

Given sum of first n terms of the AP is
Sn = 4n - n2
Put n = 1, we get
S1 = 4*1 - 12
= 4 – 1
= 3
So first term = 3
Now, sum of first two terms S2 = 4*2−22 (Put n=2)
= 8−4
= 4
So sum of first two terms = 4
Therefore Second term =S2 −S1
=4−3
=1
So second term = 1
Again S3 = 4×3 - 32 (Put n= 3)
= 12 – 9
= 3
Therefore Third term = S3 − S2
= 3 – 4
= – 1
So third term = -1
Again
S9 = 4×9−92 (Put n = 9)
= 36 – 81
= – 45
and
S10 = 4×10−102 (Put n = 10)
= 40 – 100
= – 60
Therefore Tenth term = S10 − S9
= – 60 – (– 45)
= – 60 + 45
= – 15
Now
Sn = 4n−n2
and Sn-1 = 4(n−1)−(n−1)2
= 4n − 4 − (n2 - 2n + 1)
= 4n − 4 − n2 + 2n - 1
= −n2 + 6n - 5
Therefore, nth term = Sn − Sn-1
= 4n−n2 −(−n2 +6n−5)
= 4n − n2 + n2 − 6n + 5
= 5 − 2n
So nth term of AP is 5 − 2n
