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Mathematics — Standard (041) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [1] § 5.5 Summary
If the sum of the first n terms of an A.P be $3n^2 + n$ and its common difference is 6, then its first term is
  1. A 2
  2. B 3
  3. C 1
  4. D 4
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 30/6/1 Q18
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 10:33 · grounding rag
Model Answer

$S_1 = 3(1)^2 + 1 = 4$. Since $S_1 = a_1$, the first term is 4.

(D) 4

Explanation

The first term of any AP equals $S_1$ (sum of first 1 term). Substitute $n = 1$ in $S_n = 3n^2 + n$: $S_1 = 3 + 1 = 4$. You can verify: $a_2 = S_2 - S_1 = (12+2)-(3+1) = 10$, and $a_2 - a_1 = 10 - 4 = 6$ ✓ (matches given $d = 6$).

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