Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions

Single Type
21 10
1. If  a = 693, where a1, a2, …, a21 are in A.P., then  a
j 2 i 1
j 1 i 0

is
(A) 361 (B) 396
(C) 363 (D) data insufficient
Ans: (C)
21
21
 a = 693 =
j1
j
2
(a1 + a21)

 a1 + a21 = 66
693
Now, a11 = A.M. = = 33
21
Now, a2 + a20 = a3 + a19 = … = a9 + a13 = a10 + a12
  a = 5 (a1 + a21) + a11
10

2 i 1
i0

= 5  66 + 33 = 363

2. If 2( y  a ) is the H.M. between y  x, y  z, then x  a, y

 a, z  a are in
(A) A.P. (B) G.P.
(C) H.P. (D) none of these
Ans: (B)
 2( y  a ) is H.M. between y x, y  z
 2
= 1
+ 1
2( y  a ) yx yz

1
 1 1
=  (1)
( y  a )  ( x  a ) ( y  a )  (z  a )

Let x  a = X, y  a = Y, z  a = Z
then (1) reduces to
1
= 1 + 1
Y YX Y Z

Y2 = ZX
 X, Y, Z are in G.P.
or x  a, y  a, z  a are in G.P.

3. If bn is the nth term of a G.P. with first term 1 and

common ratio r, then the minimum value of b1  b3 + b5
(for different r)
(A) is 1/4 (B) is 1
(C) is 3/4 (D) does not exist
Ans: (C)
 b1 = 1, b3 = r2 & b5 = r4
 b1  b3 + b5 = 1  r2 + r4
2
 2 1
= r   + 3
 3
 2 4 4

 Minimum value of b1  b3 + b5 is 3 .
4

4. If S1, S2, S3 … are the sums of n, 2n and 3n terms of a A.P.

respectively then which of the following is true
(A) S3 = 2(S2  S1) (B) S4 = 2(S3  S1)
(C) S1 + S3 = 2S2 (D) S5  S4 = S2
2
Ans: (B)
S1 = n (2a + n  1 d)
2
S2 = n(2a + 2n  1 d)
S3 = 3n ( 2a + 3n  1d )
2
S4 = 2n( 2a  4n  1d )
2(S3  S1)= 2  n 6a  9n  3d  2a  n  1d 
2 

= n(4a + 8n  2 d] = S4

5. If a, b, c are in A.P. & a2, b2, c2 are in G.P., then the

common ratio of G.P. is
(A) 1 (B) 3+ 22
(C) 3  22 (D) none of these
Ans: (D)
2b = a + c
b2 = ra2
c2 = r2a2
 4b2 = a2 + c2 + 2ac
 4ra2  a2  r2a2 = 2a2r
 r2  2r + 1 = 0  r = +1

6. Let geometric mean of 8th and 9th terms of a G.P.

(Number of terms is 16) is 2, then the product of terms
is
(A) 28 (B) 24
3
 (C) 216 (D) none of these
Ans: (A)
2 = t .t  a.r ar = 2
7 8
8 9

a2r15 = 2
P16 = t1t2 … t16
= a16r1 + 2 + … + 15 = a16r120 = (a2r15)8 = 28

7. If a, b and c be three unequal positive quantities in H.P.

then
(A) a3/2 + b3/2 > 2b1/2 (B) a5 + b5 > 2b5
(C) a2 + b2 > 2b3 (D) none of these
Ans: (B)
(an/2  cn/2)2 > 0
 an + cn > 2an/2 cn/2 (1)
G.M. > H.M.  ac > b  2(ac)n/2 > 2bn (2)
From (1) & (2)
an + cn > 2bn put n = 5 a5 + c5 > 2b5

8. If a1, a2, a3 ……..are in A.P. Such that ai  0 and

1 1 1 1
Sn     .......... ; then Lt S n is equal to
a1 a 3 a2 a4 a3 a5 x 
a n a n 2

 1 1  1   1 1  1 
(A)     (B)    
 a2 a1  a3  a1   a2 a1  a3  a1 
 1 1  1   1 1  1 
(C)     (D)    
 3
a a1  3
a  a1  3
a a1  3
a  a1

Ans: (A)

4
 1 1 1 1
Sn     .........
a1a3 a2 a4 a3a5 an an  2

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 
Sn         .......      
2d  a1 a3 a2 a4 a3 a5 an  2 an an 1 an 1 an an  2 

Where, 'd' in a2 – a1 = a3 – a2……….

 1 1  1 
S n     
 a1 a2  2d 
 1 1  1 
=    
 a1 a2  a3  a1 

n
9. If a1, a2, a3,…..an are in H.P. and f k    a r  a k then
r 1

a1 a a
, 2 ,......... . n are in
f 1 f 2  f n 

(A) A.P. (B) G.P.

(C) H.P. (D) none of these
Ans: (C)
n
f k   a k   a r = constant = N(say)
r 1

 f k   1  N

f k  N
 1
ak ak ak ak

 f 1 , f 2 , f 3 ...... f n  are in A.P.

a1 a2 a3 an

 a1 a a a
, 2 , 3 , ....... n are in H.P.
f 1 f 2  f 3 f n 

10. If a1, a2…………, an are in A.P and ai > 0 for each i = 1,

n 1
2, 3, ….., n, then  1
is equal to
i 1 a i2/13  a i1/13 a i1 / 3  a i2 / 3

5
 n 1 n 1
(A) (B)
a 2/3
n 1  a a  a12 / 3
1/ 3 1/ 3
n 1 1 a 2/3
n  a n`1 / 3  a12 / 3
n 1 n 1
(C) (D)
a 2/3
n  a a11 / 3  a12 / 3
1/ 3
n a 2/3
n 1  a a  a12 / 3
1/ 3 1/ 3
n 1 1

Ans: (C)
Let d be the common difference of the A.P.
Now, 1
=
ai 1  ai

ai1/13  ai1 / 3 1 1 / 3
 ai 1  ai1 / 3 
a i2/13  a i 1 a i  a i2 / 3
1/ 3 1/ 3
d
n 1
1
Thus, 
a i 1
2/3
i 1  a a i1 / 3  a i2 / 3
1/ 3
i 1

= 1  a   
n 1
1 1/ 3
1/ 3
i 1  a i1 / 3  a n  a11 / 3
d i 1 d
1 a n  a1 n 1
=  2/3
d a n  a n a1  a1
2/3 1/ 3 1/ 3 2/3
a n  a n a1  a12 / 3
1/ 3 1/ 3

Multiple Correct Type

11. If a, b, c are in A. P., and a2, b2, c2 are in H. P., then
c2
(A) a = b = c (B) a2 = b2 =
2
a
(C) a, b, c are in G. P. (D)  , b, c are in G. P.
2
Ans: (A, C, D)
2b = a + c (AP) (1)
2a 2c2
b2  (HP) (2)
a 2  c2
From (1) and (2),
ac
2
2a 2c2
  
 2  a c
2 2

a 2
 c2  a 2  c2  2ac   8a 2c2 ,

6
 On solving we get a = c
from b = a, a = b = c.

12. The sum of three numbers which are consecutive terms

of an A.P. is 21. If the second number is reduced by 1
while the third is increased by 1, three consecutive
terms of a G.P. result. The three numbers is
(A) 3, 7, 11 (B) 12, 7, 2
(C) 1, 7, 11 (D) none of these
Ans: (A, B)
Let the three numbers in A.P. be a - d, a, a + d
Given (a - d) + a + (a + d) = 21
 3a = 21,  a = 21  3 = 7
 The numbers are 7 - d, 7, 7 + d
If the second number is reduced by 1 while the third number
is increased by 1, the resulting numbers are 7 - d, 6, 8 + d
which are given to be in G.P.
8d
 6

7d 6

 36 = (7 - d) (8 + d)  36 = 56 - d - d2
 d2 + d - 20 = 0
 (d + 5) (d - 4) = 0  d = -5, 4
When d = -5
The numbers are 12, 7, 2
When d = 4, the numbers are 3, 7, 11.

7
13. If a, a  2, a  10 be three consecutive terms of G.P., then
2 3

the fourth term is

(A) 0 (B) 6
729
(C) (D) 54
16
Ans: (C, D)
The given equation can be written as
2ax  2bx  2c  0
2
b  c  a etc.
  4  b  4ac   4  a  c   4ac   4  a  c 
2 2 2
 

 0

 Roots are real in any case and may be equal or unequal.

14. If the first and the  2n 1 term of an AP, GP and HP are
th

equal and their n terms are a, b and c respectively then

th

(A) a  b  c (B) a  b  c
(C) a  c  b (D) ac  b  0 2

Ans: (A, B, D)
Since, first and (2n – 1)th terms are equal.
Let first term be x and (2n – 1)th term by y.
Whose middle term is t . n

xy
Thus in arithmetic progression; tn  a
2
In geometric progression; t n  xy  b
2xy
In harmonic progression; tn  c
xy

 b 2  ac and a  b  c (Using AM > GM > HM)

8
 Here, equality holds (ie, a = b = c) only if all terms are
same.
Hence, option (A), (B) and (D) are correct.

15. Given that x  y  z  15 when a, x, y, z, b are in A.P. , and

1 1 1 5
   when a, x, y, z, b are in H.P. Then
x y z 3

(A) G.M. of a and b is 3

(B) One possible value of a  2b is 11
(C) A.M. or a and b is 6
(D) Greatest value of a  b is 8
Ans: (A, B, D)
ab
x  y  z  3 
 2 
(a  b)
 15  3
2
 a  b  10 ….(1)
1 1
3  
   
1 1 1 a b
x y z 2
5 3(a  b) 3 10
  
3 2ab 2ab
 ab  9 …(2)
From (1) & (2) a = 9, b = 1 or a = 1, b = 9
Hence, G.M.  ab  3 , a + 2b = 11 or 19

 1 1 1  1 1 1 
16. If a, b, c are in H.P., then the value of        is
 b c a  c a b 

9
 2 1 1 3 2 1 
(A)  (B)    
bc b 2 4  c 2 ca a 2 
3 2
(C)  (D) none of these
b 2 ab
Ans: (A, B, C)
As a, b, c are in H.P.
 1/a, 1/b, 1/c are in A.P.
 2 1 1
  ... (i)
b a c
 1 1 1  1 1 1   1 1 1 2  1 1 1 
               from (i)
 b c a  c a b   b c c b  c b c 
2 1
= 
bc b 2
 1 1 1  1 1 1   1 1 1 1  1 1 1 1 
Also,                 from (i)
 b c a   c a b   2a 2c c a   c a 2a 2c 
1 3 2 1 
=    
4  c 2 ca a 2 
 1 1 1  1 1 1   1 2 1 1  1 1 1  3 2
Also,                 2 
 b c a   c a b   b b a a   b a a  b ab

17. If the first and  2n 1 terms of an A.P; a G.P. and H.P.
th

are equal and their n terms are p,q and s respectively,

th

then which of the following options is/are correct?

(A) p  q  s (B) p  s  q
(C) ps  q 2
(D) p  q  s
Ans: (A, C)
Let the first term be a and  2n 1 term be b then th

 ba  a b
p  a   n  1 d  a   n  1  
 2n  2  2

10
 n 1 1
 b  2n  2  b 2
q  a.r n 1  a    a    ab
a a
 1 1 1 1
1 1    
   n  1  b a   a b
s a  2n  2  2
 
p, q, r are the A.M, G.M, H.M of a, b.
 p  q  r and ps  q 2

18. If log3, log  3x  2 , log  3x  3 are in A.P. Then x is given by

 1  21   1  21 
(A) log3   (B) log3  
 2   2 
 2  21 
(C)  
log 3 1  21  log 3 2 (D) log3  
 2 
Ans: (B, C)
 log 3, log  3x  2  , log 3x  3 are in AP.
 2log  3x  2   log 3  log 3x  3   3x  2   3  3 x  3 
2

  y  2   3  y  3 where
2
y  3x

1  21
y or y  1  21
but 3 x

1  21
2 2 2
1  21
 3x 
2  
 x  log 3  1  21 / 2 
 

19. The pth term Tp of HP is q(p + q) and qth term Tq is p (p

+ q) when p > 1, q > 1, (p  q) then
(A) T  pqpq (B) T  p  q pq

(C) Tp  q  Tpq (D) Tpq  Tp  q

11
Ans: (A, B, C)
Tp of AP 
1
 A  (p  1)D … (i)
q(p  q)

Tq of AP 
1
 A  (q  1)D … (ii)
P(p  q)
1 1
 A  (p  q  1)D and  A  (pq  1)D .
Tp q Tpq

Now, solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get

1
AD
pq(p  q)
1 1 1 1
  A  (p  q  1)D  (p  q)D  and  A  f (p  q  1)D  pqD 
Tp q pq Tpq pq

 Tp  q  pq and Tpq  p  q

Also, pq  p  q i. e, Tp  q  Tpq

20. If a1 , a 2 , a 3 ......., a 24 be the terms of an A.P. such that

a1  a 5  a10  a15  a 20  a  225, then
24

(A) a 1  a 24  90 (B) a  a  75 1 24

(C) S 24  900 (D) S  750 24

Ans: (B, C)
a1 , a 2 , a 3 ,....., a 2n are in A.P.,
then a1  a 24  a 2  a 23  a 3  a 22  ......

 a1  a 24  a 5  a 20  a10  a15  ......

225
 a1  a 24   75
3
24 24
 S24   a1  a 24    75  900
2 2

12
 Integer Type
21. If a,b,c are the pth, qth and rth terms respectively of a
GP, then (q – r) log a + (r – p) log b + (p – q) log c is equal
to
Ans: (0)
a  p 1 , b  q 1 , c  r 1

(where  is first term of GP and  is common ratio)

On taking logarithm on both sides, we get
log a  log    p  1 log 

log b  log    q  1 log 

log c  log    r  1 log 

Put values of log a, log b and log c from (i), (ii) and (iii) in
 q  r  log a   r  p  log b   p  q  log c, we get ‘0’.

22. An infinite G. P. has first term x and sum 5. Then, the

number of integral value of x is
Ans: (9)
x
5  x
 1 r
1 r 5
x
r  1
5
For finite value of |r| <1
x
1  1  1
5
x
1  1  1
5

 5  x  5  5  0 < x < 10  x has 9 integrals values.

13
23. The largest positive term of the H.P. whose first two
terms are 2/5 and 12/23 is….
Ans: (6)
5 7
a  ,d
2 12
5  7 37
tn  0   (n  1)     0  n  n  5
2  12  7
5  7 1
 t5   4   
2  12  6

 Term = 6.

24. If log145 , log (3x 11)

5 , log (3x  (61/7)) 5 are in H.P., find the value of
x.
Ans: (3)
1 1 1
, , are in A.P.
log14 5 log (3x 11) 5 log (3x (61/7)) 5

 log514, log5 (3x - 11), log5 (3x - (61/7)) are in A.P.

 2log5 (3x - 11) = log514 + log5 (3x - (61/7))
 log5 (3x - 11)2 = log5 [14 (3x - (61/7))]  (3x - 11)2 =
(14.3x - 122)
 3x = 9, 27  x = 2, 3
But x = 2 is not satisfy the condition.
 x = 3.

ba bc
25. If a, b, c are in H.P. Then the value of  is ....
ba bc
Ans: (2)
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 a, b, c are in H.P.
 b
2ac
 ba 
2ac
a (Adding a on both side)
a c ac
a 2  ac
 ba 
ac
ac  a 2
Now b – a =
ac
c 2  3ac ac  a 2
and b + c = and bc 
ac ac

 ba  bc  a  3ac c 2  3ac

2

ba bc ac  a 2 ac  c 2
a  3c a  3a 1
   [a  3c  c  3a]  2
ca a c ca

 7
26. If log3 2,log3  2x  5 and log 3  2 x   are in A.P. then x = k .
 2

Then 2K is equal to
Ans: (6)
 7
log 32 , log 3  2 x  5  , log 3  2 x   in A.P.
 2
 7
2  5  2  2x  
x 2

 2

  y  5   2.y  7  where y =
2
2x

y2  12y  32  0

y = 4,8
 2x  22 or23
 x  2or3 but 2x  5  0

 x  3 only

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27. If  is the first term of an infinite G.P. whose sum is 2.
Then a <  < b. Then a  b is equal to
2
Ans: (2)

2 but 1  r  1
1 r
 
  1 r  r  1
2 2

 1  1  1 0  r  4
2

a 0 b  4

 17 x 1 
28. If log52, log5 (2x - 3) and log5  2  are in A.P., then
 2 
find the value of x.
Ans: (3)
 17 x 1 
log5 (2x - 3) = log52 + log5  2 
 2 

 log5 (2x - 3)2 = log5 2  17  2 x 1 


 2 

 (2x - 3)2 = 17 + 2x
 (2x - 8) (2x + 1) = 0  2x = 8 or 2x = -1 (N.P.)
 2x = 8  x = 3.

29. If a, x, y, z, b are in A.P. then x + y + z = 15 and if a, x, y,

z, b are in H.P. then 1  1  1  5 , then the value of | a  b |
x y z 3

Ans: (8)
a, x, y, z, b are in A.P.

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  2y  x  z  a  b  3y  x  y  z  3y  15  y  5  a  b  10

If a, x, y, z, b are in H.P.

2 1 1 1 1 3 5 9 1 1 10
       y     ab  9
y x z a b y 3 5 a b 9

After solving a = 9, b = 1 or a = 1, b = 9
 ab 8

ba bc
30. If a, b, c are in H.P. Then the value of  is ....
ba bc
Ans: (2)
a, b, c are in H.P.
 b
2ac
a c

 ba 
2ac
a (Adding a on both side)
ac
a 2  ac
 ba 
ac
ac  a 2 c 2  3ac
Now b – a = and b + c =
ac ac
ac  a 2
and bc 
ac
a  3c a  3a
 ba  bc  a  3ac c 2  3ac
2
1
    [a  3c  c  3a]  2
ba bc ac  a 2
ac  c 2
ca a c ca

17