JEE MAIN - Mathematics (2022 - 28th June Morning Shift - No. 17)

Let A = {1, a1, a2 ....... a18, 77} be a set of integers with 1 < a1 < a2 < ....... < a18 < 77.

Let the set A + A = {x + y : x, y $$\in$$ A} contain exactly 39 elements. Then, the value of a1 + a2 + ...... + a18 is equal to _____________.
Answer
702

Explanation

If we write the elements of $A+A$, we can certainly find 39 distinct elements as $1+1,1+a_{1}, 1+a_{2}, \ldots .1$ $+a_{18}, 1+77, a_{1}+77, a_{2}+77, \ldots \ldots a_{18}+77,77+77$.

It means all other sums are already present in these 39 values, which is only possible in case when all numbers are in A.P.

Let the common difference be '$d$'.

$77=1+19 \mathrm{~d} \Rightarrow d=4$

So, $\sum\limits_{i=1}^{18} a_{1}=\frac{18}{2}\left[2 a_{1}+17 d\right]=9[10+68]=702$

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