Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 23:13 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 23:13
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,802
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,868
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,802
Kudos: 810,894
 [12]
Kudos
Add Kudos
12
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
nick1816
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 19 Oct 2018
Last visit: 12 Mar 2026
Posts: 1,841
Own Kudos:
8,509
 [8]
Given Kudos: 707
Location: India
Posts: 1,841
Kudos: 8,509
 [8]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
800Dreamer
Joined: 28 Jan 2017
Last visit: 04 Feb 2024
Posts: 188
Own Kudos:
187
 [2]
Given Kudos: 186
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V36
WE:Consulting (Computer Software)
Products:
GMAT 1: 720 Q50 V36
Posts: 188
Kudos: 187
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
CrackverbalGMAT
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 03 Oct 2013
Last visit: 23 Apr 2026
Posts: 4,846
Own Kudos:
9,181
 [2]
Given Kudos: 226
Affiliations: CrackVerbal
Location: India
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 4,846
Kudos: 9,181
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The given sequence is an arithmetic sequence since the difference between successive terms is constant.
In an arithmetic sequence \(a_1\), \(a_2\), \(a_3\)….. \(a_n\), \(a_1\) + \(a_n\) = \(a_2\) + \(a_{n-1}\) = \(a_3\) + \(a_{n-2}\) and so on.

If there are 11 terms in the sequence, \(a_1\)+ \(a_{11}\) = \(a_2\) + \(a_{10}\) = \(a_3\) + \(a_9\) and so on.

But, \(a_3\) + \(a_9\) = 8. Therefore, \(a_1\) + \(a_{11}\) = 8.

In an arithmetic sequence, Arithmetic Mean = \(\frac{First Term + Last Term }{ 2}\).

Therefore, in the given sequence, AM = \(\frac{a_1+ a_{11} }{ 2}\) = 8 / 2 = 4.

But, Arithmetic Mean =\(\frac{ Sum of terms }{ Number of terms}\). Therefore,

Sum of terms = Arithmetic Mean * Number of terms = 4 * 11 = 44.
The correct answer option is B.

Hope that helps!
User avatar
freedom128
Joined: 30 Sep 2017
Last visit: 01 Oct 2020
Posts: 939
Own Kudos:
1,377
 [2]
Given Kudos: 402
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
Posts: 939
Kudos: 1,377
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If a1 = a and difference between successive term is b,
a3 + a9 = 8
(a + 2b) + (a + 8b) = 8
2a + 10b = 8

Sum of the first 11 terms of the sequence
= n/2 * (a1 + an)
= 11/2 * (a + a + 10b)
= 11/2 * (2a+10b)
= 11/2 * 8
= 44

FINAL ANSWER IS (B)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
exc4libur
Joined: 24 Nov 2016
Last visit: 22 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,680
Own Kudos:
1,469
 [1]
Given Kudos: 607
Location: United States
Posts: 1,680
Kudos: 1,469
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
In an sequence of numbers a1a1, a2a2, a3a3, ..., the difference between successive terms is constant. If a3+a9=8, what is the sum of the first 11 terms of the sequence?

A. 55
B. 44
C. 33
D. 22
E. 11

a1=x
a2=x+d(n-1)=x+d
a3=8-a9, x+2d=8-(x+8d),
2x+10d=8, [a11=x+10d],
x+10d=8-x

sum is average * n
a1+a11/2*11=x+(8-x)/2*11=44

ans (B)
avatar
suchita2409
Joined: 11 May 2019
Last visit: 22 Jun 2021
Posts: 165
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 296
Posts: 165
Kudos: 125
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think the option A should be 54.
The sequence starting from -1 to 9
Sum is 54.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
unraveled
Joined: 07 Mar 2019
Last visit: 10 Apr 2025
Posts: 2,706
Own Kudos:
2,329
 [1]
Given Kudos: 763
Location: India
WE:Sales (Energy)
Posts: 2,706
Kudos: 2,329
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In an sequence of numbers \(a_1, a_2, a_3\), ..., the difference between successive terms is constant. If \(a_3+a_9=8\), what is the sum of the first 11 terms of the sequence?

A. 55
B. 44
C. 33
D. 22
E. 11

\(a_ 2 - a_1 = a_3 - a_2\)
\(a_3 = a_1 + 2d\) & \(a_9 = a_3 + 6d = a_1 + 8d\)

\(a_3+a_9 = 8\)
\(a_1 + 2d + a_1 + 8d = 8\)
\(2a_1 + 10d = 8\)
\(a_1 + 5d = 4\)
\(a_6 = 4\)

Since sequence has odd numbers of terms i.e. 11, mean = middle term = \(a_6\)
Sum of sequence of 11 terms = Mean of the sum of sequence * Number of terms = 4 * 11 = 44

Answer B.
User avatar
monikakumar
Joined: 23 Jan 2020
Last visit: 31 Dec 2021
Posts: 234
Own Kudos:
146
 [1]
Given Kudos: 467
Products:
Posts: 234
Kudos: 146
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
In an sequence of numbers a1, a2, a3, ..., the difference between successive terms is constant. If a3+a9=8, what is the sum of the first 11 terms of the sequence?

A. 55
B. 44
C. 33
D. 22
E. 11
n/2[2a+(n-1)d]
11/2[2a+10d]
we have 2a+10d=8,
4[11]
44
Ans B
avatar
ashwani1984
Joined: 16 Jul 2016
Last visit: 02 Mar 2026
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
9
 [1]
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 3
Kudos: 9
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Concept - 1

If all the numbers are in A.P (as indicated in question successive terms) then Average of all the symmetrical combination are SAME .

Here a3 and a9 are in symmetrical (as they are 3rd position from left and right)

So, Average is a middle term a6

a6 = (a3 + a9) / 2 -- > 8/2 = 4

Concept -2

Middle term of on odd-AP is 4 so 5 numbers are in left and 5 numbers are in right side which will get cancel , why , here it is

d = common difference .

a1, a2, a3, a4,a5,a6,a7,a8,a9,a10,a11 are now as

4 - 5d , 4 - 4d , 4 - 3d , 4 - 2d , 4 - d , 4 , 4 + d , 4 + 2d , 4 + 3d , 4 + 4d , 4 +5d

All d's will be cancel out …. = remaining ---> 4 * 11 = 44


Ans - 44 , Option B - Correct
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,963
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,963
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109802 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts