Chapter 12

Progressions

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞ Progressions ☞ Infinite Geometric Progression

☞ Arithmetic Progression (AP) ☞ Some Important Results
☞ Geometric Progression (GP)

Progressions The sum to n terms of an arithmetic progression can also

be written in a different manner.
In this chapter, we will look at the problems on sequences or
progressions of numbers, where the terms of the sequence n
Sum of first n terms = × [2a + (n – 1)d]
follow a particular pattern either addition of a constant 2
(arithmetic sequence or arithmetic progression) or multi- n
= × [a + {a + (n – 1)d}]
plication by a constant (geometric sequence or geometric 2
progression). A third type of progression—harmonic pro- But, when there are n terms in an arithmetic progression, a
gression—has also been defined later. is the first term and {a + (n – 1) d} is the last term. Hence,
n
Arithmetic Progression (AP) Sn = × [first term + last term].
2
An arithmetic progression is a sequence of numbers in The average of all the terms in an arithmetic progression
which any number (other than the first) is more (or less) is called their arithmetic mean (AM). Since average is equal
than the immediately preceding number by a constant value. to {sum of all the quantities/number of quantities}, arith-
This constant value is called the common difference. In metic progression must be equal to the sum of the terms of
other words, any term of an arithmetic progression can be the arithmetic progression divided by the number of terms
obtained by adding the common difference to the preceding in the arithmetic progression.
term. Arithmetic mean of n terms in arithmetic progression
Let a be the first term of an arithmetic progression, d S 1
the common difference, and n the number of terms in the = n= {2a + (n – 1)d}
n 2
progression. 1
The nth term is normally represented by Tn, and the sum = × (First Term + Last Term)
2
to n terms of an arithmetic progression is denoted by Sn
(First Term + Last Term)
Tn = nth term = a + (n – 1) d =
2
n i.e. AM is the average of the first and the last terms of the
Sn = Sum of n terms = × [2a + (n – 1) d], then the progres-
2 AP.
sion can be represented as a, a + d, a + 2d, …, [a + (n – 1) Arithmetic mean can also be obtained by taking the aver-
d ]. Here, quantity d is to be added to any chosen term to get age of any two terms that are EQUIDISTANT from the two
the next term of the progression. ends of the AP, i.e.

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1. The average of the second term from the beginning Given that
and the second term from the end will be equal to the
a + 11d = 25 (3)
AM.
2. The average of the third term from the beginning and a + 13d = 31 (4)
the third term from the end will also be equal to the
Subtracting (3) from (4),
AM and so on.
2d = 6
In general, the average of the kth term from the beginning
and the kth term from the end will be equal to the AM. d = 3
Conversely, if the AM of an AP is known, the sum to n
Substituting d = 3 in (3) or (4),
terms of the series (Sn) can be expressed as
a = –8
Sn = n × AM.
given, tn = –8 + (n – 1)3 = 37
If three numbers are in arithmetical progression, the middle
number is called the arithmetic mean, i.e. if a, b, c are in n = 16
a+c
AP, then b is the AM of the three terms and b = .
2 Example 3
If a and b are in arithmetic progression (AP), then their Three terms in arithmetic progression have a sum of 45 and
( a + b) a product of 3240. Find them.
AM = .
2
If three numbers are in AP, we can represent the three Solution
numbers as (a – d), a, and (a + d). Let the terms be a – d, a and a + d.
If four numbers are in AP, we can represent the four num-
a – d + a + a + d = 45
bers as (a – 3d), (a – d), (a + d), and (a + 3d); (in this case,
2d is the common difference). a = 15
If five numbers are in AP, we can represent the five num- (a – d) a (a + d) = 3240
bers as (a – 2d), (a – d), a, (a + d), and (a + 2d).
152 – d 2 = 216
Solved Examples d = ±3
If d = 3 the terms are 12, 15, and 18. If d = -3, the terms are
Example 1 same but in the descending order.
The sixth and the tenth terms of an arithmetic progression
are 22 and 38, respectively. Find the first term and the Example 4
common difference. The first term and the last term of an arithmetic progression
Solution are 9 and 69, respectively. If the sum of all the terms is 468,
find the number of terms and the common difference.
Let the first term and the common difference be a and d,
respectively. Solution
a + 5d = 22 (1) Let the number of terms and the common difference be n
and d, respectively,
a + 9d = 38 (2) n
Sn = [9 + 69] = 468
Subtracting (1) from (2), 2 
⇒ 39n = 468
4d = 16, d = 4
n = 12
Substituting d in (1) or (2),
tn = 9 + 11d
we get a = 2
⇒ 11d = 60
Example 2 60
⇒ d=
The 12th term, the 14th term, and the last term of an 11 
arithmetic progression are 25, 31, and 37, respectively. Find
the first term, common difference, and the number of terms. Example 5
Solution The sum of three numbers which are in arithmetic
progression is 24. The sum of their square is 200. Find the
Let the first term, the common difference and the number of numbers.
terms be a, d, and n, respectively.

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Solution When there are three terms in geometric progression, we

can represent the three terms to be a/r, a, and ar
Let the numbers be a – d, a and a + d.
When there are four terms in geometric progression, we
Given, a – d + a + a + d = 24 a a
can represent the four terms as 3 , , ar. and ar3.
\ a = 8 r r
(a – d)2 + a2 + (a + d)2 = 200 2
(In this case r is the common ratio.)
3a2 + 2d2 = 200
Infinite Geometric Progression
⇒ d 2 = 4
If –1 < r < +1 or | r | < 1, then the sum of a geometric progres-
\ d = ±2 sion does not increase infinitely; it ‘converges’ to a particu-
If d = 2, the numbers are 6, 8 and 10. If d = –2, the numbers lar value. Such a GP is referred to as an infinite geometric
are same, but in the descending order. progression. The sum of an infinite geometric progression
a
is represented by S∞ and is given by the formula S∞ = .
1− r
Geometric Progression (GP) Harmonic progression: If the reciprocals of the terms of a
Numbers taken in a certain order are said to be in­ sequence are in arithmetic progression, the sequence is said
geometrical progression, if the ratio of any (other than the
1 1 1
first number) to the preceding one is the same. This ratio to be a harmonic progression, For example, 1, , , , …
is called the common ratio. In other words, any term of a 2 3 4
geometric progression can be obtained by multiplying the is a harmonic progression. In general, the sequence
preceding number by the common ratio. 1 1 1
, , , … is a harmonic progression.
The common ratio is normally represented by r. The first a a + d a + 2d
term of a geometric progression is denoted by a. If a, b, c are in harmonic progression, b is said to be the
A geometric progression can be represented as a, ar, harmonic mean of a and c. In general, if x1, x2, …, xn are
1ar 2, …, where a is the first term and r is the common ratio in harmonic progression, x2, x3, …, .xn – 1 are the n – 2 har-
of the geometric progression. monic means between x1 and xn.
nth term of the geometric progression is arn – 1.
Sum to n terms: Some Important Results
(
a 1 − rn ) or
(
a rn −1 ) The results of the sums to n terms of the following series are
1− r r −1 quite useful and, hence, should be remembered by students.

−a r × Last term − First term n( n + 1)
=
xar n−1
= Sum of the first n natural numbers = ∑ n =
r −1 r −1 2

Thus, the sum to n terms of a geometric progression can Sum of squares of the first n natural numbers
also be written as n( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
∑ n2 = 6
r × Last term − First term
Sn = Sum of cubes of first n natural numbers
r −1
2
If n terms a1, a2, a3, …, an are in GP, then the geometric mean ⎡ n( n + 1) ⎤ n2 ( n + 1) 2 2

(GM) of these n terms is given by = n a1 ⋅ a2 ⋅ a3 ⋅… ⋅ an

∑ n3 = ⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦ = 4 = ⎡⎣∑ n⎤⎦
If three terms are in geometric progression then the mid-
Example 6
dle term is a geometric mean of the other two terms, i.e.
if a, b, and c are in GP, then b is the geometric mean of the Find the 7th term of the geometric progression whose first
three terms and b² = ac. term is 6 and common ratio is 2.
If there are two terms a and b, their geometric mean Solution
(GM) is given by ab. nth term of a GP = ar n – 1
For any two unequal positive numbers a and b, their
arithmetic mean is always greater than their geometric
­ 7th term = 6 (26) = 384
mean, i.e.
Example 7
For any two unequal positive numbers a and b,
A geometric progression has its first term as 64 and its
a+b
> ab ; (a + b) > 2 ab b) > 1
2 common ratio as . Find the sum of its first five terms.
2

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Solution Example 10
a(1 − r n ) The sum of the terms of an infinite geometric progression
Sum of the first n terms of a GP =
1− r is 27. The sum of their squares is 364.5. Find the common
⎛ ⎛ 1⎞ 5⎞ ratio.
64 ⎜1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎟
⎝ ⎝ 2⎠ ⎠ Solution
Sum of its first five terms = = 124 Let the first term and the common ratio be a and r, respec-
1
1− tively.
2 2
a ⎛ a ⎞
Given that = 27 ⇒ ⎜ = 729
Example 8 1− r ⎝ 1 − r ⎟⎠
Find the common ratio of the geometric progression whose a2
And = 364.5
1 1 − r2
first and last terms are 5 and , respectively, and the sum
624 25 ⇒ a2 = 729 (1 – r)2
of its terms is .
100 = 364.5 (1 – r2)

Solution 729
729 (1 – r)2 – (1 − r )(1 + r ) = 0
Sum of the terms of a geometric progression whose com- 2 
729
r (last term) − (first term) (1 − r )[2(1 − r ) − (1 + r )] = 0
mon ratio is r is given by 2 
r −1 ⇒ (1 – r) (1 – 3r) = 0
⎛ ⎞1
r⎜ ⎟ −5 r≠1 (∵ | r | < 1)
⎝ 25 ⎠ 624
= . 1
r −1 100  \ r=
3
⇒ 4r – 500 = 624r – 624
1 Example 11
⇒ r= .
5  If | x | < 1, find the value of 3 + 6x + 9x2 + 12x3 + …
Solution
Example 9
Let S = 3 + 6x + 9x2 + 12x3 + …(7)
Three numbers in geometric progression have a sum of 42
and a product of 512. Find the numbers. xS = 3x + 6x2 + 9x3 +(8)

Solution Subtracting (8) from (7)

a S(1 – x) = 3 (1 + x + x2 + …)
Let the numbers be , a and ar.
r
⎛ 1 ⎞
a 3⎜
+ a + ar = 42 ⎝ 1 − x ⎟⎠ 3
r  As |x| < 1, S = = 
1− x (1 − x ) 2
⎛ a⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠ ( a)( ar ) = 512
r  Example 12
a = 8 1 1 1 1
Evaluate + + +…+ .
8 1( 2) 2(3) 3( 4) 99(100)
+ 8 + 8r = 42
r Solution
8r2 – 34r + 8 = 0 1 1 1
= –
8r2 – 32r – 2r + 8 = 0 1( 2) 1 2
(r – 4) (4r – 1) = 0 1 1 1
= –
1 2(3) 2 3 
r = 4 or 1 1 1
4 Finally = –
99(100) 99 100
1
If r = 4, the numbers are 2, 8 and 32. If r = , the numbers 1 99
4 The given expression is 1 – =
are same, but in the descending order. 100 100

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Exercises
Direction for questions 1 to 25: Select the correct alterna- 14. If the real numbers a, c and b as well as a2 + b2, a2 + c2,
tive from the given choices. and b2 + c2 are in geometric progression, then which of
1. The sixth term and the eleventh term of an arithme- the following is necessary true?
tic progression are 30 and 55, respectively. Find the (A) a = b (B) b = c
twenty-first term of the series. (C) a = c (D) a = b = c
1 1 15. How many numbers between 450 and 950 are divisible
(A) 88 (B) 105 (C) 110 (D) 92
3 2 by both 3 and 7?
th
2. What is the 15 term of an arithmetic progression (A) 20 (B) 24 (C) 30 (D) 35
whose first term is equal to its common difference and 16. S = 2 + 4x + 6x + 8x … where
2 3

whose 3rd term is 9? | x | < 1. Which of the following is the value of S ?

(A) 15 (B) 30 (C) 45 (D) 60 4 3
(A) (B)
3. If x + 4, 6x – 2, and 9x – 4 are three consecutive terms (1 − x ) 2 (1 − x ) 2
of an arithmetic progression, then find x. 2 1
(C) (D)
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (1 − x ) 2 (1 − x ) 2
4. Find the number of terms and the sum of the terms of 17. The sum of the first eight terms of a geometric progres-
the arithmetic progression 32, 28, … 4. sion. is 510 and the sum of the first four terms of the
(A) 8; 144 (B) 7; 126 geometric progression. is 30. Find the first term of the
(C) 14; 252 (D) 15; 270 geometric progression, given that it is positive.
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8
5. Find the sum of the first 31 terms of the arithmetic
­progression whose first term is 6 and whose common 18. Find the integer value of y, if –x, 2y, and 2(y + 3) are in
8 arithmetic progression and (x + 2), 2(y + 1), and (5y – 1)
difference is . are in geometric progression.
3
(A) 1410 (B) 1418 (C) 1426 (D) 1434 (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5
6. The sum of five terms of an arithmetic progression 19. Find the number of terms common to the progressions
is 70. The product of the extreme terms is 132. Find the 2, 8, 14, 20, …, 98 and 6, 10, 14, 18, …, 102.
five terms. (A) 7 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 9
(A) 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 (B) 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 20. Find the sum of the series 2 + 3x + 4x + 5x3 + … to
2

(C) 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 (D) 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 infinity, if | x | < 1.
7. The sum to n terms of an arithmetic progression is 2− x 2+ x
(A) (B)
5n2 + 2n. Find the nth term of the series. (1 − x ) 2
(1 + x )2
(A) 10n + 5 (B) 10n – 3 2− x 2+ x
(C) 5n – 1 (D) 5n – 2 (C) (D)
8. Which term of the geometric progression 4, 4 2 , 8 …
(1 + x ) 2
(1 − x )2
is 64 2 ? 21. The mean of the sequence 3, 8, 17, 30, …, 1227 is ____.
(A) 8 (B) 9 (C) 10 (D) 12 (A) 531 (B) 431 (C) 314 (D) 315
9. Find the sixth term of the geometric progression whose 22. Find the value of –12 + 22 – 32 + 42 – 52 + 62 + …
first term is 2 and common ratio is 3. –192 + 202
(A) 96 (B) 486 (C) 1458 (D) 162 (A) 210 (B) 420 (C) 630 (D) 720
10. Find the sum of the first 4 terms of a geometric progres- 23. Find the sum of the given terms in the following series:
sion whose first term is 6 and whose common ratio is 2. 1 1 1 1
+ + ++
(A) 90 (B) 84 (C) 96 (D) 102 3 +1 3+ 5 5+ 7 119 + 121
11. What is the sum of the first 7 terms of a geometric pro- (A) 2 3 + 1 (B) 5
gression whose first term is 1 and 4th term is 8? (C) 11 – 2 3 (D) 10
(A) 129 (B) 128
24. If log3 x + log 3 3 x + log 5 3 x + … + log 23 3 x = 432, then
(C) 127 (D) None of these
find x.
12. If the sum to 37 terms of an arithmetic progression is 703, (A) 9 (B) 27 (C) 3 3 (D) 81
then find the middle term of the arithmetic progression.
25. The sum of the first n terms of two arithmetic progres-
(A) 34 (B) 17 (C) 38 (D) 19
sions S1 and S2 are in the ratio 11n – 17 : 5n – 21. Find
13. Find the sum of the 20 terms of the series 1, (1 + 2), the ratio of the 16th terms of S1 and S2.
(1 + 2 + 3), (1 + 2 + 3 + 4), (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5), … (A) 3 : 2 (B) 162 : 67
(A) 1540 (B) 1435 (C) 1450 (D) 1345 (C) 9 : 4 (D) 27 : 8

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Answer Keys
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. C 6. C 7. B 8. C 9. B 10. A
11. C 12. D 13. A 14. A 15. B 16. C 17. A 18. A 19. C 20. A
21. B 22. A 23. B 24. B 25. B

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