R

13
E
T
P
A
H
C

Progressions

But, when there are n terms in an AP a is the first term

SYNOPSIS and {a + (n – 1)d} is the last term.
P Sequence: A systematic arrangement of numbers ac­  n
Hence, Sn =   [first term + last term]
cording to a given rule is called a sequence.  2
P Series: The sum of the terms of a sequence is called the P Arithmetic Mean (AM): The average of all the terms
series of the corresponding sequence. in an AP is called the arithmetic mean of the AP.
Note: 1 + 2 + 3 + …. + n is a finite series of first n The average of a certain numbers =
natural numbers.
The sumof all thenumbers
The sum of first n terms of series is denoted by Sn.
Here, Sn = T1 + T2 + ………. + Tn–1 + Tn The number of numbers
Sn–1 = T1 + T2 + T3 + …… + Tn–1 ∴ A.M. of n terms in an
S 1 n
⇒ Sn – Sn–1 = Tn AP = n = ×  first term + last term 
n n 2
Arithmetic Progression: Numbers (or terms) are said
to be in arithmetic progression when each term except Note:
the first term is obtained by adding a constant to the 1. In general, the average of the kth term from the
previous number (or term). beginning and the kth term from the end is equal to
Let the first term of the progression be a and the the AM of the AP. If the AM of an AP is known, the
common difference be d. sum to n terms of the series (Sn) can be expressed
(i) The nth term (general term) is Tn = a + (n – 1)d as Sn = n (AM)
n 2. If a and b are any two numbers, then their
(ii) The sum to n terms, Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d]
2 a+b
The sum to n terms can also be written in a different AM = .
2
manner. That is, the sum of n terms
n P Inserting arithmetic mean between two numbers:
= [2a + (n – 1)d]
2 When n arithmetic means a1, a2, …… are insert­
n ed between a and b, then a, a1, a2, …… an, b are in
= [a + {a + (n – 1)d}]
2 AP
 ∴ a = t1 and b = tn+2. Let d be the common difference. (iv) If three terms are in geometric progression,
⇒ b = t1 + (n + 1) d ⇒ b = a + (n + 1)d then the middle term is the geometric mean of
the GP, i.e., if a, b and c are in GP then b is the
(b − a)
⇒ d= geometric mean of the three terms.
(n + 1) (v) If there are two terms say a and b, then their
Note: geometric mean is given by GM = ab.
(vi) When n geometric means are there between
(i) If three numbers are in AP we can take the three a and b, the common ratio of the GP can be
terms to be (a – d), a and (a + d). derived as follows.
(ii) If four numbers are in AP we can take the four Given that, n geometric means are there be­
terms to be (a – 3d), (a – d), (a + d) and (a + 3d). tween a and b. ∴ a = t1 and b = tn+2
The common difference in this case is 2d and not d. Let ‘r’ be the common ratio ⇒ b = (t1) (rn+1)
(iii) If five numbers are in AP we can take the five terms
to be (a – 2d), (a – d), a, (a + d) and (a + 2d). b b
⇒ b = a rn+1 ⇒ rn+1 = ⇒r= (n +1)
a a

Some Important Results Infinite Geometric Progression

(i) The sum of first n natural numbers = If –1 < r < 1 (or ∩ r ∩ < 1). The sum of an infinite geo­
n
n(n + 1) metric progression is represented by S∞ and is given by the
∑ i=
2 a
i =1 formula, S∞ = , if r < 1.
1− r
(ii) The sum of the squares of first n natural numbers
P Harmonic Progression (HP): A series is said to be a
n
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
= ∑ i2 = harmonic progression if the reciprocals of the terms in
i =1 6 the progression form an arithmetic progression.
(iii) The sum of the cubes of first n natural numbers nth term of an HP: We know that if a, a + d, a + 2d,….
n 2
 n(n + 1)  n2 (n + 1)2  n 
2 are in AP, then the nth term of this AP is a + (n – 1) d.
= ∑ i 3
= 
 2 

=
4
= ∑ i 
So, nth term of an HP is
1
.
i =1  1  a + ( n − 1)d
P Geometric Progression: Numbers are said to be in Note: There is no concise general formula for the sum
geometric progression when the ratio of any quan­ to n terms of an HP.
tity to the number that follows it is the same. In other Harmonic Mean (HM): If three terms are in HP
words, any term of a GP (except the first one) can then the middle term is the HM of other two terms.
be obtained by multiplying the previous term by the The harmonic mean of two terms a and b is given by
same constant. The constant is called the common 2ab
HM =
ratio and is normally represented by r. The first term a+b
of a GP is generally denoted by a.
(i) A geometric progression can be represented by Inserting n Harmonic Means
a, ar, ar2, ..... where a is the first term and r is the between Two Numbers
common ratio of the GP. nth term of the GP is To insert n harmonic means between two numbers, we
arn–1 i.e., tn = arn–1 first take the corresponding arithmetic series and insert
(ii) The sum to n terms, Sn =
( ) ( )
a r n − 1 r ar n −1 − a
= n arithmetic means, and next, we find the corresponding
r −1 r −1 harmonic series.
∴ The sum to n terms of a geometric progres­
sion can also be written as Relation between AM, HM and GM of
( )
r Last term − First term Two Numbers
Sn =
r −1 Let x and y be two numbers
(iii) If n terms viz., a1, a2, a3, ......... an are in GP then x+y 2xy
∴ AM = , GM = xy and HM =
the geometric mean (GM) of these n terms is 2 x+y
given by = n a1a 2 a 3 ........... a n . ⇒ (AM) (HM) = (GM)2
Solved Examples

1. In a series, Tn= 2n + 5, find S4. The required difference = |t25 – t15|=

 Solution: Tn = 2n + 5 ∴ |(a + 24d) −(a + 14d)|= |10d| =|10(−4)|= 40
T1 = 2(1) + 5 = 7; T2 = 2(2) + 5 = 9 6. Find the 7th term of the GP whose first term is 6
T3 = 2(3) + 5 = 11; T4 = 2(4) + 5 = 13 and common ratio is 2/3.
S4 = T1 + T2 + T3 + T4 = 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 = 40.  Solution: Given that, t1 = 6 and r = 2/3
2. Find the first term and the common difference We have tn = a.rn–1
of an AP if the 3rd term is 6 and the 17th term  2
⇒ t7 = (6)   =
6
(6)(64 ) = 128 .
is 34.
 3 729 243
 Solution: If a is the first term and d is the com­
mon difference, then we have a + 2d = 6 … (1) 7. Find the geometric mean of first twenty five
a + 16d = 34 … (2) powers of twenty five.
On subtracting equation (1) from equation (2), we Solution: The GM of the first 25 powers of
get 14d = 28 ⇒ d = 2

25 = [251 × 252 × 253 …… 2525]1/25
Substituting the value of d in equation (1), we get 1
a = 2. ∴ a = 2 and d = 2  25 × 26  25
= [251+2+…......+25]1/25 = 25 2  = 2513 = 526
3. Find the sum of the first 22 terms of an AP whose  
first term is 4 and the common difference is 4/3.
8. In a geometric progression, the sum of first n
 Solution: Given that, a = 4 and d = 4/3. terms is 65535. If the last term is 49152 and the
n common ratio is 4, then find the value of n.
We have Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d]
2 Solution: Let the common ratio and the first

 22    4  term of the GP be r and a respectively.
 2 
( )
S22 =   (2)( 4 ) + 22 −1   
 3  Given, r = 4 and arn–1 = 49152 ⇒ arn = 49152r
⇒ arn = 49152 × 4 ….. (1)
= (11) (8 + 28) = 396
4. Find the three terms in AP whose sum is 36 and Also,
(
a rn − 1 ) = 65535 ⇒ a (r n
) = 65535
−1
product is 960. r −1 3

 Solution: Let the three terms of an A.P. be ⇒ ar – a = 3 × 65535 ⇒ 49152 × 4 – 3 × 65535

n

(a – d), a and (a + d). Sum of these terms is 3a. 3a = a ⇒ a = 3. Substituting a = 3 in arn–1

= 36 ⇒ a = 12 = 49152. We get n = 8.
Product of these three terms is 1 1
(a + d) a (a – d) = 960 9. Insert three harmonic means between and .
12 20
⇒ (12 + d) (12 – d) = 80 ⇒ 144 – d² = 80 ⇒ d = ± 8
 Solution: After inserting the harmonic means
Taking d = 8, we get the terms as 4, 12 and 20. let the harmonic progression be
Note: If d is taken as –8, then the same numbers 1 1 1 1 1
are obtained, but in decreasing order. , , , ,
a a + d a + 2d a + 3d a + 4d
5. Find the difference between the 25th term and the 1 1 1 1
15th term of the progression –13, –17, –21…. Given = and = ⇒ a = 12 and d = 2
a 12 a + 4d 20
 Solution: Given progression –13, –17, –21 …... ∴ The required harmonic means are
is in A.P.
1 1 1
d = −4 , and .
14 16 18
10. Find the 10th term of harmonic progression 19 1
1 4 2 4 ⇒ d = t2 – t1 = −5= −
, , , ........... . 4 4
5 19 9 17
1
1 4 2 4 a = 5, d = – and tn = a + (n – 1)d ⇒ t10 = a + 9d
 Solution: Given, HP is 5 , 19 , 9 , 17 ........... 4
1 11 4
19 9 = 5 + 9 × − = . ∴ In HP, t10 =
⇒ 5, , ,..........are in AP 4 4 11
4 2
 PRACTICE EXERCISE 13 (A)

Directions for questions 1 to 35: Select the correct alter­ (1) 40 (2) 50
native from the given choices. (3) 35 (4) 30
1. Third term of the sequence whose nth term is 2n + 5, 12. If the 5th term and the 14th term of an AP are 35 and
is ____. 8 respectively, then find the 20th term of the AP.
(1) 1 (2) 11 (1) 10 (2) 20
(3) 2 (4) 12 (3) −12 (4) –10
2. In a series, if Tn = 3 – n, then S5 = ____. 13. Find the least number of terms of an A.P., 64 + 49 +
(1) 15 (2) 5 34 + …… to be added so that the sum is less than 36.
(3) 0 (4) −2 (1) 12 (2) 9
3. If tn = 6n + 5, then tn+1 = ____. (3) 10 (4) 8
(1) 6 n – 1 (2) 6n + 11 14. If the sum of 16 terms of an arithmetic progression
(3) 6n + 6 (4) 6n – 5 is 1624 and the first term is 500 times the common
difference, then find the common difference.
4. If tn = 3n–1, then S6 – S5 = ____.
(1) 1 (2) 2
(1) 243 (2) 81 5 3
(3) 3 (4) 2
(3) 77 (4) 27 5 5
5. Write the sum of the first three terms of the following 0.3 0.33 0.333
sequence whose nth term is 3n + 1. 15. Find the sum of + + + …… to 15 terms.
0.5 0.55 0.555
(1) 20 (2) 10
(1) 10 (2) 9
(3) 21 (4) 12
(3) 3 (4) 5
6. Find the sum of the last three terms of the following
sequence whose nth term is 5n+1. 16. Find the sum of all natural numbers and lying
(1) 30(5)n (2) 31(5)n between 100 and 200 which leave a remainder of
2 when divided by 5 in each case.
(3) 30(5) n–1
(4) 31(5)n–1
(1) 2990 (2) 2847
n2 −1
7. In a sequence, if tn = , then find the value of (3) 2936 (4) None of these
S6 – S3. n +1
17. Find the sum of the series 1 + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2 + 3) +
(1) 3 (2) 6 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4) + … + (1 + 2 + 3 + …. + 20).
(3) 12 (4) 10 (1) 1470 (2) 1540
8. The tenth term of the series 9, 8, 7, 6 …… is ____. (3) 1610 (4) 1370
(1) –1 (2) 1 18. Geometric mean of 5 and 20 is ____.
(3) 0 (4) –2
(1) 10 (2) −20
100
(3) 15 (4) 12.5
9. ∑ x = ____.
x =1
19. The reciprocals of all the terms of a geometric
(1) 100 (2) 5050 progression form a ____ progression.
(3) 1000 (4) 50 (1) AP (2) HP
10. 1 + 3 + 5 + …… + 99 = _____. (3) GP (4) AGP
(1) (99)2 (2) (49)2 1 1 1
20. + + + ...............∞ = ____.
(3) (50)2 (4) (100)2 2 4 8
11. If the kth term of the arithmetic progression 25, 50, (1) 1 (2) 2
75, 100, …… is 1000, then find the value of k. (3) 31/4 (4) 43/4
 21. If the sum of n terms which are in GP is a(r + 1), then continued indefinitely. Determine the sum of areas of
the number of terms is ____. (where ‘a’ is the first all such triangles including the given triangle (in cm2).
term and ‘r’ is the common ratio)
(1) 432 3 (2) 324 3
(1) 8 (2) 6
(3) 648 3 (4) 430 3.
(3) 4 (4) 2
1 1 29. If | x | < 1, then find the sum of the series 2 + 4x +
22. 6th term of , ,1........ 6x² + 8x3 + …..
4 2
(1) 8 (2) 6 2 2
(1) (2)
(3) 4 (4) 2 1− x 1 − x2
2 2
23. The common ratio of 3(2)3, 3(2)4, 3(2)5 is (3) (4)
(1 − x)2 1+ x
(1) 1 (2) 2
(3) 3 (4) 4 30. If a, b, c and d are in harmonic progression, then
1 1 1 1
24. Find the sum of 5 geometric means between 1/3 and , , and are in____ progression.
243, by taking common ratio positive. a b c d
(1) 121 (2) 126 (1) AP (2) GP
(3) 81 (4) 111 (3) HP (4) AGP
64 31. If the AM of two numbers is 9 and their HM is 4,
25. The product of three numbers of a GP is . If the
27 then their GM is ____.
148
sum of their products when taken in pairs is , (1) 6 (2) 36
27
then find the sum of the three numbers. (3) 16 (4) 6.5
16 37 1 1 1
(1) (2) 32. 1, , , ...... are in ____.
9 9 2 3 4
31 26 (1) AP (2) GP
(3) (4)
9 9 (3) HP (4) None of these
26. Evaluate Σ 2i, where i = 2, 3, 4… 10. 33. HM of 3 and 5 is ____
(1) 2044 (2) 2048 (1) 15/4 (2) 15/8
(3) 1024 (4) 1022 (3) 3/4 (4) 5/8
27. A ball is dropped from a height of 64 m and re­ 34. Find the sum to 9 terms of the series 0×3 + 0.33 +
bounces 3/4 of the distance every time it touches the 0.333 + ……..
ground. Find the total distance it travels before it 8.1010 + 1 9.1010 + 1
(1) (2)
comes to rest. 27.109 27.109
(1) 444 (2) 512 9.109 + 1 8.109 + 1
(3) 448 (4) 384 (3) (4)
27.108 27.108
28. One side of an equilateral triangle is 36 cm. The mid 35. Find the sum of all three­digit numbers which leave a
points of its sides are joined to form another triangle. remainder 2, when divided by 6.
Again another triangle is formed by joining the mid (1) 82656 (2) 82658
points of the sides of this triangle and the process is (3) 82650 (4) 82654

PRACTICE EXERCISE 13 (b)

Directions for questions 1 to 35: Select the correct alter­ (1) Sn−2 (2) Sn − Sn−1
native from the given choices. (3) Sn+1 − Sn (4) Sn+1 − Sn−1
1. In a sequence, if Sn is the sum of the first n terms and 2. If Tn = 3n + 8, then Tn–1 = ____.
Sn –1 is the sum of the first (n – 1) terms, then the nth (1) 3n + 7 (2) 3n + 6
term is ____. (3) 3n − 5 (4) 3n + 5
 3. If tn = 5 – 2n, then tn–1 = ____. 14. If two AP’s have the same first term and the difference
(1) 2n – 1 (2) 7 + 2n between their common difference is 2, then the differ­
(3) 4 – 2n (4) 7 – 2n ence between the sum of their first 10 terms is ____.
(1) 20 (2) 18
4. Find the sum of first three terms of the following (3) 90 (4) 100
sequence whose nth term is 8 – 5n.
(1) −9 (2) −6 15. If 8 times the 8th term of an arithmetic progression is
(3) 6 (4) 12 equal to 12 times the 12th, term, then the 20th term is
(1) 12 times to 8th term
5. Find the sum of the first three terms of the following (2) 8 times to 12th term
sequence whose nth term is 5n2 – 2.
(3) 0
(1) 15n2 − 30n + 19 (2) 15n2 – 19 (4) Cannot be determined
(3) 15n − 25n + 18
2
(4) 15n2 − 20n + 18
16. An arithmetic progression starts with a positive frac­
6. Find the general term of a sequence, whose sum of n tion and every alternate term is an integer. If the sum
terms is given by 4n2 + 3n. of the first 11 terms is 33, then find the fourth term.
(1) 8n + 1 (2) 4n − 2 (1) 2 (2) 3
(3) 8n − 1 (4) 4n − 1 (3) 5 (4) 6
7. The sum of the first 20 terms of the sequence 17. Find the sum of 100 terms of the series 1(3) + 3(5) +
1, 4, 9, … is ____. 5(7) + ……
(1) 2870 (2) 2890 (1) 1353300 (2) 1353400
(3) 2970 (4) 2780 (3) 1353200 (4) 1353100
8. The sum of 100 terms of the progression 5, 5, 5, ……
18. If the seventh term of an AP is 25 and the common
is ____.
difference is 4, then find the 15th term of AP.
(1) 500 (2) 5000
(1) 55 (2) 50
(3) 50 (4) 5
(3) 57 (4) 52
9. Σn3 = ____.
19. If a, b and c are in geometric progression, then a2, b2
(1) (Σn)3 (2) (Σn)2 and c2 are in ____ progression.
(3) (Σn)3 + (Σn)2 (4) Σ(n + n2) (1) AP (2) GP
10. Find the 15th term of the arithmetic progression (3) HP (4) AGP
10, 4, –2, ... 20. The nth term of the sequence
(1) 75 (2) −75 1 1 1
(3) −74 (4) −90 , , ,.......... is ____.
100 10000 1000000
11. How many terms are needed in the series –15, –12, (1) (100)n (2) 10 2n
–9, …… so that their sum is 18? (3) 10–2n (4)10–n
(1) 15 (2) 10 1 1 1
21. Fifth term of , , ……. ____.
(3) 12 (4) 18 16 8 4
(1) 1/2 (2) 1
12. Which of the following does not belong to the series
8, 11, 14, 17, 20 ……? (3) 0 (4) 2
(1) 120 (2) 131 22. The product of t5 and t6 of the progression 1/4, 1/2, 1,
(3) 144 (4) 150 …… =
(1) t8 (2) t11
13. Find the number of terms in an arithmetic progres­
(3) t10 (4) t7
sion for which the first term is 4, last term is 22 and
the common difference is 1/4. 23. GM of 4 and 64
(1) 70 (2) 71 (1) 32 (2) 8
(3) 72 (4) 73 (3) 16 (4) 24
 1 1 the sum of next three terms is 756. (where common
24. 2 + 1 + + + .........∞ ratio is an integer)
2 4
(1) 1 (2) 2 (1) 22.39 (2) 23.310
(3) 3 (4) 4 (3) 2 .3
5 10
(4) 23.39

25. If in a G.P., 5th term and the 12th term are 9 and 30. The harmonic mean of 20 and 30 is ____.
1 (1) 25 (2) 28
respectively, find the 9th term of G.P.
243 (3) 26 (4) 24
1 1
(1) (2) 31. 100, 100, 100, …… are in ____.
7 8
1 1 (1) AP (2) GP
(3) (4)
9 81 (3) HP (4) All of these
26. Find the geometric mean of the first 36 powers of 36. 1 1 1
32. 7th term of , , ...... is ____.
2 4 6
(1) (36)36 (2) (36)37 (1) 1/10 (2) 1/12
(3) (6)37 (4) (6)36 (3) 1/14 (4) 1/16

27. Find the sum to 90 terms of the series 5 + 55 + 555 + 33. The relation among AM, GM and HM is
…… (1) AM × GM = HM (2) HM = AM × GM
50 90 50 90 (3) GM2 = AM × HM (4) AM2 = GM × HM
(1) 10 − 82  (2) 10 − 83 
81  81 
1 1 1
50 90 50 90 34. If , and are in AP, then show that
(3) 10 − 80  (4) 10 − 90  q+r r+p p+q
81  81 
p2, q2 and r2 are in _________.

28. x , 2x ,2 x ,2 2x...... are in geometric progression. (1) AP (2) GP

If the sum of first 10 terms is 31 ( )

6 + 3 , then find
(3) HP (4) AGP
the 10th term. 35. A person opens an account with `50 and starts de­
(1) 8 3 (2) 8 6 positing every day double the amount he has depos­
ited on the previous day. Then find the amount he
(3) 16 6 (4) 16 3 has deposited on the 10th day from the beginning.
29. Find the 10th term of a geometric progression in (1) `25000 (2) `25600
which the product of the first three terms is 1728 and (3) `28500 (4) `26500

Answer Keys
PrActice exercise 13 (A)
1. 1 2. 3 3. 2 4. 1 5. 3 6. 4 7. 3 8. 3 9. 2 10. 3
11. 1 12. 4 13. 3 14. 1 15. 2 16. 1 17. 2 18. 1 19. 3 20. 1
21. 4 22. 1 23. 2 24. 1 25. 2 26. 1 27. 3 28. 1 29. 3 30. 1
31. 1 32. 3 33. 1 34. 1 35. 3

PrActice exercise 13 (b)

1. 2 2. 4 3. 4 4. 2 5. 1 6. 3 7. 1 8. 1 9. 2 10. 3
11. 3 12. 1 13. 4 14. 3 15. 3 16. 1 17. 1 18. 3 19. 2 20. 3
21. 2 22. 4 23. 3 24. 4 25. 3 26. 3 27. 1 28. 3 29. 1 30. 4
31. 4 32. 3 33. 3 34. 1 35. 2