Mathematics

Sequence & Series-I

 Content

Definition

Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Properties of A.P.

Arithmetic Mean

Geometric Progression (G.P.)

Sum of infinite terms of G.P.

 Content

Properties of G.P.

Geometric Mean

Harmonic Progression (H.P.)

Harmonic Mean
Sequence

A succession of terms which may be algebraic, real or complex numbers,

written according to definite rule or law is called Sequence.
e.g.

Sequence of prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11,…….

–1, 1, –1, 1,..........

Series

If we put sign of addition or subtraction between the terms of sequence,

then it is called series.

e.g.

Series of prime numbers: 2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11 +…….

2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10+……
Progression

Special case of sequence in which it is possible to express 𝑛𝑡ℎ term

mathematically, is called Progression.

e.g.

1 Tn = n 3 − 1

𝑛
2 𝑇𝑛 = 2
𝑛 +1
Note

𝑻𝒏 → denotes the 𝑛th term of any sequence. (𝑛th term is also denoted by 𝑎𝑛)
𝑺𝒏 → denotes the summation of n terms of any series.

𝑇1 , 𝑇2 , 𝑇3 , 𝑇4 , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝑇𝑛−1, 𝑇𝑛

𝑆𝑛−1

𝑆𝑛

For any series, 𝑆𝑛 – 𝑆𝑛−1 = 𝑇𝑛 (𝑛 ≥ 2) and to find 𝑇1, 𝑇1 = 𝑆1

 Find 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of the sequence whose sum to 𝑛 terms is 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛2 + 𝑏𝑛 + 𝑐.

2𝑛 − 1 𝑎 + 𝑏

Solution
Arithmetic Progression
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

A sequence in which the difference between two consecutive terms

remains same is called Arithmetic Progression.
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Standard terms of A.P.

Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Note

nth term (general term) of an A.P.

𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛– 1)𝑑

where,
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑛th term from beginning

𝑎 = first term

𝑑 = common difference
𝑛 = number of terms
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Note

(i) If 𝑇𝑛 = 𝐴𝑛 + 𝐵 (linear form), then the series so formed is A.P.

(a) If 𝑑 > 0  increasing A.P.

(b) If 𝑑 < 0  decreasing A.P.

(c) If 𝑑 = 0  Constant A.P. (all the terms remain same)

Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Summation of n terms of an A.P.

Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

Summation of n terms of an A.P.

𝑛
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2𝑎 + (n − 1)d = ෍ Ti
2
𝑖=1

where,

𝑆𝑛 = sum of 𝑛 terms from beginning

a = first term
d = common difference
n = number of terms
Note

(1) nth term of A.P. is a linear polynomial

i.e. 𝑻𝒏 = 𝑨𝒏 + 𝑩

(2) Sn of A.P. is a quadratic polynomial with no constant term

i.e. 𝑺𝒏 = 𝑨𝒏𝟐 + 𝑩𝒏
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

An important fact about A.P.

In an A.P. summation of 𝑘th term from beginning and 𝑘th term from the last
is always constant which is equal to summation of first term and last term.

1 4 7 10 13 16

17

17

17
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)

An important fact about A.P.

If there are n terms in A.P. : 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … . 𝑎𝑛

𝑇𝑘 = 𝑎1 + (𝑘– 1)𝑑 (𝑘th term from beginning)

𝑇𝑛–𝑘+1 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛– 𝑘)𝑑 (𝑘th term from end)

𝑇𝑘 + 𝑇𝑛–𝑘+1 = 𝑎1 + (𝑎1 + (𝑘 − 1 + 𝑛 − 𝑘)𝑑)

= 𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛
= constant
 In an A.P. if 𝑇𝑝 = 𝑞 and 𝑇𝑞 = 𝑝, then find the 𝑟th term.

Ans. 𝑝 + 𝑞 − 𝑟

Solution
 Find the number of common terms in the following two progressions.
2, 4, 6, …. up to 100 terms
Ans. 33 3, 6, 9, …. up to 80 terms

Solution
 Find the sum 𝑆 = 1002 – 992 + 982 – 972 + 962 – 952 + ⋯ + 22 − 12

Ans. 5050

Solution
 Find the sum of all integers from 1 to 100 which are divisible by 2 or 3.

Solution
Ans. 3417
 If 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , .........,𝑎𝑛 are in A.P. and 𝑎1 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎7 + ......... + 𝑎16 = 114, then
𝑎1 + 𝑎6 + 𝑎11 + 𝑎16 is equal to : [JEE Main 2019]
Ans. (C) (A) 38 (B) 98 (C) 76 (D) 64

Solution
 Let 𝑎𝑛 be the 𝑛th term of arithmetic progression and 𝑆𝑛 be the sum of first 𝑛
terms of the A.P. with 𝑎1 = 1 and 𝑎3 = 3𝑎8. Find the largest possible value of 𝑆𝑛

Solution
 100
Ans.
19
Properties of A.P.

Assuming some terms of A.P.

Three numbers in A.P. :

Five numbers in A.P. :

Four numbers in A.P. :

Six numbers in A.P. :

Properties of A.P.

If 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3....... and 𝑏1, 𝑏2, 𝑏3 ......... are two A.P.s,
then 𝑎1 ± 𝑏1, 𝑎2 ± 𝑏2, 𝑎3 ± 𝑏3 ......... are also in A.P.
𝑎1 𝑎2
but 𝑎1𝑏1, 𝑎2𝑏2, ......... and , , ........ may or may not be in A.P.
𝑏1 𝑏2
Properties of A.P.

If each term of an A.P. is increased or decreased by the same number, then

the resulting sequence is also an A.P. having the same common difference.
Properties of A.P.

If each term of an A.P. is multiplied or divided by the same nonzero

number(k), then the resulting sequence is also an A.P. whose common
difference is 𝑘𝑑 & 𝑑/𝑘 respectively, where d is common difference of
original A.P.
 The sum of first 3 terms of an A.P. is 27 and the sum of their squares is 293.
Find first term and common difference of A.P.
Ans. 𝑎 = 4, 𝑑 = 5
Or a =14, d = –5

Solution
 If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in A.P. then prove that 𝑏 + 𝑐 ; 𝑐 + 𝑎; 𝑎 + 𝑏 are also in A.P.

Solution
 Let 𝓁1 , 𝓁2 , …….., 𝓁100 be consecutive terms of an arithmetic progression with
common difference 𝑑1 , and let 𝑤1 , 𝑤2 , … , 𝑤100 be consecutive terms of another
arithmetic progression with common difference 𝑑2 , where 𝑑1 𝑑2 = 10. For each
𝑖 = 1, 2, …., 100, let 𝑅𝑖 be a rectangle with length 𝓁𝑖 , width 𝑤𝑖 and area 𝐴𝑖 . If
𝐴51 – 𝐴50 = 1000, then the value of 𝐴100 – 𝐴90 is ____________.
[JEE Advanced-2022]
Solution
Ans. 18900
 If 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3, … … is a sequence of non−zero numbers which are in A.P.
1 1 1
and 𝑆𝑛 = + + …….+ , then show that 𝑎1𝑎𝑛𝑆𝑛 = (𝑛 − 1)
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎𝑛 − 1𝑎𝑛
Solution
 If the sum of the first 40 terms of the series, 3 + 4 + 8 + 9 + 13 + 14 + 18 +19 +...
is (102)m, then m is equal [JEE Main 2020]
Ans. (A) (A) 20 (B) 5 (C) 10 (D) 25

Solution
 Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 ,.........,𝑎30 be an A.P., 𝑆 = σ30 15
𝑖=1 𝑎𝑖 and 𝑇 = σ𝑖=1 𝑎 2𝑖−1 . If 𝑎5 = 27 and
𝑆– 2𝑇 = 75, then 𝑎10 is equal to : [JEE Main 2019]
Ans. (D) (A) 57 (B) 47 (C) 42 (D) 52

Solution
Arithmetic Mean

Definition

Given two numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏. We can insert a number 𝐴 between them so

that 𝑎, 𝐴, 𝑏 is an A.P.
Such a number 𝐴 is called the arithmetic mean (A.M.) of the numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏.
Arithmetic Mean

Can we insert two or more numbers ?

Insertion of 𝑛 Arithmetic Means between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Let A1, A2, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ An be ‘n’ A.M.’s inserted between a and b.

𝑏= 𝑎+ 𝑛+2−1 𝑑
Arithmetic Mean

Summation of all the 𝑛 arithmetic means inserted between two

numbers 𝑎 & 𝑏

𝑎, A1, A2, A3, _____________ An, b is in A.P to find

Arithmetic Mean

Summation of all the 𝑛 arithmetic means inserted between two

numbers 𝑎 & 𝑏
𝑛 𝑎+𝑏
2

𝑛 𝑎+𝑏
= n times single A. M between a & b
2

𝑛
i.e. ෍ 𝐴𝑟 = 𝑛𝐴
𝑟=1

where 𝐴 is the single A.M. between 𝑎 & 𝑏.

 If 101 arithmetic means are inserted between 1 and 99. Then find their
sum.
Ans. 5050

Solution
 𝐴3 2
If 𝑝 arithmetic means are inserted between 5 and 41 so that the ratio = ,
𝐴𝑝−1 5
then find the value of 𝑝.
Ans. 11

Solution
 7
If 𝑙𝑜𝑔32, 𝑙𝑜𝑔3(2𝑥 − 5) & 𝑙𝑜𝑔3 2𝑥 − are in A.P. determine 𝑥.
2

Ans. 3

Solution
 𝑥−1 𝑥−2 1
Solve the equation + + ⋯ + = 3 (𝑥 ∈ ℕ)
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

Ans. 7

Solution
 If 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3, … … … , 𝑎𝑛 are in A.P. where 𝑎𝑖 > 0 for all 𝑖 ∈ ℕ, then show that :

1 1 1 𝑛−1
+ +. . . . . . + =
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 𝑎𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛 𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛

Solution
Geometric Progression
Geometric Progression

A sequence in which the ratio between two consecutive terms is constant is

called Geometric Progression.
Standard appearance of a G.P
 1
In a G.P. if T3 = 2 and T6 = − find T10.
4

1
Ans. −
64

Solution
 If the first and the 𝑛th terms of a G.P. are 𝑎 and 𝑏, respectively, and if 𝑃 is the
product of first 𝑛 terms, prove that 𝑃2 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑛 .

Solution
Observations regarding G.P.

(1) kth term from beginning

kth term from end

𝑇𝑛−𝑘+1 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−𝑘

(2) Product of terms equidistant from beginning and end is always

constant and equals to product of first and last terms.

𝑇𝑘 𝑇𝑛−𝑘+1 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
Summation of n terms of a G.P.

S = a + ar + ar2 + + arn-1
r×S= ar + ar2 + + arn-1 +arn
subtract
Sum of infinite terms of G.P

If 0  |r|  1 and n → , then rn → 0

 Let 𝑎, 𝑏 be the roots of 𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 𝑝 = 0 and 𝑔, 𝑑 be the roots of 𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 𝑞 = 0
If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑔, 𝑑 are in G.P., then the integer values of 𝑝 and 𝑞 respectively, are
Ans. (A)
(A) –2, –32 (B) –2, 3 (C) –6, 3 (D) –6, –32

Solution
 The first term of an infinite geometric progression is 𝑥 and its sum is 5. Then
(A) 𝑥 ∈ 0,10 − {5} (B) 𝑥 ∈ (0,10) − {5}
Ans. (B) (C) 𝑥 ∈ −10,0 − 5 (D) 𝑥 ∈ (10, ∞)

Solution
 The sum of an infinite number of terms of a G.P. is 15 and the sum of their
squares is 45. Find the first term and the common ratio.

Solution
 2
Ans. 𝑟 = , 𝑎 = 5
3
Properties of G.P.

Three numbers in G.P. :

Five numbers in G.P. :

Four numbers in G.P. :

Six numbers in G.P. :

Properties of G.P.

If each term of a G.P. be raised to the same power (say k), then resulting
series is also a G.P. whose common ratio is k raised to the power of original
common ratio.
Properties of G.P.

If each term of a G.P. be multiplied or divided by the same non-zero

quantity, then the resulting sequence is also a G.P. whose common ratio is
same as the original common ratio.
Properties of G.P.

If 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3 … … … and 𝑏1, 𝑏2, 𝑏3, … … … be two G.P.′s of common ratio 𝑟1
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
and 𝑟2 respectively, then 𝑎1𝑏1, 𝑎2𝑏2, 𝑎3𝑏3 … … … and , , , … … … will
𝑏1 𝑏2 𝑏3
𝑟1
also form a G.P. whose common ratio will be 𝑟1 ∙ 𝑟2 and respectively.
𝑟2
Properties of G.P.

If 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is a G.P. of positive terms, then 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎1 , 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎2 , … , 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑎𝑛 is

an A.P. whose common difference is equal to log (common ratio) and vice-versa.
 If 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3 … … … are in G.P. such that 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 = 13 and 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 𝑎32 = 91.
Find 𝑎 and 𝑟.

Solution
Ans. 𝑎=1, r=3
1
OR 𝑎=9, r=
3
 Find the four successive terms of a G.P. of which the 2nd term is smaller than
the first by 35 and the 3rd term is larger than the 4th by 560.
Ans. 7, –28, 112, –448

Solution
 65
The sum of first four terms of a geometric progression (G.P.) is and the sum
12
65
Ans. 3 of their respective reciprocals is . If the product of first three terms of the
18
G.P. is 1, and the third term is α, then 2α is _______. [JEE Main–2021]

Solution
 ∞ ∞
1 (−1)𝑛 𝐴
If 𝐴 = ෍ and 𝐵 = ෍ , then is equal to
3 + (−1)𝑛 𝑛 3 + (−1)𝑛 𝑛 𝐵
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

11 11 11
(A) (B) 1 (C) − (D) −
9 9 3

Solution [JEE Main–2022]

Ans. (C)
Geometric Mean

Given two numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏. We can insert a number 𝐺 between them so

that 𝑎, 𝐺, 𝑏 is an G.P.
Such a number 𝐺 is called the geometric mean (G.M.) of the numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏.
Geometric Mean

Insertion of 𝒏 GM's between 𝒂 and 𝒃

Let 𝐺1 , 𝐺2 , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 𝐺𝑛 be ‘n’ G.M's inserted between a and b.

Geometric Mean
Geometric Mean

Product of all 𝒏 Geometric Means

inserted between two numbers
Note

Product of all ‘n’ Geometric Means inserted between two number a & b is

𝑛
𝑎∙𝑏 2

𝑛
𝑎∙𝑏 2 = n power single G. M. between a & b.

i.e. ෑ 𝐺𝑟 = 𝐺 𝑛

where 𝐺 is the single G.M. between 𝑎 & 𝑏.

Note

If a and b are two numbers and 𝐴 and 𝐺 be their arithmetic and geometric
means respectively, then the equation whose roots are a and b is given by

𝑥 2 − 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐺 2 = 0
 𝑎𝑛 + 𝑏𝑛
If 𝑛−1 is the G.M. between 𝑎 and 𝑏 (𝑎 ≠ 𝑏), then find the value of 𝑛.
𝑎 + 𝑏𝑛−1

1
Ans.
2

Solution
 If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in G.P., then the equations 𝑎𝑥 2 + 2𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 and
2
𝑑 𝑒 𝑓
𝑑𝑥 + 2𝑒𝑥 + 𝑓 = 0 have a common root if , , are in [JEE Main 2019]
Ans. (A)
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐
(A) A.P. (B) G.P. (C) H.P. (D) None of these

Solution
 The sum of first three consecutive terms of a G.P. is 19 and their product is 216.
Find S∞ , if it exists.
Ans. 18

Solution
Harmonic Progression
Harmonic Progression

A non−zero sequence is said to be in H.P. if the reciprocals of its terms are in

1 1 1
A.P. i.e., if 𝑎1, 𝑎2, 𝑎3, … … … are in H.P., then , , , … … … are in A.P.
𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3
Harmonic Progression
Harmonic Progression

TRUE OR FALSE ?

Reciprocal of every A.P. is H.P. ?

Reciprocal of every H.P. is A.P. ?

Note

(i) There is no general formula for finding the sum to n terms of H.P.

1 1 1
(ii) If a, b, c are in H.P. then , , are in A.P.
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐

2 1 1 2𝑎𝑐
i. e. = + or 𝑏=
𝑏 𝑎 𝑐 𝑎+𝑐
 1 1 3
If the 3rd, 6th and last term of a H.P. are , , and respectively, then find
3 5 203
the number of terms.
Ans. 100

Solution
Harmonic Mean

Definition

If 𝑎, 𝐻, 𝑏 are in H.P. then 𝐻 is called the Harmonic Mean between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Harmonic Mean

Insertion of 𝒏 HM's between 𝒂 and 𝒃

Let 𝐻1 , 𝐻2 , 𝐻3 … … … … , 𝐻𝑛 be ‘n’ H.M.′s inserted between a and b.

Note

Harmonic Mean :

1 1
 −a
d= b
n+1
 Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , ..... be in harmonic progression with 𝑎1 = 5 and 𝑎20 = 25.
The least positive integer 𝑛 for which 𝑎𝑛 < 0 is [JEE-2012]
Ans. (D)
(A) 22 (B) 23 (C) 24 (D) 25

Solution
 If the roots of equation 10𝑥 3 − 𝑐𝑥 2 − 54𝑥 − 27 = 0 are in H. P.,
then find the value of c.
Ans. 9

Solution
 If 𝛼, 𝛽 and 𝛾 are three consecutive terms of a non-constant G.P. such that the
equations 𝛼𝑥 2 + 2𝛽𝑥 + 𝛾 = 0 and 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 – 1 = 0 have a common root,
Ans. (A) then 𝛼(𝛽 + 𝛾) is equal to : [JEE Main–2019]
(A) 𝛽𝛾 (B) 0 (C) 𝛼𝛾 (D) 𝛼𝛽

Solution
 Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 ,… be a G.P. such that 𝑎1 < 0, 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 = 4 and 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 = 16.
9

If ෍ 𝑎𝑖 = 4𝜆 , then 𝜆 is equal to : [JEE Main–2020]

𝑖=1
511
(A) –171 (B) 171 (C) (D) –513
3
Solution
Ans. (A)
 𝑏
Let 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 be positive integers such that is an integer. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in
𝑎
geometric progression and the arithmetic mean of 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 is 𝑏 + 2, then the
𝑎2 + 𝑎 − 14 [JEE Advanced–2014]
value of is
𝑎+1
Solution
Ans. 4
 The sides of the right angled triangle are in arithmetic progression.
If the triangle has area 24, then what is the length of its smallest side ?
[JEE Advanced–2017]
Solution
Ans. 6