Assertion (A): a, b, c are in AP if and only if 2b = a + c.
Reason (R): The sum of first n odd natural numbers is n².
(2)
Since a, b, c are in AP.
∴ b – a = c – b ⇒ 2b = a + cAlso, sum of first n odd natural numbers= 1 + 3 + 5 + ... which are in AP with a = 1, d = 3 – 1 = 2∴ Sₙ = n/2 (2a + (n – 1)d) = n/2 (2×1 + (n – 1)×2) = n(1 + n – 1) = n²