10.

Sequences and Series

10. Sequences and Series
01. Arithmetic Progression
Definition: A sequence a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... is called an arithmetic progression (A.P.), if the
difference of any term and the previous term is always same.

i.e. an + 1 –an = Constant (= d) for all n ∈ N

or, an + 1 –an is independent of n.
The constant difference ‘d’ is called the common difference.

(i) Properties of Terms of an A.P.

Property 1 A sequence is an A.P. iff its nth term is a linear expression in n i.e. an = An +
B. In such a case, the coefficient of n i.e. A is the common difference of the
A.P.
Property 2 In a finite A.P. a1, a2, a3, ..., an the sum of the terms equidistant from the
beginning and end is always same and is equal to the sum of its first and last
term.
Property 3 Three numbers a, b, c are in A.P. iff 2b = a + c.
Property 4 If an, an+1, an+2 are three consecutive terms of an A.P., then 2an+1 = an + an+2
Property 5 Twice of any term of an A.P. is equal to the sum of any two terms equidistant
from it.
i.e. 2an = an + k + an – k for all k = 1, 2, 3, ....
Property 6 If a constant is added to or subtracted from each term of an A.P. Then the
resulting sequence is also an A.P. with the same common difference.
Property 7 If each term of an A.P. is multiplied or divided by a non-zero constant k, then
the resulting sequence is also an A.P. with common difference kd or d/k, where
d is the common difference of the given A.P.

(ii) Selection of terms of An A.P.

Sometimes we require certain number of terms in A.P. The following ways of selecting
terms are generally very convenient :
Number of terms Terms Common Difference
3 a – d, a, a + d d
4 a – 3d, a – d, a + d, a + 3d 2d
5 a – 2d, a – d, a, a + d, a + 2d d
6 a – 5d, a – 3d, a – d, a + d, a + 3d, a + 5d 2d
It should be noted that in case of an odd number of terms, the middle term is a and
the common difference is d while in case of an even number of terms the middle terms
are a – d, a + d and the common difference is 2d.
(iii) Sum to n terms of An A.P.
The sum Sn of n terms of an A.P. with first term ‘a’ and common difference ‘d’ is
given by

Sn =  {2a + (n – 1)d}


Also, Sn =  {a1 + an}, where a1 = a.


2
10. Sequences and Series

(iv) Some Useful Results on the sum of an A.P.

Result 1 A sequence is an A.P. iff the sum of its n terms is of the form An2 + Bn, where
A, B are constants. In such a case, the common difference is equal to 2A.
Result 2 If the ratio of the sums of n terms of two A.P.s is given then the ratio of their nth
terms may be obtained by replacing n by (2n – 1) in the given ratio.
Result 3 If the ratio of nth terms of two A.P.s is given, then the ratio of the sums of their
 
n terms may be found by replacing n by  in the ratio of the nth terms.


(v) Insertion of Arithmetic Means

If between two quantities a and b we insert n quantities A1, A2, A3, ... An–1, An, such
that the sequence a, A1, A2, A3, ..., An – 1, An, b forms an A.P., then A1, A2, ..., An, are
known as n arithmetic means between a and b. If d be the common difference of the
A.P. a, A1, A2, ..., An–1, An, b. Then,

b = (n + 2)th term ⇒ b = a + (n + 1)d ⇒ d = 
 
Also,
(i) A1 = a + d, A2 = a + 2d, ... , An = a + nd

(ii) A1 + A2 + ... An =  (A1 + An)


⇒ A1 + A2 + ... An =  (a + b) [∵ A1 + An = a + b]

⇒ A1 + A2 + ... An =    
 

⇒ A1 + A2 + ... An = n (Single A.M. between a and b)

02. Geometric Progression (G.P.)

Definition A sequence of non-zero numbers is called a geometric progression (abbreviated as
G.P.) if the ratio of a term and the term preceding to it is always a constant quantity.

The constant term is called the common ratio of the G.P.

a sequence, a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... is called a geometric progression if
  
 = Constant (= r) for all n ∈ N

  
i.e.,  is independent of n.


General Term If a is the first term and r is the common ratio of a G.P., then the G.P. is a
ar, ar2, ar3, ... and its nth term an is given by
an = arn–1
The nth term from the end of a finite G.P. consisting of m terms is (m – n + 1)th term from
the beginning and is equal to a rm–n, where a is the first term and r is the common ratio.

3
10. Sequences and Series

(i) Selection of Terms of G.P.

Three or more terms in a G.P. may be selected in the following manner:
Number of terms Terms Common ratio

3    , r

 
4       r2
 
 
5        r
 
(ii) Properties of Terms of G.P.
Following are some properties of a G.P.
(i) If all the terms of a G.P. be multiplied or divided by the same non-zero constant,
then it remains a G.P. with the same common ratio.
(ii) The reciprocals of the terms of a given G.P. forms a G.P.
(iii) If each term of a G.P. be raised to the same power, the resulting sequence also
forms a G.P.
(iv) In a finite G.P. the product of the terms equidistant from the beginning and the
end is always same and is equal to the product of the frist and last term.
(v) Three non-zero numbers a, b, c are in G.P. iff b2 = ac.
(vi) If a, b, c are in G.P, then b is known as the geometric mean of a and c.
(vii) If a1, a2, ..., an are n non-zero non-negative numbers, then their geometric mean G
is given by G = (a1 a2 ... an)1/n.
(viii) If a1, a2, a3, ..., an is a G.P. of non-zero non-negative terms, then log a1, log
a2, ..., log an, ... is an A.P. and vice-versa.
(iii) Sum of n Terms of G.P.
The sum Sn to n terms of a G.P. with first term a and common ratio r is given by

 
   
Sn =     ≠ 
 
   
The sum of an infinite G.P. with first term ‘a’ and common ratio r (– 1 < r < 1) is
given by

∞  

(iv) Insertion of Geometric Means
If n numbers G1, G2, G3, ... Gn are inserted between two numbers a and b such that
the sequence a, G1, G2, ..., Gn, b is a G.P. Then, the numbers G1, G2, ... Gn are
known as geometric means between a and b.
Let r be the common ratio of the G.P. a, G1, G2, ..., Gn, b. Then,


 


th n+1
b = (n + 2) term b = a r ⇒ r = 

 

  
 

 

∴ G1 = ar =           
 


 



      


4
10. Sequences and Series

Remark 1 If n geometric means G1, G2, ..., Gn, are inserted between two quantities a and b,
then the product of these geometric means is equal to the nth power of the single
geometric mean between the two quantities.

i.e. G1 . G2 . G3 ..., 
 

03. Harmonic Progression

A sequence a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... of non-zero real numbers is called a Harmonic progression
   
if the sequence            an A.P.
   
The nth term of a H.P. is the reciprocal of the nth term of the corresponding A.P. Thus, if
a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... is a H.P. and the common difference of the corresponding A.P. is d
 
i.e.       then
 
 
        
  
(i) Insertion of n Harmonic Means
Let a, b be two given numbers. If n numbers H1, H2, ..., Hn are inserted between a
and b such that the sequence a, H1, H2, H3, ..., Hn, b is an H.P., then H1, H2, ..., Hn
are called n harmonic means between a and b.
Now,
a, H1, H2, ..., Hn, b are in H.P.,
    
⇒           are in A.P.
    
Let D be the common difference of this A.P. Then,
    
     ⇒       ⇒   
     
Thus, if n harmonic means are inserted between two given numbers a and b, then the
common difference of the corresponding A.P. is given by
 
 
  
     
Also,                
     
On putting the values of D, we can obtain the values of H1, H2, ..., Hn.
(ii) Properties of Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic Means
The arithmetic mean A, geometric mean G and harmonic mean H between two numbers
a and b are given by
  
        and   
  
These means posses the following properties:
(a) A ≥ G ≥ H
(b) G2 = AH i.e., A, G, H are in G.P.

5
10. Sequences and Series
04. Arithmetico-Geometric Sequence
If a1, a2, a3, ..., an, ... is an A.P. and b1, b2, b3, ..., bn, ... is a G.P., then the sequence a1,
b1, a2, b2, a3, b3, ..., an, bn, ... is said to be an arithmetico-geometric sequence.
The general term of an arithmetico-geometric sequence is the product of nth terms of the
corresponding A.P. and G.P. i.e.
(i) nth term of a, (a + d)r, (a + 2d)r2, (a + 3d)r3, .... is {a + (n – 1)d}rn–1
(ii) The sum of n terms of an arithmetico-geometric sequence a, (a + d)r, (a + 2d)r2,
(a + 3d)r3, ... is given by
 


 
           ≠
 
       






       

If ∣r∣< 1, then rn, rn–1 → 0 as n → ∞, So, the sum of an infinite

arithmetico-geometric sequence is given by
 
∞    

    

05. Sum to n Terms of Some Special Series

(i) The sum of first n natural numbers is given by

 


         

(ii) The sum of the squares of first n natural numbers is given by

   


         

(iii) The sum of the cubes of first n natural numbers is given by


  
 
  


            


(iv) The sum of the fourth powers of first n natural numbers is given by

     


         

(a) Method of Difference
Sometimes the nth term of a series can not be determined by the methods discussed
so far. If a series is such that the difference between successive terms are either in
A.P. or in G.P., then we determine its nth term by the method of difference and
then find the sum of the series by using the formulas for ∑ n, ∑ n2 and ∑ n3.
Algorithm : We can use the following steps to obtain the nth term of the series.
Step I Obtain the terms of the series and compute the difference between T2 –
T1, T3 – T2, T4 – T3, ... etc. If t are in A.P., then take the nth term as
Tn = an2 + bn + c, where, a, b, c are constants

6
10. Sequences and Series

Determine constants a, b, c by putting n = 1, 2, 3 and equating them

with the values of corresponding terms of the given series.
Step II If the differences T2 – T1, T3 – T2, T4 – T3, ... are in G.P. with common
ratio r, then take
Tn = arn – 1 + bn + c
and determine constants by putting n = 1, 2, 3, 4 in Tn.
Step III If the differences of the differences computed in step I are in A.P., then
take
Tn = an3 + bn2 + cn + d
and find the values of a, b, c, d by putting n = 1, 2, 3, 4
Step IV If the differences of the differences computed in step I are in G.P. with
common ratio r, then take
Tn = arn – 1 + bn2 + cn + d
and find the values of a, b, c, d by putting n = 1, 2, 3, 4.
(b) Summation of Some Special Series
Finding the sum of some series of the form

   
          
               
In order to find the sum of a finite number of terms of such series, we write its
each term as the difference of two terms as given below



  
 

  
 

  


  

 
  
  

  


  
 

  

     and  
  
   
∴         
            

     
       
            
 

          



 
    
 
        

 

    
 

    
  

7
10. Sequences and Series

JEE Main Pattern Question Exercise

1. If the non-zero numbers x, y, z are in AP, and tan–1 x, tan–1 y, tan–1 z are also in AP., then

(a) x = y = z (c) x2 = yz
(b) xy = yz (d) z2 = xy

2. If three positive real numbers a, b, c are in AP such that abc = 4, then the minimum value of
b is

(a) 21/3 (c) 21/2

(b) 22/3 (d) 23/2

3. If b – c, 2b – x and b – a are in H.P., then a – (x/2), b - (x/2) and c – (x/2) are in

(a) A.P. (c) H.P.

(b) G.P. (d) none of these.

4. If the first two terms of a H.P. are 2/5 and 12/23 respectively. Then, the largest term is

(a) 5th term (c) 4th term

(b) 6th term (d) 6th term

5. If 3 arithmetic means, 3 geometric means and 3 harmonic means are inserted between 1 and 5,
then the cubic equation whose roots are first A.M., second G.M. and third H.M. between 1 and
5, is:



(a)     
   

        

 




(b)     
   

        

 




(c)     
   

        

 
(d) none of these

6. The sum of n terms of the series 1 + (1 + 3) + (1 + 3 + 5) + ...., is

(a) n2   


(c) 
   
(b)    (d) none of these

8
10. Sequences and Series

7. If n is even, then the sum of n terms of the series 12 – 22 + 32 – 42 + 52 – 62 + ...... is

 
(a)  

 
(b) 

(c) – n (n + 1)
(d) none of these

  
8. The sum to n terms of the series        is
  

(a) 
  

(b) 
  

(c) 
  

(d) 


9. If the sum of an infinite G.P. is equal to the maximum value of f(x) = x3 + 2x – 8 in the
interval [–1, 4] and the sum of first two terms is 8. Then, the common ratio of the G.P. is

(a) 

 
(b) 

 
(c) 

(d) none of these

10. Let f(x) be a polynomial of second degree. If f(1) = f(–1) and a, b, c are in A.P., then f ′(a),
f ′ (b) and f ′ (c) are in
(a) Arithmetico-Geometric Progression
(b) A.P.
(c) G.P.
(d) H.P.

9
10. Sequences and Series

Answer & Solution

1. (a)
2y = x + z ...(i)

As tan–1 x, tan–1 
  

⇒tan   tan  
  
 
 
 
    
 
   by (i)
    

 
       


   
(x + z) = 0 or 1 – xz = x – y2

2. (b)
Since a,b, are in A.P. Therefore,
b-a = d and c-b = where d is the common difference of the A.P
⇒ a = b and c = b +. Now, abc = 4 ⇒ (b-d)b (b+d) = 4
⇒ But (b2 – d2) < b.b2 [since b2 – d2 < b2]
⇒ b(b2 – d2) <　b3　⇒　4 < b3
⇒ b3 > 4
⇒ b > 22/3
Hence minimum value of b is 22/3

3. (b)
      are in HP

⇒ 2b – x =  [If a,b,c are HP then b = 2/(1/a + 1/c)]
 


   

 
 
    
⇒    
     
  
Claim a –          are in G.P
  

           
 
 
      
 
             

b  cb  a   b  cb  a 
= a    c     a  b     b  c  
x x 
   b  a  b  c   b  a  b  c  
             
=              
                 

10
10. Sequences and Series
       
               
                
                       
          
                
      
=      
       
       
=     
         
we know that a,b,c are in G.P if b2 = ac
 
    
∵       






 
   



⇒            are on G.P


4. (a)
Let a = first A.M between 1 and 5

⇒ a = 1 +  

b = Second G.M between 1 and 5
 
⇒ b = 1 
  
 
and c = third H.M between 1 and 5
 
⇒   

×   ×
  



 
∴                        and abc = 5 

 
The cubic equation having a,b,c as it roots is
 

              

  
5. (a)



    


 
        

  
6. (c)
nth term 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + ...(2n – 1)
  


      

 

  
=   
  
= n2 + n – n = n2

    


  


11
10. Sequences and Series
7. (a)
12 – 22 + 32 – 42 + ...+(n–1)2 – n2
(1 + 2)(1 – 2) + (3 + 4)(3 – 4) + (n – 1 – n)(n – 1 + n)
–     
  
= – 


8. (c)

  
    

=   

   

   

   


    
      

  
 
 
 
 
 
               
    

 



  

   


    
    
  

9. (c)
f(x) = x3 + 2x – 8
f(x) = 3x2 + 2 > 0
f(x) is stricthy ↑ inp fn
f(4) = max = 64 + 8 – 8 = 64

 = 64 & a + ar = 8



a = 64(1-r) a(1 + r) = 8
64 (1 – r) (1 + r) = 8
64 (1 – r2) = 8

(1 – r2) = 


r2 = 


10. (b)
Let f(x) = Ax2 + Bx + C
∴ f(1) = A + B + C
and f(–1) = A – B + C
∵ f(1) = f(–1)
⇒ A + B + C = A – B + C
⇒ 2B = 0 ⇒ B = 0
∴ f(x) = Ax2 + C
⇒ f(x) = 2Ax
∴ f`(a) = 2Aa

12
10. Sequences and Series
f`(b) = 2Ab
and f`(c) = 2Ac
Also, a,b,c are in AP
So, 2Aa 2 Ab and 2Ac are in AP.
Hence, f`(a) f`(b) and (c) are also in AP

13
10. Sequences and Series

JEE Advanced Pattern Question Exercise

1. If log 2, log (2x – 1) and log (2x + 3) are in A.P., then x is equal to

 (c) log32
(a) 
 
(d) 
(b) log25 

2. a, b, c are in A.P. and a2, b2, c2 are in H.P. if

(a) a = b = c (c) a, b, c are in H.P.

 
(b) a, b,   c are in G.P. (d)   a, b, c are in G.P.
 

3. a, b, c ∊ R and a, b, c are in A.P. Match the expression in Column I with the

conditions/properties in Column II.
Column-I Column-II
(a) a , b , c2 are in A.P.
2 2
(p) a = b = c

(b) a2, b2, c2 are in G.P. (q)   a, b, c are in G.P.


(c) a2, b2, c2 are in H.P. (r) a, b,   c are in G.P.

 
(d) a + b + c =  (s) b 
 
p q r s
(a) ⓟ ⓠ ⓡ ⓢ
(b) ⓟ ⓠ ⓡ ⓢ
(c) ⓟ ⓠ ⓡ ⓢ
(d) ⓟ ⓠ ⓡ ⓢ

4. Suppose four distinct positive numbers a1, a2, a3, a4 are in G.P. Let b1 = a1, b2 = b1 + a2, b3
= b2 + a3 and b4 = b3 + a4.
Statement-I : The numbers b1, b2, b3, b4 are neither in A.P. nor in G.P.
Statement-II : The number b1, b2, b3, b4 are in H.P.
(a) Statement-I is false and Statement-II is true.
(b) Statement-I is true and Statement-II is false
(c) Statement-I and Statement-II both are true
(d) Statement-I and Statement-II both are false

14
10. Sequences and Series

5.
    
Statement-I :        
      
   
Statement-II :         
      
(a) Statement-I is false and Statement-II is true.
(b) Statement-I is true and Statement-II is false
(c) Statement-I and Statement-II both are true
(d) Statement-I and Statement-II both are false

Paragraph for Question Nos. 6 to 9

Given a sequence t1, t2, ... if its possible to find a function f(r) such that
tr = f(r + 1) –f(r)
then


t
 
r = f(n + 1) –f(1)
∞

6. Sum of the series 
  
 

is

(a) 2 (c) 1/2

(b) 1 (d) 1/4

7. If u1 = 1, un+1 = 2un + 1, then un+1 equals

(a) 2n + 1 (c) 2n – 2
(b) 2n+1 – 1 (d) 2n+1 – 2

∞

8. Sum of the


   
is

(a) 1 (c) 1/4

(b) 1/2 (d) 1/8

9. Sum of the series  r(r + 1) (r + 2) is


(a) 4 (n+3C2) (c) n2 – n

(b) 6 (n+3C4) (d) n2 + n


10. If xn = 12 + (2)(22) + 32 + (2)(42) + ... = n(n + 1)2/2 if n is even, then  is
 

15
10. Sequences and Series

Answer & Solution

1. (b)
Since the terms are in AP
So , 2*log(2x - 1) = log2 + log(2x + 3)
log(2x – 1)2 = log(2(2x + 3))
Let 2x = t
So , (t – 1)2 = 2(t + 3)
t2 + 1 – 2t = 2t + 6
t2 – 4t – 5 = 0
(t – 5)(t + 1) = 0
t = 5 , –1
But –1 is not as 2x cannot be –1 for any value of x
So 2x = 5,
x = log25

2. (a), (b), (d)

2  
2b = a + c, b = 
  
     
    
  
 
      
 
         
         
 
→ of (a – c)2 = 0 ⇒ a – c = 0
⇒ a = c
⇒ a = b = c
→ (a + b)2 + 2ac = 0
4b2 = –2ac
  
2
b =   
  

or  ×  


16
10. Sequences and Series
3.
(a) - (p)
(b) - (p)
(c) - (p), (q), ®
(d) - (s)

4. (c)
a1 = 1
a2 = 2
a3 = 4
a4 = 8
So, b1 = 1
b2 = 1 + 2 = 3
b3 = 3 + 4 = 7
b4 = 7 + 8 = 5
The numbers b1,b2,b3,b4 are not in G.P and A.P Statement-I is correct but Statement-II wrong.
a1 = 1
a2 = 2
a3 = 4
a4 = 8
So, b1 = 1
b2 = 1 + 2 = 3
b3 = 3 + 4 = 7
b4 = 7 + 8 = 15
The number are not in G.P and A.P Statement-I is correct but Statement-II wrong.

5. (c)
Statement-I and Statement-II both are true

6. (c)
∞



 
  


= lim
 → ∞  

    

 

  
lim 
 
  

 
→∞ 

lim 
→∞ 


    lim 
  

→∞ 

7. (b)
Un+1 – Un = 2Un+1 – (2Un–1 + 1)
= 2    
=        
=             
=      

17
10. Sequences and Series
      
=             
=             
= 2n+1 –1

8. (c)

  
    

r tr = 
    
=                 
2tr+1 = rtr – (r + 1) tr+1


 

      
   
∞



  


9. (b)
Tr = r(r + 1)(r + 2)
(r + 3)tr = r tr + 1
&tr + 4tr – &tr = &tr + 1
4tr = &tr + 1 – (r – 1)tr
∞

  





10. 2.
x5! = x50 + (57)2

=   

= 25 (57)2 + (57)2
= (57)2 × 13 × 12

 
 × 

18