Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir

RESONANCE 1
Sequence :
A sequence is a function whose domain is the set N of natural numbers. Since the domain for every
sequence is the set N of natural numbers, therefore a sequence is represented by its range. If
f : N R, then f(n) = t
n
, n e N is called a sequence and is denoted by
{f(1), f(2), f(3),...............} = {t
1
, t
2
, t
3
, ......................} = {t
n
}
Real sequence :
A sequence whose range is a subset of R is called a real sequence.
e.g. (i) 2, 5, 8, 11, .......................
(ii) 4, 1, 2, 5, ......................
(iii) 3, 9, 27, 81, ........................
Types of sequence :
On the basis of the number of terms there are two types of sequence.
(i) Finite sequences : A sequence is said to be finite if it has finite number of terms.
(ii) Infinite sequences : A sequence is said to be infinite if it has infinitely many terms.
Example # 1 : Write down the sequence whose n
th
term is
(i)
n
2
n
(ii)
n
n
3
) 1 ( 3 +
Solution : (i) Let t
n
=
n
2
n
put n = 1, 2, 3, 4, .............. we get
t
1
= 2, t
2
= 2, t
3
=
3
8
, t
4
= 4
so the sequence is 2, 2,
3
8
, 4, ........
(ii) Let t
n
=
n
n
3
) 1 ( 3 +
put n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ......
so the sequence is
3
2
,
9
4
,
27
2
,
81
4
,............
Series :
By adding or subtracting the terms of a sequence, we get an expression which is called a series. If
a
1
, a
2
, a
3
,........a
n
is a sequence, then the expression a
1
+ a
2
+ a
3
+ ...... + a
n
is a series.
e.g. (i) 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + .................... + n
(ii) 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + .................
(iii) 1 + 3 9 + 27 ..............
Sequence & Series
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 2
Progression :
The word progression refers to sequence or series finite or infinite
Arithmetic progressi on (A. P.) :
A.P. is a sequence whose successive terms are obtained by adding a fixed number 'd' to the preceding
terms. This fixed number 'd' is called the common difference. If a is the first term & d the common
difference, then A.P. can be written as a, a + d, a + 2 d,....... ,a + (n 1) d,........
e.g. 4, 1, 2, 5 ...........
n
th
term of an A.P. :
Let 'a' be the first term and 'd' be the common difference of an A.P., then
t
n
= a + (n 1) d, where d = t
n
t
n 1
Example # 2 : If t
54
of an A.P. is 61 and t
4
= 64, find t
10
.
Solution : Let a be the first term and d be the common difference
so t
54
= a + 53d = 61 .........(i)
and t
4
= a + 3d = 64 .........(ii)
equation (i) (ii) we get
50d = 125
d =
2
5
a =
2
143
so t
10
=
2
143
+ 9
|
.
|

\
|

2
5
= 49
Example # 3 : Find the number of terms in the sequence 4, 12, 20, ........,108.
Solution : a = 4, d = 8 so 108 = 4 + (n 1)8
n = 14
The sum of first n terms of an A.P. :
If a is first term and d is common difference, then sum of the first n terms of AP is
S
n
=
2
n
[2a + (n 1) d]
=
2
n
[a + ]
|
.
|

\
| +
2
1 n
nt , for n is odd. (Where is the last term and
|
.
|

\
| +
2
1 n
t is the middle term.)
Note : For any sequence {t
n
}, whose sum of first r terms is S
r
, r
th
term, t
r
= S
r
S
r 1
.
Example # 4 : Find the sum of all natural numbers divisible by 5, but less than 100.
Solution : All those numbers are 5, 10, 15, 20, ..........., 95.
Here a = 5, n = 19 & = 95
so S =
2
19
(5 + 95) = 950.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 3
Example # 5 : Find the sum of all the three digit natural numbers which on division by 7 leaves remainder 3.
Solution : All these numbers are 101, 108, 115, ........, 997
997 = 101 + (n 1) 7
n = 129
so S =
2
129
[101 + 997] = 70821.
Example # 6 : The sum of n terms of two A.Ps. are in ratio
27 n 4
1 n 7
+
+
. Find the ratio of their 111
th
terms.
Solution : Let a
1
and a
2
be the first terms and d
1
and d
2
be the common differences of twoA.P.s respectively,
then
] d ) 1 n ( a 2 [
2
n
] d ) 1 n ( a 2 [
2
n
2 2
1 1
+
+
=
27 n 4
1 n 7
+
+

2 2
1 1
d
2
1 n
a
d
2
1 n
a
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
27 n 4
1 n 7
+
+
For ratio of 11
th
terms
2
1 n
= 10 n = 21
so ratio of 11
th
terms is =
27 ) 21 ( 4
1 ) 21 ( 7
+
+
=
111
148
=
3
4
Example # 7 : If sum of n terms of a sequence is given by S
n
= 2n
2
+ 3n, find its 50
th
term.
Solution : Let t
n
is n
th
term of the sequence so t
n
= S
n
S
n 1
.
= 2n
2
+ 3n 2(n 1)
2
3(n 1)
= 4n + 1
so t
50
= 201.
Self practice problems :
(1) Which term of the sequence 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, ............. is the first negative term
(2) For an A.P. show that t
m
+ t
2n + m
= 2 t
m + n
(3) Find the maximum sum of the A.P. 40 + 38 + 36 + 34 + 32 + ..............
Answers : (1) 403 (3) 420
Remarks :
(i) The first term and common difference can be zero, positive or negative (or any complex number.)
(ii) If a, b, c are in A.P. 2 b = a + c & if a, b, c, d are in A.P. a + d = b + c.
(iii) Three numbers in A.P. can be taken as a d, a, a + d ;
four numbers in A.P. can be taken as a 3d, a d, a + d, a + 3d;
five numbers in A.P. are a 2d, a d, a, a + d, a + 2d ;
six terms in A.P. are a 5d, a 3d, a d, a + d, a + 3d, a + 5d etc.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 4
(iv) The sum of the terms of an A.P. equidistant from the beginning & end is constant and equal to
the sum of first & last terms.
(v) Any term of an A.P. (except the first) is equal to half the sum of terms which are equidistant
from it. a
n
= 1/2 (a
nk
+ a
n+k
), k < n. For k = 1, a
n
= (1/2) (a
n1
+ a
n+1
);
For k = 2, a
n
= (1/2) (a
n2
+ a
n+2
) and so on.
(vi) If each term of an A.P. is increased, decreased, multiplied or divided by the same non-zero
number, then the resulting sequence is also an AP.
(vii) The sum and difference of two AP's is an AP.
Example # 8 : The sum of three numbers in A.P. is 27 and the sum of their squares is 293, find them.
Solution : Let the numbers be a d, a, a + d
so 3a = 27 a = 9
Also (a d)
2
+ a
2
+ (a + d)
2
= 293.
3a
2
+ 2d
2
= 293
d
2
= 25 d = 5
therefore numbers are 4, 9, 14.
Example # 9 : If a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, a
4
, a
5
are in A.P. with common difference = 0, then find the value of

=
5
1 i
i
a
, when
a
3
= 2.
Solution : As a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, a
4
, a
5
are in A.P., we have a
1
+ a
5
= a
2
+ a
4
= 2a
3
.
Hence
=
5
1 i
i
a
= 10.
Example # 10 : If
c b
1
+
,
a c
1
+
,
b a
1
+
are in A.P., prove that a
2
, b
2
, c
2
are also in A.P..
Solution :
c b
1
+
,
a c
1
+
,
b a
1
+
are in A.P..

a c
1
+

c b
1
+
=
b a
1
+

a c
1
+

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

c b
a b
+

=
b a
b c
+

b
2
a
2
= c
2
b
2
a
2
, b
2
, c
2
are in A.P.
Example # 11 : If
a
a c b +
,
b
b a c +
,
c
c b a +
are in A.P., then prove that
a
1
,
b
1
,
c
1
are also in A.P. A.P.
Solution : Given
a
a c b +
,
b
b a c +
,
c
c b a +
are in A.P..
Add 2 to each term

a
a c b + +
,
b
b a c + +
,
c
c b a + +
are in A.P..
divide each by a + b + c
a
1
,
b
1
,
c
1
are in A.P..
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 5
Arithmetic mean (mean or average) (A.M.) :
If three terms are in A.P. then the middle term is called the A.M. between the other two, so if a, b, c are
in A.P., b is A.M. of a & c.
A.M. for any n numbers a
1
, a
2
,..., a
n
is; A =
a a a a
n
n 1 2 3
+ + + + .....
.
n - Arithmetic means between two numbers :
If a, b are any two given numbers & a, A
1
, A
2
,...., A
n
, b are in A.P., then A
1
, A
2
,... A
n
are the
n A.M.s between a & b.
A
1
= a +
b a
n

+ 1
, AA
2
= a +
2
1
( ) b a
n

+
,......, AA
n
= a +
n b a
n
( )
+ 1
Note : Sum of n A.M.s inserted between a & b is equal to n times the single A.M. between a & b
i.e.
r
n
=

1
A
r
= nA, where A is the single A.M. between a & b i.e. A =
2
b a +
Example # 12 : Between two numbers whose sum is
6
13
, an even number of A.M.s is inserted, the sum of
these means exceeds their number by unity. Find the number of means.
Solution : Let a and b be two numbers and 2n A.M.s are inserted between a and b, then
2
n 2
(a + b) = 2n + 1.
n |
.
|

\
|
6
13
= 2n + 1. (

= +
6
13
b a given
n = 6.
Number of means = 12.
Example # 13 : Insert 20 A.M. between 2 and 86.
Solution : Here 2 is the first term and 86 is the 22
nd
term of A.P. so 86 = 2 + (21)d
d = 4
so the series is 2, 6, 10, 14,......., 82, 86
required means are 6, 10, 14,...,82.
Self practice problems :
(4) If A.M. between p
th
and q
th
terms of an A.P. be equal to the A.M. between r
th
and s
th
terms of the
A.P., then prove that p + q = r + s.
(5) If n A.M.s are inserted between 20 and 80 such that first mean : last mean = 1 : 3, find n.
(6) For what value of n,
n n
1 n 1 n
b a
b a
+
+
+ +
, a = b is the A.M. of a and b.
Answers : (5) n = 11 (6) n = 0
Geometric progression (G.P.) :
G.P. is a sequence of numbers whose first term is non zero & each of the succeeding terms is equal to
the preceeding terms multiplied by a constant. Thus in a G.P. the ratio of successive terms is constant.
This constant factor is called the common ratio of the series & is obtained by dividing any term by
that which immediately preceeds it. Therefore a, ar, ar
2
, ar
3
, ar
4
,...... is a G.P. with 'a' as the first term
& 'r' as common ratio.
e.g. (i) 2, 4, 8, 16, .......
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 6
(ii)
3
1
,
9
1
,
27
1
,
81
1
,.......
Results : (i) n
th
term of GP = a r
n1
(ii) Sum of the first n terms of GP
S
n
=
( )

=
=

1 r , na
1 r ,
1 r
1 r a
n
(iii) Sum of an infinite terms of GP when |r| < 1. When n , r
n
0 if |r| < 1 therefore,
S

=
( )
a
r
r
1
1

< .
Example # 14 : If the first term of G.P. is 7, its n
th
term is 448 and sum of first n terms is 889, then find the fifth
term of G.P.
Solution : Given a = 7
t
n
= ar
n 1
= 7(r)
n 1
= 448.
7r
n
= 448 r
Also S
n
=
1 r
) 1 r ( a
n

=
1 r
) 1 r ( 7
n

889 =
1 r
7 r 448

r = 2
Hence T
5
= ar
4
= 7(2)
4
= 112.
Example # 15 : The first term of an infinite G.P. is 1 and any term is equal to the sum of all the succeeding
terms. Find the series.
Solution : Let the G.P. be 1, r, r
2
, r
3
, .........
given condition r =
r 1
r
2

r =
2
1
,
Hence series is 1,
2
1
,
4
1
,
8
1
, ..............
Example # 16 : Let S = 1 +
2
1
+
4
1
+
8
1
+ .........., find the sum of
(i) first 20 terms of the series (ii) infinite terms of the series.
Solution : (i) S
20
=
2
1
1
2
1
1
20

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
19
20
2
1 2
. (ii) S

=
2
1
1
1

= 2.
Self practice problems :
(7) Find the G.P. if the common ratio of G.P. is 3, n
th
term is 486 and sum of first n terms is 728.
(8) If the p
th
, q
th
, r
th
terms of a G.P. be a, b, c respectively, prove that a
q r
b
r p
c
p q
= 1.
(9) A G.P. consist of 2n terms. If the sum of the terms occupying the odd places is S
1
and that of
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 7
the terms occupying the even places is S
2
, then find the common ratio of the progression.
(10) The sum of infinite number of terms of a G.P. is 4, and the sum of their cubes is 192, find the
series.
Answers : (7) 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, 486 (9)
1
2
S
S
. (10) 6, 3,
2
3
,........
Remarks :
(i) If a, b, c are in G.P. b
2
= ac, in general if a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, a
4
,......... a
n 1
, a
n
are in G.P.,
then a
1
a
n
= a
2
a
n 1
= a
3
a
n 2
= ..........................
(ii) Any three consecutive terms of a G.P. can be taken as
r
a
, a , ar..
(iii) Any four consecutive terms of a G.P. can be taken as
3
r
a
,
r
a
, ar, ar
3
.
(iv) If each term of a G.P. be multiplied or divided or raised to power by the same nonzero quantity, the
resulting sequence is also a G.P..
(v) If a
1
, a
2
, a
3
,........ and b
1
, b
2
, b
3
,......... are two G.Ps with common ratio r
1
and r
2
respectively, then the
sequence a
1
b
1
, a
2
b
2
, a
3
b
3
, ..... is also a G.P. with common ratio r
1
r
2
.
(vi) If a
1
, a
2
, a
3
,..........are in G.P. where each a
i
> 0, then log a
1
, loga
2
, loga
3
,..........are in A.P. and its
converse is also true.
Example # 17 : Find three numbers in G.P. having sum 19 and product 216.
Solution : Let the three numbers be
r
a
, a, ar
so a (

+ + r 1
r
1
= 19 .......(i)
and a
3
= 216 a = 6
so from (i) 6r
2
13r + 6 = 0.
r =
2
3
,
3
2
Hence the three numbers are 4, 6, 9.
Example # 18 : Find the product of 11 terms in G.P. whose 6
th
term is 5.
Solution : Using the property
a
1
a
11
= a
2
a
10
= a
3
a
9
= .............. = a
6
2
= 25
Hence product of terms = 5
11
Example # 19 : Using G.P. express 3 . 0 and 3 2 . 1 as
q
p
form.
Solution : Let x = 3 . 0 = 0.3333 .............
= 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 + .............
=
10
3
+
100
3
+
1000
3
+
10000
3
+ ..............
=
10
1
1
10
3

=
9
3
=
3
1
.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 8
Let y =
3 2 . 1
= 1.233333
= 1.2 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 + .............
= 1.2 +
2
10
3
+
3
10
3
+
4
10
3
+ ............
= 1.2 +
10
1
1
10
3
2

= 1.2 +
30
1
=
30
37
.
Example # 20 : Evaluate 7 + 77 + 777 + ........... upto n terms.
Solution : Let S = 7 + 77 + 777 + ..........upto n terms.
=
9
7
[9 + 99 + 999 + .......]
=
9
7
[(10 1) + (10
2
1) + (10
3
1) + ........ + upto n terms]
=
9
7
[10 + 10
2
+ 10
3
+ ...........+ 10
n
n]
=
9
7
|
|
.
|

\
|

n
9
) 1 10 ( 10
n
=
81
7
[10
n + 1
9n 10]
Geometric means (mean proporti onal) (G.M.):
If a, b, c are in G.P., b is called as the G.M. of a & c.
If a and c are both positive, then b = ac and if a and c are both negative, then b = ac .
b = ac, therefore b = a c ; a > 0, c > 0.
n-Geometric means between a, b :
If a, b are two given numbers & a, G
1
, G
2
,....., G
n
, b are in G.P.. Then
G
1
, G
2
, G
3
,...., G
n
are n G.M.s between a & b.
G
1
= a(b/a)
1/n+1
, G
2
= a(b/a)
2/n+1
,......, G
n
= a(b/a)
n/n+1
Note : The product of n G.M.s between a & b is equal to the nth power of the single G.M. between a & b
i.e.
[
=
n
1 r
G
r
=
( )
n
ab
= G
n
, where G is the single G.M. between a & b.
Example # 21 : Insert 4 G.M.s between 2 and 486.
Solution : Common ratio of the series is given by r =
1 n
1
a
b +
|
.
|

\
|
= (243)
1/5
= 3
Hence four G.M.s are 6, 18, 54, 162.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 9
Self practice problems :
(11) The sum of three numbers in G.P. is 70, if the two extremes be multiplied each by 4 and the
mean by 5, the products are in A.P. Find the numbers.
(12) If a =

55
1 .......... 111
, b = 1 + 10 + 10
2
+ 10
3
+ 10
4
and c = 1 + 10
5
+ 10
10
+ ..... + 10
50
, then prove
that (i) a is a composite number (ii) a = bc.
Answers : (11) 10, 20, 40
Harmonic progression (H.P.)
A sequence is said to be in H.P if the reciprocals of its terms are in A.P.. If the sequence a
1
, a
2
, a
3
,....,
a
n
is in H.P. then 1/a
1
, 1/a
2
,...., 1/a
n
is in A.P.
Note : (i) Here we do not have the formula for the sum of the n terms of an H.P.. For H.P. whose first term
is a and second term is b, the n
th
term is t
n
=
a b
b n a b + ( )( ) 1
.
(ii) If a, b, c are in H.P. b =
2ac
a c +
or
a
c
=
a b
b c

.
(iii) If a, b, c are in A.P.
c b
b a

=
a
a
(iv) If a, b, c are in G.P.
c b
b a

=
b
a
Harmonic mean (H. M. ):
If a, b, c are in H.P., b is called as the H.M. between a & c, then b =
c a
ac 2
+
If a
1
, a
2
, ........ a
n
are n non-zero numbers then H.M. 'H' of these numbers is given by
H
1
=
n
1
(

+ + +
n 2 1
a
1
.......
a
1
a
1
Example # 22 : If m
th
term of H.P. is n, while n
th
term is m, find its (m + n)
th
term.
Solution : Given T
m
= n or
d ) 1 m ( a
1
+
= n; where a is the first term and d is the common difference of
the corresponding A.P.
so a + (m 1)d =
n
1
and a + (n 1) d =
m
1
(m n)d =
mn
n m
or d =
mn
1
so a =
n
1

mn
) 1 m (
=
mn
1
Hence T
(m + n)
=
d ) 1 n m ( a
1
+ +
=
1 n m 1
mn
+ +
=
n m
mn
+
.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 10
Example # 23 : Insert 4 H.M between
3
2
and
13
2
.
Solution : Let 'd' be the common difference of corresponding A.P..
so d =
5
2
3
2
13

= 1.

1
H
1
=
2
3
+ 1 =
2
5
or H
1
=
5
2
2
H
1
=
2
3
+ 2 =
2
7
or H
2
=
7
2
3
H
1
=
2
3
+ 3 =
2
9
or H
3
=
9
2
4
H
1
=
2
3
+ 4 =
2
11
or H
4
=
11
2
.
Example # 24 : If p
th
, q
th
, r
th
terms of an H.P. be a, b, c respectively, prove that
(q r)bc + (r p) ac + (p q) ab = 0
Solution : Let 'x' be the first term and 'd' be the common difference of the corresponding A.P..
so
a
1
= x + (p 1)d ...........(i)
b
1
= x + (q 1) d ..........(ii)
c
1
= x + (r 1) d ..........(iii)
(i) - (ii) ab(p q)d = b a ..........(iv)
(ii) - (iii) bc (q r)d = c b ..........(v)
(iii) - (i) ac (r p) d = a c ..........(vi)
(iv) + (v) + (vi) gives
bc (q r) + ac(r p) + ab (p q) = 0.
Self practice problems :
(13) If a, b, c be in H.P., show that a : a b = a + c : a c.
(14) If the ratio of H.M. between two positive numbers 'a' and 'b' (a > b) is to their G.M. as 12 to 13,
prove that a : b is 9 : 4.
(15) If H be the harmonic mean of a and b, then find the value of
a 2
H
+
b 2
H
1.
(16) If a, b, c, d are in H.P., then show that ab + bc + cd = 3ad
Answers : (15) 0
Relation between means :
(i) If A, G, H are respectively A.M., G.M., H.M. between a & b both being positive, then G = AH (i.e. A, G,
H are in G.P.) and A > G > H.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 11
Example # 25 : The A.M. of two numbers exceeds the G.M. by
2
3
and the G.M. exceeds the H.M. by
5
6
; find
the numbers.
Solution : Let the numbers be a and b, now using the relation
G
2
= AH
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
2
3
G |
.
|

\
|

5
6
G
= G
2
+
10
3
G
5
9
G = 6
i.e. ab = 36
also a + b = 15
Hence the two numbers are 3 and 12.
A.M. > G.M. > H.M.
Let a
1
, a
2
, a
3
, .......a
n
be n positive real numbers, then we define their
A.M. =
n
a ....... a a a
n 3 2 1
+ + + +
, their
G.M. = (a
1
a
2
a
3
.........a
n
)
1/n
and their
H.M. =
n 2 1
a
1
.......
a
1
a
1
n
+ + +
.
It can be shown that
A.M. > G.M. > H.M. and equality holds at either places iff
a
1
= a
2
= a
3
= ..............= a
n
Example # 26 : If a, b, c > 0, prove that
b
a
+
c
b
+
a
c
> 3
Solution : Using the relation A.M. > G.M. we have
3
a
c
c
b
b
a
+ +
>
3
1
a
c
.
c
b
.
b
a
|
.
|

\
|

a
c
c
b
b
a
+ +
> 3
Example # 27 : If x,y,z are positive, then prove that (x + y + z) |
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
z
1
y
1
x
1
> 9
Solution : Using the relation A.M. > H.M.
3
z y x + +
>
z
1
y
1
x
1
3
+ +
(x + y + z) |
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
z
1
y
1
x
1
> 9
Example # 28 : If a
i
> 0 i e N such that
[
=
=
n
1 i
i
1 a , then prove that (1 + a
1
) (1 + a
2
) (1 + a
3
) ........(1 + a
n
) > 2
n
Solution : Using A.M. > G.M.
1 + a
1
>
1
a 2
1 + a
2
>
2
a 2

1 + a
n
>
n
a 2
(1 + a
1
) (1 + a
2
) .........(1 + a
n
) > ( )
2 / 1
n 3 2 1
n
a ...... a a a 2
As a
1
a
2
a
3
..... a
n
= 1
Hence (1 + a
1
) (1 + a
2
) .......... (1 + a
n
) > 2
n
.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 12
Example # 29 : If n > 0, prove that 2
n
> 1 + n
1 n
2

Solution : Using the relation A.M. > G.M. on the numbers 1, 2, 2
2
, 2
3
,..........., 2
n1
, we have
n
2 ....... 2 2 1
1 n 2
+ + + +
> (1.2. 2
2
. 2
3
. ......... .2
n1
)
1/n
Equality does not hold as all the numbers are not equal.

1 2
1 2
n

> n
n
1
2
n ) 1 n (
2
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
n
1 > n.
2
) 1 n (
2

2
n
> 1 + n.
2
) 1 n (
2

Example # 30 : Find the greatest value of xyz for positive value of x, y, z subject to the condition xy + yz + zx = 12.
Solution : Using the relation A.M. > G.M.
3
zx yz xy + +
> (x
2
y
2
z
2
)
1/3
4 > (x y z)
2/3
xyz s 8
Example # 31 : If a, b, c are in H.P. and they are distinct and positive, then prove that a
n
+ c
n
> 2b
n
Solution : Let a
n
and c
n
be two numbers
then
2
c a
n n
+
> (a
n
c
n
)
1/2
a
n
+ c
n
> 2 (ac)
n/2
...........(i)
Also G.M. > H.M.
i.e.
ac
> b, (ac)
n/2
> b
n
...........(ii)
hence from (i) and (ii), we get a
n
+ c
n
> 2b
n
Self practice problems :
(17) If a, b, c are real and distinct, then show that a
2
(1 + b
2
) + b
2
(1 + c
2
) + c
2
(1 + a
2
) > 6abc
(18) Prove that n
n
> 1 . 3 . 5 .........(2n 1), n e N
(19) If a, b, c, d be four distinct positive quantities in G.P., then show that
(i) a + d > b + c
(ii)
ab
1
+
cd
1
> 2
|
.
|

\
|
+
ad
1
ac
1
bd
1
(20) Prove that AABC is an equilateral triangle iff tan A+ tan B + tan C = 3 3
(21) If a, b, c > 0, prove that [(1 + a) (1 + b) (1 + c)]
7
> 7
7
a
4
b
4
c
4
Arithmetico-geometric series :
A series, each term of which is formed by multiplying the corresponding terms of an A.P. & G.P. is
called the Arithmetico-Geometric Series. e.g. 1 + 3x + 5x
2
+ 7x
3
+.....
Here 1, 3, 5,.... are in A.P. & 1, x, x
2
, x
3.
.... are in G.P..
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 13
Sum of n terms of an arithmetico-geometric series:
Let S
n
= a + (a + d) r + (a + 2 d) r +..... + [a + (n 1)d] r
n1
, then
S
n
=
( )
( )
| | a
r
d r r
r
a n d r
r
n
n
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

( )
, r = 1.
Sum to infinity: If |r| < 1 & n , then
Limit
n
r
n
= 0 and
Limit
n
n.r
n
= 0
S

=
( )
a
r
d r
r
1
1
2

.
Example # 32 : Find the sum of the series 1 +
5
4
+
2
5
7
+
3
5
10
+ ...... to n terms.
Solution : Let S = 1 +
5
4
+
2
5
7
+
3
5
10
+ ...... +
1 n
5
2 n 3

..........(i)
|
.
|

\
|
5
1
S =
5
1
+
2
5
4
+
3
5
7
+ ....... +
1 n
5
5 n 3

+
n
5
2 n 3
..........(ii)
(i) (ii)
5
4
S = 1 +
5
3
+
2
5
3
+
3
5
3
+ ....... +
1 n
5
3

n
5
2 n 3
.
5
4
S = 1 +
5
1
1
5
1
1
5
3
1 n

|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|

n
5
2 n 3
= 1 +
4
3

4
3

1 n
5
1

n
5
2 n 3
=
4
7

n
5 . 4
7 n 12 +
S =
16
35
1 n
5 . 16
) 7 n 12 (

+
.
Example # 33 : Evaluate 1 + 2x + 3x
2
+ 4x
3
+ ......... upto infinity, where | x | < 1.
Solution : Let S = 1 + 2x + 3x
2
+ 4x
3
+ ..... ........(i)
xS= x + 2x
2
+ 3x
3
+ ......... ........(ii)
(i) - (ii) (1 x) S = 1 + x + x
2
+ x
3
+ ..........
or S =
2
) x 1 (
1

Example # 34 : Evaluate : 1 + (1 + b) r + (1 + b + b
2
) r
2
+ ......... to infinite terms for | br | < 1.
Solution : Let S = 1 + (1 + b)r + (1 + b + b
2
) r
2
+..... ..........(i)
rS = r + (1 + b) r
2
+ ......... ..........(ii)
(i) - (ii)
(1 r)S = 1 + br + b
2
r
2
+ b
3
r
3
+ ......
S =
) r 1 )( br 1 (
1

Self practice problems :
(22) Evaluate : 1.2 + 2.2
2
+ 3.2
3
+ ...... + 100. 2
100
(23) Evaluate : 1 + 3x + 6x
2
+ 10x
3
+ ...... upto infinite term, where | x | < 1.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 14
(24) Sum to n terms of the series : 1 + 2
|
.
|

\
|
+
n
1
1
+ 3
2
n
1
1 |
.
|

\
|
+
+ ......
Answers : (22) 99.2
101
+ 2. (23)
3
) x 1 (
1

(24) n
2
Resul ts :
(i)
r
n
=

1
(a
r
b
r
) =
r
n
=

1
a
r

r
n
=

1
b
r
. (ii)
r
n
=

1
k a
r
= k
r
n
=

1
a
r
.
(iii)
r
n
=

1
k = k + k + k +...............n times = nk; where k is a constant.
(iv)
r
n
=

1
r = 1 + 2 + 3 +...........+ n =
n n ( ) +1
2
(v)
r
n
=

1
r = 1
2
+ 2
2
+ 3
2
+...........+ n
2
=
n n n ( ) ( ) + + 1 2 1
6
(vi)
r
n
=

1
r
3
= 1
3
+ 2
3
+ 3
3
+...........+ n
3
=
n n
2 2
1
4
( ) +
Example # 35 : Find the sum of the series to n terms whose general term is 2n + 1.
Solution : S
n
= ET
n
= (2n + 1)
= 2En + E1
=
2
n ) 1 n ( 2 +
+ n = n
2
+ 2n
Example # 36 : T
k
= k
2
+ 2
k
, then find

=
n
1 k
k
T
.
Solution :

=
n
1 k
k
T
=

=
n
1 k
2
k
+

=
n
1 k
k
2
=
6
) 1 n 2 ( ) 1 n ( n + +
+
1 2
) 1 2 ( 2
n

=
6
) 1 n 2 ( ) 1 n ( n + +
+ 2
n + 1
2.
Example # 37 : Find the value of the expression
= = =
n
1 i
i
1 j
j
1 k
1
Solution :

= = =
n
1 i
i
1 j
j
1 k
1 =
= =
n
1 i
i
1 j
j
=

=
+
n
1 i
2
) 1 i ( i
=
2
1
(
(

+

= =
n
1 i
n
1 i
2
i i
=
2
1
(

+
+
+ +
2
) 1 n ( n
6
) 1 n 2 ( ) 1 n ( n
=
12
) 1 n ( n +
[2n + 1 + 3] =
6
) 2 n ( ) 1 n ( n + +
.
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 15
Method of difference for finding n
th
term :
Let u
1
, u
2
, u
3
........ be a sequence, such that u
2
u
1
, u
3
u
2
, ......... is either an A.P. or a G.P. then nth term
u
n
of this sequence is obtained as follows
S = u
1
+ u
2
+ u
3
+ ........... + u
n
................(i)
S = u
1
+ u
2
+ ........... + u
n1
+ u
n
................(ii)
(i) (ii) u
n
= u
1
+ (u
2
u
1
) + (u
3
u
2
) + ........... + (u
n
u
n1
)
Where the series (u
2
u
1
) + (u
3
u
2
) + .......... + (u
n
u
n1
) is
either in A.P. or in G.P. then we can find u
n
.
So sum of series S =
=
n
1 r
r
u
Note : The above method can be generalised as follows :
Let u
1
, u
2
, u
3
, ......... be a given sequence.
The first differences are A
1
u
1
, A
1
u
2
, A
1
u
3
, ........ where A
1
u
1
= u
2
u
1
, A
1
u
2
= u
3
u
2
etc.
The second differences are A
2
u
1
, A
2
u
2
, A
2
u
3
, ......., where A
2
u
1
= A
1
u
2
A
1
u
1
, A
2
u
2
= A
1
u
3
A
1
u
2
etc.
This process is continued untill the k
th
differences A
k
u
1
, A
k
u
2
, ........ are obtained, where the k
th
differences
are all equal or they form a GP with common ratio different from 1.
Case - 1 : The k
th
differences are all equal.
In this case the n
th
term, u
n
is given by
u
n
= a
0
n
k
+ a
1
n
k1
+ .....+ a
k
, where a
0
, a
1
, ...., a
k
are calculated by using first 'k + 1' terms of the sequence.
Case - 2 : The k
th
differences are in GP with common ratio r (r = 1)
The n
th
term is given by u
n
= r
n 1
+ a
0
n
k1
+ a
1
n
k2
+ ..... + a
k1
Example # 38 : Find the sum to n-terms 3 + 7 + 13 + 21 + .........
Solution : Let S = 3 + 7 + 13 + 21 + ......... + T
n
...........(i)
S = 3 + 7 + 13 + ............ + T
n1
+ T
n
...........(ii)
(i) (ii) T
n
= 3 + 4 + 6 + 8 + .......... + (T
n
T
n1
)
= 3 +
2
1 n
[8 + (n 2)2]
= 3 + (n 1) (n + 2)
= n
2
+ n + 1
Hence S = (n
2
+ n + 1)
= n
2
+ n + 1
=
6
) 1 n 2 )( 1 n ( n + +
+
2
) 1 n ( n +
+ n =
3
n
(n
2
+ 3n + 5)
Example # 39 : Find the sum to n-terms 1 + 4 + 10 + 22 + ........
Solution : Let S = 1 + 4 + 10 + 22 + .........+ T
n
........(i)
S = 1 + 4 + 10 + ......... + T
n1
+ T
n
........(ii)
(i) (ii) T
n
= 1 + (3 + 6 + 12 + ......... + T
n
T
n1
)
T
n
= 1 + 3
|
|
.
|

\
|

1 2
1 2
1 n
T
n
= 3 . 2
n1
2
So S = T
n
= 3 2
n1
2
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 16
= 3 .
|
|
.
|

\
|

1 2
1 2
n
2n = 3.2
n
2n 3
Method of difference for finding s
n
:
If possible express r
th
term as difference of two terms as t
r
= (f(r) f(r 1)). This can be explained with the
help of examples given below.
t
1
= f(1) f(0),
t
2
= f(2) f(1),

t
n
= f(n) f(n-1)
S
n
= f(n) f(0)
Example # 40 : Find the sum of n-terms of the series 1.2 + 2.3 + 3.4 + ............
Solution : Let T
r
be the general term of the series
So T
r
= r(r + 1).
To express t
r
= f(r) f(r1) multiply and divide t
r
by [(r + 2) (r 1)]
so T
r
=
3
r
(r + 1) [(r + 2) (r 1)]
=
3
1
[r (r + 1) (r + 2) (r 1) r (r + 1)].
Let f(r) =
3
1
r (r + 1) (r + 2)
so T
r
= [f(r) f(r 1)].
Now S =
=
n
1 r
r
T
= T
1
+ T
2
+ T
3
+ .........+ T
n
T
1
=
3
1
[1 . 2 . 3 0]
T
2
=
3
1
[2 . 3 . 4 1 . 2 . 3]
T
3
=
3
1
[3 . 4 . 5 2 . 3 . 4]

T
n
=
3
1
[n(n+1) (n + 2) (n 1)n (n + 1)]
S =
3
1
n (n + 1) (n + 2)
Hence sum of series is f(n) f(0).
Example # 41 : Sum to n terms of the series
) x 2 1 )( x 1 (
1
+ +
+
) x 3 1 )( x 2 1 (
1
+ +
+
) x 4 1 )( x 3 1 (
1
+ +
+ .........
Solution : Let T
r
be the general term of the series
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 17
T
r
=
) x ) 1 r ( 1 )( rx 1 (
1
+ + +
So T
r
=
x
1
(

+ + +
+ + +
) x ) 1 r ( 1 )( rx 1 (
) rx 1 ( ) x ) 1 r ( 1 (
=
x
1
(

+ +

+ x ) 1 r ( 1
1
rx 1
1
T
r
= f(r) f(r + 1)
S = T
r
= T
1
+ T
2
+ T
3
+ .......... + T
n
=
x
1
(

+ +

+ x ) 1 n ( 1
1
x 1
1
=
] x ) 1 n ( 1 )[ x 1 (
n
+ + +
Example # 42 : Sum to n terms of the series
3 . 2 . 1
4
+
4 . 3 . 2
5
+
5 . 4 . 3
6
+ .........
Solution : Let T
r
=
) 2 r )( 1 r ( r
3 r
+ +
+
=
) 2 r )( 1 r (
1
+ +
+
) 2 r )( 1 r ( r
3
+ +
= (

+ 2 r
1
1 r
1
+
2
3
(

+ +

+ ) 2 r )( 1 r (
1
) 1 r ( r
1
S = (

2 n
1
2
1
+
2
3
(

+ +

) 2 n )( 1 n (
1
2
1
=
4
5

2 n
1
+
(

+
+
) 1 n ( 2
3
1
=
4
5

) 2 n )( 1 n ( 2
1
+ +
[2n + 5]
Example # 43 : Find the nth term and the sum of n term of the series 2 + 12 + 36 + 80 + 150 + 252 + ..........
Solution : Let S = 2 + 12 + 36 + 80 + 150 + 252 + ................+T
n
...........(i)
S = 2 + 12 + 36 + 80 + 150 + 252 + .........+T
n1
+ T
n
...........(ii)
(i) (ii) T
n
= 2 + 10 + 24 + 44 + 70 + 102 + ............... + (T
n
T
n1
) ...........(iii)
T
n
= 2 + 10 + 24 + 44 + 70 + 102 + ....... + (T
n1
T
n2
) + (T
n
T
n1
) ...........(iv)
(iii) (iv) T
n
T
n1
= 2 + 8 + 14 + 20 + 26 + .........
=
2
n
[4 + (n 1) 6] = n [3n 1] T
n
T
n1
= 3n
2
n
general term of given series is (T
n
T
n1
) = (3n
2
n) = n
3
+ n
2
.
Hence sum of this series is
S = n
3
+ n
2
=
4
) 1 n ( n
2 2
+
+
6
) 1 n 2 )( 1 n ( n + +
=
12
) 1 n ( n +
(3n
2
+ 7n + 2)
=
12
1
n (n + 1) (n + 2) (3n + 1)
Sequence & Series : PAJ Sir
RESONANCE 18
Example # 44 : Find the general term and sum of n terms of the series 9 + 16 + 29 + 54 + 103 + .........
Solution : Let S = 9 + 16 + 29 + 54 + 103 + ................. + T
n
...........(i)
S = 9 + 16 + 29 + 54 + 103 + ......... + T
n1
+T
n
...........(ii)
(i) (ii) T
n
= 9 + 7 + 13 + 25 + 49 + ................. + (T
n
T
n1
) ...........(iii)
T
n
= 9 + 7 + 13 + 25 + 49 + ........... + (T
n1
T
n2
) + (T
n
T
n1
) ...........(iv)
(iii) (iv) T
n
T
n1
= 9 + (2) +

terms ) 2 n (
........ 24 12 6

+ + + = 7 + 6 [2
n2
1] = 6(2)
n2
+ 1.
General term is T
n
= 6(2)
n1
+ n + 2
Also sum S = T
n
= 62
n1
+ n + 2
= 6 .
1 2
) 1 2 (
n

+
2
) 1 n ( n +
+ 2n
= 6(2
n
1) +
2
) 5 n ( n +
Self practice problems :
(25) Sum to n terms the following series
(i)
3
1
1
+
3 3
2 1
2 1
+
+
+
3 3 3
3 2 1
3 2 1
+ +
+ +
+ .........
(ii)
5 . 3 . 1
1
+
7 . 5 . 3
1
+
9 . 7 . 5
1
+ .........
(iii) 1 . 5 . 9 + 2 . 6 . 10 + 3 . 7. 11 + .........
(iv) 4 + 14 + 30 + 52 + 80 + 114 + ..........
(v) 2 + 5 + 12 + 31 + 86 + ...............
Answers : (25) (i)
1 n
n 2
+
(ii)
4
1
(

+ +

) 3 n 2 )( 1 n 2 (
1
3
1
(iii)
4
n
(n + 1) (n + 8) (n + 9)
(iv) n(n + 1)
2
(v)
2
1 n n 3
2 n
+ +