Write down an equation & solve for x

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematical problem involving a sequence of deposits made over 30 days, where the amount deposited increases daily. Participants are tasked with formulating an equation to find an unknown variable, $x$, which represents an additional amount deposited starting from the 27th day, in order to reach a total of 1100 coins by the end of the 30th day.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the problem and requests help in writing an equation in $x$ and solving it.
  • Another participant suggests using the point-slope formula to determine the amount deposited each day, starting with $D(1)=5$ and a linear increase.
  • A participant calculates the slope of the deposits as 2, confirming that the amount deposited increases by 2 coins each day.
  • Further calculations lead to the expression for the total deposits after $n$ days, $S_n=\sum_{k=1}^{n}(2k+3)$, and participants discuss applying summation formulas to find $S_n$.
  • One participant proposes using the formula for the sum of an arithmetic progression (AP) to find the total deposits after 27 days, resulting in $S_{27}=837$ coins.
  • Subsequent calculations are presented to determine how much needs to be deposited over the last three days to reach the target of 1100 coins.
  • Different approaches to solving for $x$ are discussed, with one participant arriving at $x=15.3$ and another later correcting their approach to find $x=0$ instead.
  • Another participant expresses confusion over the expected integral answer and revises their calculations based on a misinterpretation of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views and approaches to solving for $x$. There is no consensus on the final value of $x$, as different participants arrive at different conclusions based on their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the correct interpretation of the problem and the calculations involved, leading to differing results for $x$. There are unresolved assumptions about the nature of the deposits and the conditions under which the calculations are made.

mathlearn
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Problem

A person starts saving money by depositing 5 coins in his till on the first day. After that , every day , he deposits 2 more than the amount she deposited in the till on the previous day

In order that the amount of money in the till at the end of 30 th day is 1100 coins, He deposits , from the 27th day $x$ rupees more than the amount deposited on the previous day.

Where do I need help

Write down an equation in $x$ and find the value of $x$ by solving it

Many Thanks :)
 
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Let's begin by letting $D(n)$ be the amount deposited on the $n$th day. Now, we are told this amount increases linearly, and that $D(1)=5$. You are given the slope of this linear relationship, and you are given a point on that line...can you now use the point-slope formula to determine $D(n)$?
 
MarkFL said:
Let's begin by letting $D(n)$ be the amount deposited on the $n$th day. Now, we are told this amount increases linearly, and that $D(1)=5$. You are given the slope of this linear relationship, and you are given a point on that line...can you now use the point-slope formula to determine $D(n)$?

My Apologies I don't know how:)
 
Well, let's begin with the slope:

$$m=\frac{\Delta D}{\Delta n}=\frac{D(n+1)-D(n)}{(n+1)-n}=\frac{(D(n)+2)-D(n)}{(n+1)-n}=\frac{2}{1}=2$$

We could have simply observed that for each increase in the number of days by one day, the amount deposited increases by 2, but I wanted to show you the method when it's not as obvious.

Okay, we have a slope of 2 and the point $(n,D)=(1,5)$ and the point-slope formula then gives us:

$$D(n)-5=2(n-1)\implies D(n)=2n+3$$

So, now, we need to sum up the deposits for the first $n$ days to find out what the total is after those $n$ days.

$$S_{n}=\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left(2k+3\right)$$

We will need the following summation formulas:

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}(a\cdot f(k))=a\cdot\sum_{k=1}^{n}(f(k))$$

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}(f(k)\pm g(k))=\sum_{k=1}^{n}(f(k))\pm\sum_{k=1}^{n}(g(k))$$

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}(1)=n$$

$$\sum_{k=1}^{n}(k)=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$$

Now we may write:

$$S_{n}=2\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left(k\right)+3\sum_{k=1}^{n}(1)$$

Can you now apply the formulas above to write $S_{n}$ as a function of $n$?
 
You've indicate by PM a desire to use the formula for the sum of an AP:

$$S_n=\frac{n}{2}\left(2a_1+(n-1)d\right)$$

With $a_1=5$ and $d=2$, we obtain:

$$S_n=\frac{n}{2}\left(2\cdot5+2(n-1)\right)=n(5+n-1)=n(n+4)$$

Had we continued with the method I was using, we would find:

$$S_n=2\cdot\frac{n(n+1)}{2}+3n=n^2+n+3n=n^2+4n=n(n+4)$$

Okay, next we need to find $S_{27}$ so that we know how much was deposited after 27 days:

$$S_{27}=27(27+4)=27\cdot31=837$$

This means over the next 3 days, there needs to be $1100-837=263$ Rupees deposited. So, using the AP formula you cited, we have:

$$a_1=D(27)+x=2(27)+3+x=57+x$$

$$d=x$$

$$n=3$$

Hence:

$$S_3=\frac{3}{2}\left(2(x+57)+(3-1)x\right)=263$$

Can you now solve for $x$?
 
MarkFL said:
You've indicate by PM a desire to use the formula for the sum of an AP:

$$S_n=\frac{n}{2}\left(2a_1+(n-1)d\right)$$

With $a_1=5$ and $d=2$, we obtain:

$$S_n=\frac{n}{2}\left(2\cdot5+2(n-1)\right)=n(5+n-1)=n(n+4)$$

Had we continued with the method I was using, we would find:

$$S_n=2\cdot\frac{n(n+1)}{2}+3n=n^2+n+3n=n^2+4n=n(n+4)$$

Okay, next we need to find $S_{27}$ so that we know how much was deposited after 27 days:

$$S_{27}=27(27+4)=27\cdot31=837$$

This means over the next 3 days, there needs to be $1100-837=263$ Rupees deposited. So, using the AP formula you cited, we have:

$$a_1=D(27)+x=2(27)+3+x=57+x$$

$$d=x$$

$$n=3$$

Hence:

$$S_3=\frac{3}{2}\left(2(x+57)+(3-1)x\right)=263$$

Can you now solve for $x$?

Thank you very much :)

$$S_3=\frac{3}{2}\left(2x+114+3x-x\right)=263$$
$$S_3=\frac{3}{2}\left(4x+114 \right)=263$$
$$S_3=3 \left(4x+114 \right)=526$$
$$S_3= \left(12x+342\right)=526$$
$$S_3= 12x = 184$$
$$S_3= x = 15.3$$

Correct? :)

Many Thanks :)
 
I get:

$$x=\frac{46}{3}=15.\overline{3}$$

I was expecting an integral answer. I now see I misread the problem...what we want is 26 days first:

$$S_{26}=780$$

$$1100-780=220$$

$$a_1=D(26)+x=2(26)+3+x=55+x$$

And then:

$$S_4=\frac{4}{2}\left(2(x+55)+(4-1)x\right)=220$$

$$2(2(x+55)+3x)=220$$

$$2(2x+110+3x)=220$$

$$2(5x+110)=220$$

$$10(x+22)=220$$

$$x+22=22$$

$$x=0$$
 

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