3. The common difference of an A.P. in which [tex][tex]$a_{15} - a_{11} = 48$[/tex][/tex] is

A. 12
B. 16
C. -12
D. -16



Answer :

To find the common difference of an arithmetic progression (A.P.) given that [tex]\(a_{15} - a_{11} = 48\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Recall the formula for the [tex]\(n\)[/tex]-th term of an arithmetic progression:
[tex]\[ a_n = a + (n-1)d \][/tex]
where [tex]\(a\)[/tex] is the first term, [tex]\(d\)[/tex] is the common difference, and [tex]\(n\)[/tex] is the term number.

2. For the 15th term ([tex]\(a_{15}\)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ a_{15} = a + 14d \][/tex]

3. For the 11th term ([tex]\(a_{11}\)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ a_{11} = a + 10d \][/tex]

4. According to the given information, the difference between the 15th term and the 11th term is 48:
[tex]\[ a_{15} - a_{11} = 48 \][/tex]

5. Substitute the expressions for [tex]\(a_{15}\)[/tex] and [tex]\(a_{11}\)[/tex] into the equation:
[tex]\[ (a + 14d) - (a + 10d) = 48 \][/tex]

6. Simplify the equation:
[tex]\[ a + 14d - a - 10d = 48 \][/tex]

7. Combine like terms:
[tex]\[ 14d - 10d = 48 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 4d = 48 \][/tex]

8. Solve for [tex]\(d\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ d = \frac{48}{4} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ d = 12 \][/tex]

Thus, the common difference [tex]\(d\)[/tex] of the arithmetic progression is 12.

So the correct answer is:
(A) 12