn x 3 cm,
(w) Count the shaded square boxes and the total number of boxes.
ARITHMETIC PROGRESSIONS
1 2 3 4 5 6 nn+1
Fig. 11.2
OBSERVATION.
From Fig. l1.2, we observe that
Number of shaded squares = x Total number of squares
2
Number of shaded squares = 1 + 2 +3+ 4 + * + n
Total number of squares = Area of rectangle of side n and n + l= nln + 1) cm?
1
.. 1+ 2+3 + 4 + *+ n = X n (n + 1)
2
1
or
S, = Gnn+1).
Observation Table
S. No Consider (n) Square paper Area Shaded Area Verification
n(n +1)
2
1 20 (21)
n = 20 20 x 21 unit? (20 x 21) = 210 unit? = 210 unit?
2 2
(iü)
(iii)
(iv)
We observe that the shaded area is half of the whole area of the square
paper.
RESULT.
We have found the sum of first n natural numbers.
STUDENT ACTIVITY
Find the sum of first 20 natural numbers.
