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Sequence and Series Tricks

governmentadda.com/sequence-and-series-tricks/

June 21,
2017

There are basically two types of questions that are asked by SSC from this part-
1. Finite sequence where the denominator is of the type 1×3, 3×5, 5×7, etc. (can be solved
with direct formula)
2. An infinite sequence where you have to find the series (the sum of infinite sequence)

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First of all let’s see questions of type 1.

Q.1) 1/2 + 1/6 + 1/12 + 1/20 + 1/30 + 1/42

First break it into the required form-

Now apply the direct formula-

Difference is the gap between the two
numbers in the denominator. So here
difference = 2-1 = 1

Answer : 6/7
Next question
Q.2

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Again break it into the required form-
1/3 + 1/15 + 1/35 + … + 1/399
= 1/(1*3) + 1/(3*5) + 1/(5*7) + … + 1/(19*21)
Apply the formula

Answer : 10/21
Now let us move to the second type of questions where we will be applying the
real tricks-

Q.3

To begin with, I have taken the most basic question. Although many of you might be
knowing that the sum of first n natural numbers is n(n+1)/2 and hence the arithmetic
mean of first n natural numbers will come out to be (n+1)/2
But let’s say you forget the formula (exam pressure) and you can’t recall it. What will your
approach be?
The trick is simple- suppose a value of ‘n’.
‘n’ defines how many terms from the sequence you are taking
Let us take n = 2
Arithmetic mean of first 2 natural numbers = (1+2)/2 = 3/2
Now put n = 2 in all the four options and check which option is giving 3/2 as the output
A) 3/2
B) 6
C) 6
D) 3
Answer : (A)
But till now we have killed only a mouse, let us go and catch some lions.

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Q.4
I will take n = 1 (you can take n = 2 as
well but that will make the calculations
a little complex in this question). But I
will solve this question by taking n = 1
and n = 2 both, so that you become
well-versed with the concept.
n=1
Sequence will reduce into (1 – 1/(n + 1))
Put n = 1
Value = 1/2
Now put n = 1 in all the four options
and check which one of them is giving 1/2 as the output
A) 1
B) 1/2
C) 2
D) 1
Answer : (B)
Now n = 2
Sequence will reduce into (1 – 1/(n + 1)) + (1 – 2/(n + 1))
Put n = 2
Value = 2/3 + 1/3 = 1
Now put n = 2 in all the four options and check which one of them is giving 1 as the
output
A) 2
B) 1
C) 3
D) 3/2
Answer : (B)
Remember in the exam you will take either n = 1 or n = 2, I have taken both just to
explain you the concept. But in some questions you may find that after taking n =
1, you are getting two options with the same value. In such cases you will have to
take n = 2.
Let me take some questions of ‘Averages’ in this article itself. Firstly an easy one –
Q. 5.
Assume the numbers as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Average of these numbers = 3
Include the next two numbers (6 and 7)
Average of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 = 4
Average has increased from 3 to 4
Answer : (A)
Now a tougher one –

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Q.6
This question appeared in Tier 2 (2015).
It talks about average and hence it
would be wise to at least take n = 2 or n
= 3. Let us take n = 2.
It is given that ‘Average of n numbers is
a’ and no other information is given, so
you can assume the numbers as well.
Since you have assumed n = 2, so you
will have to assume two numbers. Let me take 1 and 3 as the two numbers (note : you
can take any two numbers you want).
Average of 1 and 3 = 2
Hence a = 2
First number is increased by 2 and second number is increased by 4. Hence 1 and 3 will
become 3 and 7.
Average of 3 and 7 = (3 + 7)/2 = 5
Now put a = 2 and n = 2 in all the four options and check which one of them is giving 5 as
the output.
A) 5
B) 3.5
C) 7
D) 5.5
Answer : (A)
I hope the concept is clear now…

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