Progressions

Arithmetic Progression

1
Progressions - AP

Let us consider the following Sequences

1,4,7,10,13,……….
2,6,10,14,18,……..
√2, 2√2,3√2,4√2,…..
1+√2, 2+2√2,3+3√2,4+4√2,…..
10,7,4,1,-2,-5,………………….
-1,-3,-5,-7,……………………….
In all these sequences difference between any 2
consecutive terms is same. Such sequences are
called Arithmetic Progression.
t1 = a
tn = a + (n – 1)d
“d” is the common difference
2
Progressions - AP
Let us consider 6 terms of an A.P. 1,4,7,10,13,16
1+16 = 4+13 = 7+10
t1+t6 = t2+t5 = t3+t4
t1+tn = t2 + tn–1 = t3 + tn–2 = ……..= tr + tn–r+1
Sn = t1 + t2 + ……………….. + tn
Sn = tn + tn-1 + ……………….. + t1
2Sn = (t1+tn)+(t2+tn-1) +...... (tn+t1)
2Sn = n(t1+tn)

Sn = n (t1+tn)
2
Sn = n [tr+tn-r+1]
2
Sn = n [2a+(n-1)d]
2 3
Progressions - AP

If t7 = 11, What is the If t3 = 7, What is the

sum of first 13 terms? sum of first 5 terms?
13 [2a+(13-1)d] 5 [2a+(5-1)d]
S13 = S5 =
2 2

S13 = 13 [2a+12d] S5 = 5 [2a+4d]

2 2
S13 =13 (a +6d) S5= 5 (a +2d)
S13 =13 t7 S5 = 5*t3
S13 =13 *11 S5 = 5 *7
S13 =143 S5 =35

4
Progressions - AP

In an AP, if n is odd, Consider the Seq.,

Sn = n * middle term. 4,7,10,13, 16,19, 22
S2k – 1 = (2k–1) tk
S7 = 91 t4 = 91
/7 = 13
S2K-1
tK = S7 = 91
2K-1
S7
Consider the Seq., t4=
7
1,5,9,13,17, 21, 25,29,33
S9 = 153 t4=13
S9
t5=
9

t5=17 5
Progressions - AP
There are 2 Arithmetic Progressions. The ratio of
sum of n terms of the two A.Ps. is 11n – 15 : 5n –
6. What is the ratio of their 11 term?
1 1
S2K-1 S2K-1 tK S2K-1
tK = tK = =
2K-1 2K-1 tK
2 2
S2K-1
1 1 1
t11
1 S21 t11
1
11*21 - 15 t11 216 t11 24
= = 2 =
=
2 2 t11
2 t11 99 2
t11 11
t11 S21 5*21 - 6

Ratio of sum of n terms of the two A.Ps. is

[an+b]:[cn+d]. Ratio of their Kth term can
be obtained by substituting n = (2k-1)
6
Progressions - AP

Find the sum up to Find the sum up to

100 terms of an AP 30 terms of an AP
whose t2 is 2 ½ & t29
whose t14 is 22⅞ &
is 47 ½.
t87 is 77⅛.
100 [t + t ] 30 [t + t ]
S100 = S30 = 1 30
2
1 100
2

S100 =50[t14 + t87] S30 =15[t2+t29]

S100 =5000 S30 =750

7
Progressions - AP t1 20
i=5
How many terms of the t2 18
∑ ti = 80
sequence 20, 18, 16, 14, t3 16 i=1
………… should be taken
t4 14
for Sn = 80 ? 80
tt56 12
10
Sn = n/2 [2a + (n – 1)d]
80 =n/2[40 -2(n – 1)] t7 8
80 = n[20 -(n – 1)] t8 6
80 = 21n –n2 t9 4
n2 -21n+80 = 0 i = 16
(n- 5) (n- 16)= 0 t10 2
n = 5 or 16 . t12 -2
0
∑ ti = 80
For a given sum, “n” can
11
i=1
t13 -4
take 2 values
If t1 & common difference t14 -6 n = 5 or 16
are of different signs, then t15 -8
“n” can take 2 values 80
t16 -10 8
Progressions - AP

How many terms are common to

2,5,8,11,……98
&
3,7,11,15,… ….119.
First term common to both 2 A.P. is 11.
Next term common to both the sequences is 23.
Next term common to both the sequences is 35.
Common difference is 12 (LCM of 3 & 4).
11+12(n-1)≤ 98 [Minimum of 98 & 119]
12(n-1) ≤ 87
(n-1) ≤ 7
n≤ 8 implies n = 8

9
Progressions - AP

How many terms are common to

2,6,10,14,..142
&
4,10,16,22,… ….136.
First term common to both 2 A.P. is 10.
Next term common to both the sequences is 22.
Next term common to both the sequences is 34.
Common difference is 12 (LCM of 4 & 6).
10+12(n-1)≤ 136 [Minimum of 142 & 136]
12(n-1) ≤ 126
(n-1) ≤ 10
n≤ 11 implies n = 11
10
Progressions - AP

Find the maximum sum t1 = 20

of the sequence 20 ,
191/3 , 182/3 , 18 , 171/3 , -2
d=
3
…………
As the common -2
tn=20- (n-1)
3
difference is negative
at some stage the term 0=20- (n-1) -2
3
will become zero or
negative. What is n = 31
required is to find the S31 = 31 (t1+t31)
sum up to term 2
becoming zero or the S31 =310
last positive term.

11
Progressions - AP

Find the minimum sum t1 = -20

of the sequence -20 ,
-191/3 , -182/3 , -18 , 2
d=
3
-171/3 ,…………
-2
As the common tn=-20+(n-1)
3
difference is positive at
some stage the term 0=-20+ (n-1) -2
3
will become zero or
n = 31
positive. We are
supposed to find sum S31 = 31 (t1+t31)
up to term becoming 2
zero or the last S31 =- 310
negative term.
12
Progressions - AP

2,6,10,14,18 …………. 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,1

Add 2 to each term. If we remove first three
4,8,12,16,20……continues terms, we get 8,10, 12,
to be in A.P. 14, 16, 18 …..which is
also in A.P.
Multiply each term by 3.
If we remove last three
12,24,36,48,60 ..continues terms, we get
to be in A.P. 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,….
Subtract 3 from each term. which is also in A.P.
9,21,33,45,57… continues Removing some
to be in A.P. consecutive terms in
Divide each term by 3. the beginning or in the
3,7,11,15,19 …continues to end does not affect the
be in A.P. nature of A.P.

If an arithmetical operation is performed using a

constant “k” on a sequence in AP, the resultant
sequence will also be in AP.
13
Progressions - AP
In an A.P., sum of first 3 terms is equal to sum
of first 4 terms. Find the sum of first 7 terms.
S3 = t1 + t2 + t3
S4 = t1 + t2 + t3 + t4
As S3 = S4, t4 = 0
S7 =7*t4 = 7*(0) = 0

In an A.P., sum of first 6 terms is equal to sum

of first 8 terms. Find the sum of first 14 terms.
S6 = t1+t2+t3 +t4+t5+t6
S8 = t1+t2+t3 +t4+t5+t6+t7+t8
As S6 = S8, t7+t8 = 0
S14 =14(t7+t8) = 0 14
Progressions - AP

Sum of first “p” terms of an AP is equal to sum

of the first “q” terms of the same progression.
What is the sum of first (p+q) terms?
Sp = t1 + t2 + t3+ … t p

Sq = t1 + t2 + t3 + … t q

If q > p, tp+1+ tp+2 + …+ t q = 0

(q-p) (q-p)
[tp+1+tq] = 0 [2a+(p+q-1)d] = 0
2 2
[2a+(p+q-1)d] = 0
(p+q)
S(p+q) = [2a+(p+q-1)d]
2 S( p + q ) = 0
15
 Progressions - AP

Sum of first “30” terms of an Sum of first “50” terms of an

AP is equal to sum of the first AP is 60 and sum of the first
“40” terms of the same “70” terms of the same
progression. What is the progression is also 60 . What
value of t31+t40? is the value of t52+t69?
S30 = S40 implies that S70 = 0 S50 = S70 implies that S120 = 0

{t1 + t70} = 0 {t1 + t120} = 0

{t31+ t40} = 0 {t51+ t70} = 0
{t52+ t69} = 0
{t32+ t39} = 0
{t53+ t68} = 0
{t33+ t38} = 0
{t54+ t67} = 0
{t34+ t37} = 0
16
Progressions - AP
Sum of first 3 terms of an AP is equal to 2
and sum of the first 2 terms of the same
AP is 3. What is sum of first 5 terms?
S3 = t1+ t2 + t3 = 2
S 2 = t1 + t2 = 3
t3 = -1
S5 = 5 * t3 = -5
Sum of first 5 terms of an AP is equal to 6
and sum of the first 6 terms of the same
AP is 5. What is sum of first 11 terms?
S6 = t1+t2+t3+t4+t5+t6 = 5
S5 = t1+t2+t3 +t4+t5 = 6
t6 = - 1
S11 = 11 * t6 = -11 17
 Progressions - AP
In an A.P., sum of first 4 terms is 6 and
sum of first 6 terms is 4, find the sum of
first 10 terms.
S6 = t1+t2+t3+t4+t5+t6 = 4 10
S10 = [-2]
S4 = t1+t2+t3 +t4 = 6 2
t5+t6 = -2 S10 = -10

In an AP, if sum of first m terms is n and

sum of first n terms is m, Sum of first
(m+n) terms.
Sm = n Sn = m S(m+n) = -(m+n)

18
Progressions - AP

(b+c) (c+a) (a+b)

If & are in AP
a , b c
then a,b & c are in ………… Progression
(b+c) (c+a) (a+b)
a c are in AP
, b ,
Adding 1 to all terms,
(a+b+c) (a+b+c) (a+b+c)
a are in AP
, b , c
Dividing each term by (a+b+c)
1 1 1
a , b , c are in AP

a,b,c are in H.P.

19
Progressions - AP

In a triangle if Sin A, Sin B & Sin C are in

AP then altitudes to BC, CA & AB are in
what progression?
Multiplying by 2R,
2RSinA, 2RSinB & 2RSinC are in AP
a , b , c are in AP
a
/2∆ b/2 ∆ c/2 ∆ are in AP
Altitudes are in HP
a b c Area of ABC
= =
SinA SinB SinC= 2R
1 [a*h ]
= 1
2
1 a
=
h1 2
20
Progressions - AP

If there are three terms in AP, the terms are

taken as a – d, a , a + d.
If there are four terms in AP, the terms are
taken as a – 3d, a - d, a + d & a+3d.
If there are five terms in AP, the terms are
taken as a –2d, a-d, a , a + d , a + 2d
Sum of 3 terms in AP is 18 and product of
extreme terms is 20. Find the terms.
Let the terms be a – d, a , a + d.
3a = 18  a = 6
(6 – d) (6 + d) = 20
36 – d2 = 20
d2 = 16
d=4
Terms 2, 6, 10 or 10, 6, 2. 21
Progressions - AP
What should be added to 15*16*17*18 to
make it a perfect square?
15*16*17*18 =(15*18)(16*17) =270*272
=(271–1)*(271+1) = 2712 – 1
If 1 is added the product becomes a perfect
Square

What should be added to 10*12*14*16 to

make it a perfect square?
10*12*14*16 =(10*16)(12*14) =160*168
=(164–4)*(164+4) = 1642 – 16
If 16 is added the product becomes a perfect
Square

22
Progressions - AP
What should be added to 10*13*16*19 to
make it a perfect square?
10*13*16*19 = (10*19)(13*16) =190*208
=(199– 9)*(199+ 9)= 1992 – 81
If 81 is added the product becomes a perfect
Square

What should be added to 12*16*20*24 to

make it a perfect square?
12*16*20*24 = (12*24)(16*20) =288*320
= (304 - 16)*(304+16)
= 3042 – 256
If 256 is added the product becomes a
perfect Square

23
Progressions - AP

To make the
No. to
product a perfect
d be why
square by adding a
added
number
15 * 16 * 17 * 18 1 1 144
10 * 12 * 14 * 16 2 16 2
10 * 13 * 16 * 19 3 81 34
5 * 9 * 13 * 17 4 256 44

24
Progressions - AP
Let us take 2 numbers 2,12.
Arithmetic Mean of numbers is 7.
Let us write the sequence 2, 7, 12,
They are in AP. 

Let us take 2 numbers 1,9.

Arithmetic Mean of numbers is 5.
Let us write the sequence1, 5, 9,
Arithmetic Mean of numbers 1&5 is 3.
Arithmetic Mean of numbers 5 & 9 is 7.
Let us write the sequence 1,3,5,7,9.
These are in AP.

25
Progressions - AP

If n Arithmetic Means are introduced

between 2 numbers a and b, the resultant
sequence will be in AP.
a , A1, A2, A3,…………. An, b
where A1, A2, A3,... An are arithmetic means.
(b -a)
t1=a t(n+2)=b b=a+(n+1)d d=
(n+1)
Sum of n AMs

Sn = n [A1+An]
2
n
Sum of n AMs= [a+b]
2

26
Progressions - AP
If n Arithmetic Means are introduced between
two numbers 5 and 17 and sum of these “n”
AMs is 121,what is the value of n and what is
the common difference?

n [5+17] n = 11
Sum of n AMs = 121 =
2
(17 - 5)
d= d=1
12
If n Arithmetic Means are introduced between
2 numbers 5 and 95 and sum of these “n” AMs
is 2200,what is the value of n and what is the
common difference?
n
Sum of n AMs= 2200 = [5+95] n = 44
2
(95 - 5)
d= 45 d=2
27
 Progressions - AP

The internal angles of 13n+n(n–1)15/8 =(36n-72)

a polygon are in
104n+15n2-15n=288n-576
arithmetic Progression.
15n2 – 199n + 576 = 0
The smallest angle
measures 650 and the 3*5*9*64= 135*64
common difference is 15n2 –135n–64n+ 576 = 0
18¾0.The number of 15n(n – 9) – 64(n - 9) = 0
sides of the polygon is (n-9)(15n-64)=0
1)8 2) 9 3) 10 4) 7 5) 11
n=9
n [130 +75 (n -1)]
(n-2)180 = 2
4
75
(n-2)180 = n [65 + (n -1)]
8 28
Progressions - AP
In an AP, the no. of terms t2 - t1 = d
is even. Sum of even t4 – t3 = d
numbered terms is 45 and
sum of odd numbered t6 – t5 = d
terms is 30. Last term …………….
exceeds the first term by …………….
27. Find a, n & d. tn – t(n-1) = d
Sum of even numbered terms n (d)
–Sum of odd numbered terms = 2
n
(d) = (45 – 30) nd = 30 (n-1)d = 27 d=3 n=10
2
10 (2a+27) a=- 6
75 =
2
29
Progressions - AP
In an AP, the no. of terms t2 - t1 = d
is even. Sum of even t4 – t3 = d
numbered terms is 60 and
sum of odd numbered t6 – t5 = d
terms is 30. Last term …………….
exceeds the first term by …………….
55. Find a, n & d. tn – t(n-1) = d
Sum of even numbered terms n (d)
–Sum of odd numbered terms = 2
n
(d) = (60 – 30) nd = 60 (n-1)d = 55 d=5 n=12
2
12 (2a+55) a=- 20
90 =
2
30
 Progressions - AP
In an AP, sum of even
numbered terms is 90 nd n d (n-1)d
and sum of odd
60 60 1 59
numbered terms is 60.
If n is even and d is an 60 30 2 58
integer, how many 60 20 3 57
values tn – t1 can take?
60 12 5 55
• n
/2 (d) = (90-60)
60 10 6 54
• n d = 60
60 6 10 50
• From the table
• tn – tn-1 60 4 15 45
can take 7 values

31
Progressions - AP
Find the sum of all the natural numbers
between 70 and 250 which are neither
divisible by 6 nor 8.
179
Sum of all numbers = 2 (71+249)
30
Sum of Nos. div by 6 = 2 (72+246)
23
Sum of Nos. div by 8 = 2 (72+248)
8
Sum of Nos. div by 24 =
2 (72+240)

Answer= 179 *160 – 15*318 -23*160 +312*4

Answer= 28640– 4770-3680 +1248=21438
Progressions - AP
Find the sum of all the perfect cubes from 60
to 1000.
S = 43+53+63+73+83+93+103
S =[13+23+33+ 43+53+63+73+83+93+103] - (13+23+33)
S = 3025 – 36 = 2989

Find the ratio of the common differences d1

and d2 of two arithmetic progression if the
respective nth terms are in the ratio of 2n+3 :
n-11.
t11 = 5k t12 = 7k d1 = 2k

t21 = -10k t22 = -9k d2 = k

d1 = 2k
d1 2
d2 k =
d2 1
Progressions - AP

Five heavy stones are placed , on the road

connecting P and Q, at intervals of 4m, with
the first stone at P itself. Ajay started from P
and began to move all the stones to Q by
carrying one stone at a time. If the distance
PQ is 20m. Find the minimum distance he has
to reach.
P
4M s2
4M s3
4M s4
4M s5
4M Q

Distance = PQ+QS2+S2Q+
+QS3+S3Q+QS4+S4Q+QS5+S5Q
Distance = 20+2*16+2*12+2*8+2*4
Distance = 20+32+24+16+8 = 100
 Progressions - AP
S={1,2,3,……….,400}. Find the number if
arithmetic progressions , which can be
formed from the elements of S, which began
with 1 and end with 400 and have at least 3
elements.
t1 = 1 tn = 400 (n – 1)d = 399

(n – 1)d d (n – 1) n
399 1 399 400 There are 7
399 3 133 134 Arithmetic
399 7 57 58 Progressions
399 19 21 22
399 21 19 20
399 57 7 8
399 133 3 4
Progressions - AP

From the first n natural numbers, three

numbers in A.P. are left out. The average of
the remaining numbers is 103⁄4. Find n as well
as removed numbers if one of the removed
number is a perfect square?
(n -2) (n–3) ≤ 43 (n -3) ≤ (n -3) (n+4)
2 4 2
43
(n -2) ≤ ≤ (n+4)
2
18 ≤ n ≤ 23
(n-3) should be divisible by 4, n can take
values 19 or 23.

36
Progressions - AP

n (n+1) 43 (n -3) should be a multiple of 3

-
2 4
Sum of three numbers in AP will be a multiple
of 3.
If n = 23, 276-215 = 61 not a multiple of 3.
If n = 19, 190-172 = 18 - a multiple of 3.
Hence n= 19.
The removed numbers can be (1,6,11) or
(2,6,10) or (3,6,9) or (4,6,8) or (5,6,7).
As one of the numbers removed is a perfect
Square,(1,6,11) or (3,6,9) or (4,6,8)

37
Progressions - AP

If the terms of an A.P.√(a - x) , √x ,√(a + x)

are all integers where x , a >0 , then find the
least composite odd integral Value of “a”
2√x =√(a - x)+√(a + x) AS √x is an integer,
4x = 2a + 2√(a2 – x2)
4a must be a perfect
2x – a = √(a2 – x2) 5 square
4x2 - 4ax + a2 = (a2 – x2) a = 5 not possible
5 x2 = 4ax x= 0 a = 20 not possible
4a a = 45 possible
x=
5

38
Progressions - AP
If Sn represent sum of first n terms of an A.P.,
Snm/ Sn is independent of n what is the ratio of
first term to common difference where d ≠ 0.

Smn = mn [2a+(mn-1)d] Sn = n [2a+(n-1)d]

2 2
mn [2a+(mn-1)d]
Smn 2 Smn m [2a+(mn-1)d]
= =
Sn n [2a+(n-1)d] Sn [2a+(n-1)d]
2
Smn m [(2a-d)+mnd If (2a-d) = 0 then the ratio
=
Sn [(2a-d)+nd] is independent of n
[2a-d] = 0 a = 1
d 2
39
 Progressions - AP
(x + 1) (x + 3) (x + 5) (x + 7) = 5760
Find the real roots of x
Sol : - The AM’s of 1,3,5 & 7 is 4
Let y = x + 4 (AM of the terms)
( y2 – 9) ( y2 – 1) = 5760
y4 - 10y2 - 5751 = 0
y4 – 81y2 + 71y2 – (81*71) = 0
y2 ( y2 – 81) + 71( y2 – 81) = 0
(y2 + 71) ( y2 – 81) = 0
y = +9
x +4 = + 9
x= 5
x = - 13

40
 Progressions - AP

If x, 2y, 3z are in A.P., Which is greater

and x,y,z (x,y,z are 5099 & 99!
distinct) are in G.P., 502 > 1*99
What is the common ratio 502 > 2*98
of G.P.? 502 > 3*97
Let x = a, y=ar, z=ar2 .
2y –x = 3z-2y .
4y =(x+3z) .
4ar = a+3ar2
502 > 48*52
3ar2 - 4ar + a = 0
502> 49*51
a[3r2 – 4r +1] = 0
50 = 50
a[3r – 1] [r-1] = 0 Multiplying all the
r=1/3 terms,
r=1 not admissible as x, y 5099 > 99!
& Z are distinct. 41