Notes :
Arithmetic Progression
Topics to Be Covered
1 Sequence
2
Arithmetic Progression
2.1. Introduction and Formulae
2.2. Assumption of Terms
2.3. Arithmetic Means
2.4. Properties of A.P.
1. Sequence
A group of numbers, which are arranged in a definite
order following a certain rule is called a sequence.
For example: 2, 4, 6, 8, …
The numbers used in a sequence are called its terms.
2. Arithmetic Progression
2.1. Introduction and Formulae
An arithmetic progression is a sequence of numbers
such that the difference between the consecutive terms
is a constant.
First term (𝒂) Last term (𝒍)
2 5 8 11 14
+3 +3 +3 +3
Common difference (𝒅)
2. Arithmetic Progression
𝑎 = first term, 𝑑 = common difference, 𝑙 = last term
𝒏𝒕𝒉 term of 𝑛𝑡ℎ term from beginning: 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂 + 𝒏 − 𝟏 𝒅
an A.P. 𝑛𝑡ℎ term from end: 𝒂′𝒏 = 𝒍 − 𝒏 − 𝟏 𝒅
𝒏
If last term is known: 𝟐 (𝒂 + 𝒍) Sum of 𝒏
terms of
𝒏
If number of terms is known: 𝟐 𝟐𝒂 + 𝒏 − 𝟏 𝒅 an A.P.
2.2. Assumption of Terms
Number
Assumptions to be Common
of terms
made difference
in A.P.
𝟑 𝒂 − 𝒅, 𝒂, 𝒂 + 𝒅 𝒅
𝒂 − 𝟑𝒅, 𝒂 − 𝒅, 𝒂 + 𝒅,
𝟒 𝟐𝒅
𝒂 + 𝟑𝒅
𝒂 − 𝟐𝒅, 𝒂 − 𝒅, 𝒂, 𝒂 + 𝒅,
𝟓 𝒅
𝒂 + 𝟐𝒅
2. Arithmetic Progression
2.3. Arithmetic Means
If 𝑛 arithmetic means (A.M.s) namely 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … , 𝐴𝑛 are
inserted between 𝑎 and 𝑏 then 𝑎, 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , 𝐴3 , … 𝐴𝑛 , 𝑏 are in A.P.
Then there are in total 𝑛 + 2 terms in A.P.
How to find Arithmetic Means?
Find common difference 𝑑 using
Step 1:
𝒃=𝒂+ 𝒏+𝟏 𝒅
Find arithmetic means using
Step 2:
𝑨𝒊 = 𝒂 + 𝒊𝒅, 1 ≤ 𝑖 ≤ 𝑛
2.4. Properties of A.P.
If the same fixed non-zero number is
added or subtracted from each term
Property 1:
of an A.P., the resulting sequence is
also an A.P.
If each term of a given A.P. is
Property 2: multiplied or divided by a given non-
zero fixed number, the resulting
sequence is an A.P.
Mind Map
Sequence
Arithmetic
Progression
Assumption of Properties of
Terms A.P.
Arithmetic
Formulae
Means
𝒏𝒕𝒉 term Sum of 𝒏 terms
𝑛
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 (𝑎 + 𝑙)
2
𝑛
𝑎𝑛′ = 𝑙 − 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
2
