CBSE CLASS 10 MATH: ULTIMATE BOARD REVISION

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Chapter 5: Arithmetic Progressions (A.P.)

1. Core Concepts & Definitions 3. Sum of First n Terms (Sn)

• Sequence: Numbers arranged in a definite order following a
rule. Sn = n/2 [2a + (n - 1)d] OR Sn = n/2 (a + l)
• A.P. Definition: A sequence where the difference between
any term and its preceding term is constant throughout. Logic/Derivation (Gauss's Method):
Write sum forward: Sn = a + (a+d) + ... + (l-d) + l
• Common Difference (d): d = a2 - a1 = a3 - a2 = ... = ak+1 -
Write backward: Sn = l + (l-d) + ... + (a+d) + a
ak.
Add vertically: 2Sn = (a+l) + (a+l) + ... (n times)
Condition: d can be positive, negative, or zero.
• General Form: a, a+d, a+2d, a+3d, ... 2Sn = n(a+l) ⇒ Sn = n/2(a+l). Substitute l = a+(n-1)d to get the
main formula.
2. General Term (nth Term)
4. Vital Relationships & Properties
an = a + (n - 1)d • Extracting an from Sn: an = Sn - Sn-1. (Highly tested!)

• Logic/Derivation: The 1st term takes 0 d's (a+0d). The 2nd • Arithmetic Mean: If a, b, c are in A.P., then 2b = a + c or b
takes 1 d. Thus, the nth term must take exactly (n-1) common
= (a+c)/2.
differences added to a. • Linear/Quadratic Rule:
• nth Term from End: l - (n - 1)d (where l is the last term). - In an A.P., an is ALWAYS a linear expression in n (e.g.,
Trick: Treat l as the first term and -d as the common difference. 3n+5). The coefficient of n is d.
- Sn is ALWAYS a quadratic without a constant term (e.g.,
2n2+3n). Half the coefficient of n2 is d/2.

Topper's Trick (Selection of Terms): When sum is given, assume terms symmetrically to eliminate d:
• 3 terms: a - d, a, a + d (Sum = 3a)
• 4 terms: a - 3d, a - d, a + d, a + 3d (Sum = 4a, common diff is 2d)

Examiner's Warning (Common Mistakes):

1. Forgetting that n must be a positive integer. If you solve for n and get a fraction or negative, that term does not exist.
2. Missing the brackets in Sn formula when multiplying n/2.
3. Confusing n (position) with an (value).

Chapter 7: Coordinate Geometry (Lines)

The ratio of hypotenuses is m1/m2, which equals ratio of bases (x-
1. Distance Formula
x1)/(x2-x). Cross-multiply to get x.

d = √(x2 - x1)2 + (y2 - y1)2 3. Mid-Point Formula

Special case of section formula where m1:m2 = 1:1.
• Logic/Derivation: Plot points P(x1, y1) and Q(x2, y2). Drop
perpendiculars to form a right triangle with base |x2 - x1| and
height |y2 - y1|. Apply Pythagoras theorem: PQ2 = Base2 +
M(x, y) = ( (x1 + x2)/2 , (y1 + y2)/2 )

Height2.
• Distance from Origin (0,0): √x2 + y2
4. Collinearity of 3 Points

2. Section Formula Points A, B, C are collinear if they lie on a straight line.

• Method 1 (Distance): Sum of two smaller distances equals the

P(x, y) = ( m1x2 + m2x1 / (m1+m2) , m1y2 + m2y1 /
largest. E.g., AB + BC = AC.
(m1+m2) ) • Method 2 (Ratio Trick): Assume B divides AC in ratio k:1. If the
k derived from x-coordinates perfectly matches the k derived from
• Logic/Derivation: Draw perpendiculars from P, Q, R to axes. y-coordinates, they are collinear.
Form two right-angled triangles. They are Similar (AAA criterion).

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 Topper's Trick (Ratio Assumption): ALWAYS assume the unknown ratio as k : 1 (not m1 : m2). This reduces two variables to just
one! Formula becomes: x = (kx2 + x1)/(k + 1). If k comes out negative, the division is external (rare in 10th but conceptually good).

Examiner's Warning (Geometry Hacks):

1. Points on X-axis are strictly (x, 0). Points on Y-axis are strictly (0, y).
2. Trisection points: Meaning a line divided into 3 equal parts. The division points divide the total line in ratios 1:2 and 2:1. Calculate
twice!
3. Parallelogram Vertex Trick: Diagonals bisect each other! So, Midpoint of Diagonal 1 = Midpoint of Diagonal 2. (Fastest way to
find 4th missing vertex without distance formula).

Formula & Concept Blitz Sheet

Category Formula / Result When to use?

A.P. Terms an = a + (n - 1)d Finding a specific term, or checking if a number belongs to the sequence.

A.P. Sum (Standard) Sn = n/2[2a + (n - 1)d] When a, d, and n are known.

A.P. Sum (Short) Sn = n/2(a + l) When first and last terms are known.

Extracting Term an = Sn - Sn-1 When an equation for Sn is given (e.g. Sn=3n2+2n) and an is asked.

Distance d = √((x2-x1)2 + (y2-y1)2) Finding side lengths, proving triangles (equilateral/isosceles), or quadrilaterals.

Section (Internal) x = (m1x2+m2x1)/(m1+m2) Finding coordinates of a point dividing a line.

Centroid (Bonus) ((x1+x2+x3)/3, (y1+y2+y3)/3) Intersection of medians in a triangle. Good for MCQs.

12. Equidistant from A and B means PA = PB ⇒ PA2 = PB2. Always

Top 20 Theory Points Students Forget square to remove roots before solving!
1. d in A.P. can be negative or zero (constant sequence). 13. To prove a square: Show all 4 sides equal AND both diagonals
2. an can be zero or negative, but n is strictly a natural number. equal.
3. If every term of an A.P. is added/subtracted/multiplied by a 14. To prove a rhombus: Show all 4 sides equal (diagonals unequal).
constant, the resulting sequence is still an A.P. 15. To prove a rectangle: Show opposite sides equal AND diagonals
4. Sum of first n positive integers = n(n+1)/2. equal.
5. Sum of first n odd numbers = n2. 16. To prove a parallelogram: Show opposite sides equal (diagonals
6. Sum of first n even numbers = n(n+1). unequal).

7. If a, b, c are in A.P., then 2b = a + c. 17. Midpoint of hypotenuse of right triangle is equidistant from all 3
vertices.
8. To prove a sequence is A.P., show ak+1 - ak is independent of k.
18. Points of trisection imply ratios 1:2 and 2:1.
9. For finding ratio in Coord Geo, use k:1.
19. Reflection of (x,y) in x-axis is (x,-y); in y-axis is (-x,y).
10. Any point on the x-axis has y-coordinate 0: (x, 0).
20. Distance is always absolute (positive). Never write d = -5.
11. Any point on the y-axis has x-coordinate 0: (0, y).

Top 10 Conceptual Examiner Questions (Mental Check)

1. Q: If S = 3n2 + 5n, what is the 10th term?
n
Logic: Find S10 - S9, OR find S1=a1, S2=a1+a2, then get d, then find a10.
2. Q: Is the sequence √2, √8, √18, √32 an A.P.?
Logic: Simplify to √2, 2√2, 3√2, 4√2. Yes, d = √2. (Very frequent board trick).
3. Q: For what value of p are 2p+1, 13, 5p-3 in A.P.?
Logic: Use 2b = a + c ⇒ 2(13) = (2p+1) + (5p-3). Solve for p.
4. Q: How many multiples of 4 lie between 10 and 250?
Logic: First is 12, last is 248. Use an = a + (n-1)d ⇒ 248 = 12 + (n-1)4.
5. Q: What is the ratio in which the y-axis divides the line segment joining (5, -6) and (-1, -4)?
Logic: Let ratio be k:1. Y-axis point is (0, y). Set x-coordinate formula to 0: (k(-1) + 1(5))/(k+1) = 0.

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 6. Q: Find a relation between x and y if (x,y) is equidistant from (3,6) and (-3,4).
Logic: (x-3)2+(y-6)2 = (x+3)2+(y-4)2. Expand and simplify to get a linear equation (perpendicular bisector).
7. Q: If (1,2), (4,y), (x,6), (3,5) are vertices of a parallelogram, find x and y.
Logic: NEVER use distance. Use Midpoint of AC = Midpoint of BD. (1+x)/2 = (4+3)/2.
8. Q: Name the type of triangle formed by (3, 0), (6, 4) and (-1, 3).
Logic: Find all three distances. Check for equal sides or Pythagoras (a2+b2=c2).
9. Q: If the nth term of an A.P. is 1/m and mth term is 1/n, find the (mn)th term.
Logic: Standard proof. a+(n-1)d = 1/m and a+(m-1)d = 1/n. Subtract to find d = 1/mn and a = 1/mn. Term is 1.
10. Q: If sum of first m terms equals sum of first n terms, what is sum of first (m+n) terms?
Logic: It is always 0. Derive by equating formulas, taking terms to one side, factoring out (m-n).

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