Question:
Choose the correct answer in each of the following questions:
The sum of first n terms of an AP is (3n2 + 6n). The common difference of the AP is
(a) 6
(b) 9
(c) 15
(d) −3
Solution:
Let Sn denotes the sum of first n terms of the AP.
$\therefore S_{n}=3 n^{2}+6 n$
$\Rightarrow S_{n-1}=3(n-1)^{2}+6(n-1)$
$=3\left(n^{2}-2 n+1\right)+6(n-1)$
$=3 n^{2}-3$
So,
$n^{\text {th }}$ term of the $\mathrm{AP}, a_{n}=S_{n}-S_{n-1}$
$=\left(3 n^{2}+6 n\right)-\left(3 n^{2}-3\right)$
$=6 n+3$
Let d be the common difference of the AP.
$\therefore d=a_{n}-a_{n-1}$
$=(6 n+3)-[6(n-1)+3]$
$=6 n+3-6(n-1)-3$
$=6$
Thus, the common difference of the AP is 6.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.