SEQUENCES AND SERIES

KEY CONCEPTS

DEFINITION :
A sequence is a set of terms in a definite order with a rule for obtaining the terms. e.g.
1,1/2,1/3, … … ,1/𝑛 is a sequence.

AN ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION (AP) :

AP is a sequence whose terms increase or decrease by a fixed number. This fixed number
is called the common difference. If a is the first term & d the common difference, then AP
can be written as 𝑎, 𝑎 + 𝑑, 𝑎 + 2𝑑, … … . 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑, … … 𝑛th term of this AP 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 +
(𝑛 − 1)𝑑, where 𝑑 = 𝑎𝑛 − 𝑎𝑛−1.

n n
The sum of the first n terms of the AP is given by; Sn = 2 [2a + (n − 1)d] = 2 [𝑎 + 𝑙].
where 𝑙 is the last term.

NOTES:
(i) 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.

(ii) Three numbers in AP can be taken as a-d, 𝑎, 𝑎 + 𝑑; four numbers in AP can be taken
as 𝑎 − 3𝑑, 𝑎 − 𝑑, 𝑎 + 𝑑, 𝑎 + 3𝑑; five numbers in AP are 𝑎 − 2𝑑, 𝑎 − 𝑑, 𝑎, 𝑎 + 𝑑, 𝑎 + 2𝑑& six
terms in AP are 𝑎 − 5𝑑, 𝑎 − 3𝑑, 𝑎 − 𝑑, 𝑎 + 𝑑, 𝑎 + 3𝑑, 𝑎 + 5𝑑 etc.

(iii) The common difference can be zero, positive or negative.

(iv) The sum of the two terms of an AP equidistant from the beginning & end is constant
and equal to the sum of first & last terms.

(v) Any term of an AP (except the first) is equal to half the sum of terms which are
equidistant from it.

(vi) t r = Sr − Sr−1

(vii) If a, b, c are in AP ⇒ 2 b = a + c.

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION (GP) :

GP is a sequence of numbers whose first term is non zero & each of the succeeding terms
is equal to the proceeding terms multiplied by a constant. Thus in a GP 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 proceeds it.

Therefore a, ar, ar 2 , ar 3 , ar 4 , … … is a GP with a as the first term & r as common ratio.

(i) nth term = ar n−1

a(rn −1)
(ii) Sum of the 1st n terms i.e. Sn = r−1
, if r ≠ 1.

(iii) Sum of an infinite GP when |r| < 1 when n → ∞r n → 0 if |r| < 1 therefore,
𝑎
𝑆∞ = (|𝑟| < 1)
1−𝑟
(iv) If each term of a GP be multiplied or divided by the same non-zero quantity, the
resulting sequence is also a GP.

(v) Any 3 consecutive terms of a GP can be taken as a/r, a, ar ; any 4 consecutive terms of
a GP can be taken as a/r 3 , a/r, ar, ar 3 & so on.

(vi) If a, b, c are in GP ⇒ 𝑏 2 = ac.

HARMONIC PROGRESSION (HP) :

A sequence is said to HP if the reciprocals of its terms are in AP.

If the sequence 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is an HP then 1/𝑎1 , 1/𝑎2 , … . 𝑎𝑛 is an AP & converse. Here

we do not have the formula for the sum of the n terms of an HP. For HP whose first term
ab
is a & second term is 𝑏, the nth term is t n = b+(n−1)(a−b).

2𝑎𝑐 𝑎 𝑎−𝑏
If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in 𝐻𝑃 ⇒ 𝑏 = 𝑎+𝑐 or 𝑐 = 𝑏−𝑐
.

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

MEANS

ARITHMETIC MEAN :
If three terms are in AP then the middle term is called the AM between the other two, so
if a, b, c are in AP, b is AM of a & c.

𝑎1 +𝑎2 +𝑎3 +⋯+𝑎𝑛

AM for any 𝑛 positive number 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is ; 𝐴 = 𝑛
.

n-ARITHMETIC MEANS BETWEEN TWO NUMBERS :

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are any two given numbers &𝑎, 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … , 𝐴𝑛 , 𝑏 are in AP then 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … 𝐴𝑛 are the 𝑛
AM's between a & b

𝑏−𝑎 2(𝑏 − 𝑎) 𝑛(𝑏 − 𝑎)

𝐴1 = 𝑎 + , 𝐴2 = 𝑎 + , … … , 𝐴𝑛 = 𝑎 +
𝑛+1 𝑛+1 𝑛+1
𝑏−𝑎
= 𝑎 + 𝑑, = 𝑎 + 2𝑑, … … , 𝐴𝑛 = 𝑎 + nd, where 𝑑 = 𝑛+1

NOTES:
Sum of n AM's inserted between a& b is equal to n times the single AM between a& b i.e.
∑𝑛𝑟=1 𝐴𝑟 = 𝑛𝐴 where 𝐴 is the single 𝐴𝑀 between 𝑎 & 𝑏.

GEOMETRIC MEANS :
If a, b, c are in GP, b is the GM between a&c.

b2 = ac, therefore b = √ac; a > 0, c > 0.

n-GEOMETRIC MEANS BETWEEN a, 𝒃 :

If 𝑎, 𝑏 are two given numbers &𝑎, 𝐺1 , 𝐺2 , … . , 𝐺𝑛 , 𝑏 are in 𝐺𝑃. Then 𝐺1 , 𝐺2 , 𝐺3 , … , 𝐺𝑛 are 𝑛
GMs between a & b.

G1 = a(b/a)1/n+1 , G2 = a(b/a)2/𝑛+1 , … … , Gn = a(b/a)n/n+1

= ar, = ar 2 , = ar n , where r = (b/a)1/n+1

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

NOTES:

The product of n GMs between a& b is equal to the nth power of the single GM between
a& b i.e. ∏nr=1 Gr = (G)n where G is the single GM between a& b.

HARMONIC MEAN :
If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in HP, 𝑏 is the HM between 𝑎&𝑐, then 𝑏 = 2𝑎𝑐/[𝑎 + 𝑐].

THEOREM :
If 𝐴, 𝐺, 𝐻 are respectively 𝐴𝑀, 𝐺𝑀, 𝐻𝑀 between 𝑎&𝑏 both being unequal & positive then,
(i) G2 = AH
(ii) 𝐴 > 𝐺 > 𝐻(𝐺 > 0). Note that 𝐴, 𝐺, 𝐻 constitute a GP.

ARITHMETICO-GEOMETRIC SERIES :
A series each term of which is formed by multiplying the corresponding term of an AP &
GP is called the Arithmetico-Geometric Series. e.g. 1 + 3𝑥 + 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 3 + ⋯ …
Here 1,3,5, … are in AP & 1, 𝑥, 𝑥 2 , 𝑥 3 … are in GP.

Standard appearance of an Arithmetico-Geometric Series is

Let Sn = a + (a + d)r + (a + 2 d)r 2 + ⋯ … + [a + (n − 1)d]r n−1

SIGMA NOTATIONS

THEOREMS :
(i) ∑nr=1 (ar ± br ) = ∑nr=1 ar ± ∑nr=1 br .
(ii) ∑nr=1 kar = k∑nr=1 ar
(iii) ∑nr=1 k = nk; where k is a constant.

RESULTS
n(n+1)
(i) ∑nr=1 r = 2
(sum of the first n natural nos.)
n 2 n(n+1)(2n+1)
(ii) ∑r=1 r = 6
(sum of the squares of the first n natural numbers)
2
n (n+1) 2
(iii) ∑nr=1 r 3 = 4
[∑nr=1 ]2 (sum of the cubes of the first n natural numbers)

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

METHOD OF DIFFERENCE :
If 𝑇1 , 𝑇2 , 𝑇3 , … … , 𝑇𝑛 are the terms of a sequence then some times the terms 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 , 𝑇3 −
𝑇2 , … …. constitute an AP/GP. nth term of the series is determined & the sum to n terms
of the sequence can easily be obtained.

Remember that to find the sum of 𝑛 terms of a series each term of which is composed of
𝑟 factors in AP, the first factors of several terms being in the same AP, we "write down
the nth term, affix the next factor at the end, divide by the number of factors thus
increased and by the common difference and add a constant.

Determine the value of the constant by applying the initial conditions".

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

PROFICIENCY TEST-01
1. A sequence is given by the formula of its 𝑛th term : 𝑎𝑛 = 10 − 3𝑛. prove that 𝑎𝑛 is
an arithmetic progression.

2. Let 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2 + 1 and 𝑏𝑛 is defined 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛+1 − 𝑎𝑛 . Show that {𝑏𝑛 } is an arithmetic

sequence.

3. Prove that if the numbers log 𝑘 𝑥, log 𝑚 𝑥 and log 𝑛 𝑥(𝑥 ≠ 1) form an arithmetic
progression then n2 = (kn)logk m .

4. The sum of three numbers in A.P. is 27 and the sum of their squares is 293 . Find
the numbers.

5. Find four numbers in A.P. such that their sum is 50 and the greatest of them is 4
times the least.

6. How many terms are identical in the two arithmetic progressions 2,4,6,8, … … up
to 100 terms and 3,6,9, …... up to 80 terms.

7. The interior angles of a polygon are in AP. The smallest angle is 120∘ & the
common difference is 5∘ . Find the number of sides of the polygon.

8. Suppose 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … …. are in A.P. and 𝑆𝑘 denotes the sum of the first 𝑘 terms of this
A.P. If 𝑆𝑛 /𝑆𝑚 = n4 /m4 for all m, n, ∈ N, then prove that
𝑎𝑚+1 (2𝑚 + 1)3
=
𝑎𝑛+1 (2𝑛 + 1)3

9. In an A.P. of 99 terms, the sum of all the odd numbered terms is 2550 . Then find
the sum of all the 99 terms of the A.P.

10. Find the degree of the expression (1 + 𝑥)(1 + 𝑥 6 )(1 + 𝑥 11 ) (1 + x101 )

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

PROFICIENCY TEST-02
1. Find the sum of all three-digit natural numbers, which are divisible by 7 .

2. Find the sum of first 24 terms of the A.P. 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … …..., if it is known that 𝑎1 +
𝑎5 + 𝑎10 + 𝑎15 + 𝑎20 + 𝑎24 = 225.

3. If the arithmetic progression whose common difference is non-zero, the sum of

first 3 n terms is equal to the sum of next 𝑛 terms. Then, find the ratio of the sum
of the first 2 n terms to the sum of next 2 n terms.

4. Insert three arithmetic means between 3 and 19 .

5. If eleven A.M.'s are inserted between 28 and 10 , then find the number of integral
A.M.'s.

6. Prove that the average of the numbers 𝑛sin ∘ , 𝑛 = 2,4,6, … … ,180, is cot 1∘ .

7. The ratio of the sums of 𝑚 and 𝑛 terms of an A.P. is 𝑚2 : 𝑛2. Show that the ratio of
the 𝑚th and nth terms is (2𝑚 − 1): (2𝑛 − 1)

8. The sum of 𝑛 terms of two arithmetic series are in the ratio of (7𝑛 + 1): (4𝑛 + 27).
Find the ratio of their nth term.

n(n−1)
9. Show that ln (4 × 12 × 36 × 108 × up to n terms ) = 2nln 2 + 2
ln 3

3n+1
10. If the sum of 𝑛 terms of a G.P. is 3 − 4 2n
, then find the common ratio.

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

PROFICIENCY TEST-03
1. Fifth term of a G.P. is 2 . Find the product of its first nine terms.

2. Three numbers are in G.P. If we double the middle term, we get an A.P. Then find
the common ratio of the G.P.

3. Determine the number of terms in a G.P., if 𝑎1 = 3, 𝑎𝑛 = 96 and 𝑆𝑛 = 189.

4. Prove that 61/2 × 61/4 × 61/8 … . . ∞ = 6.

5. Find ∑6𝑖=1 2.3𝑖

6. Find the sum of 𝑛 terms of the series 2 + 22 + 222 + ⋯ … …

7. If 𝑥 = 1 + 𝑎 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + ⋯ … ∞ and 𝑦 = 1 + 𝑏 + 𝑏 2 + 𝑏 3 + ⋯ … ∞, show that 1 +

𝑥𝑦
𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎2 𝑏 2 + 𝑎3 𝑏 3 + ⋯ … ∞ = 𝑥+𝑦−1, where 0 < 𝑎 < 1 and 0 < 𝑏 < 1

1 1 1
8. If G be the geometric mean of x and y , then prove that (G2 + (G2 2 ) = .
−x2 ) −y G2

9. Find two numbers whose arithmetic mean is 34 and the geometric mean is 16 .

10. If a is the A.M. of 𝑏&𝑐, and the two geometric means between 𝑏&𝑐 are 𝐺1 and 𝐺2 ,
then prove that G1 3 + G2 3 = 2abc.

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

PROFICIENCY TEST-04
1
( (𝑛−1) )
1. Let 𝑃 = ∏∞
n=1 (10 2 ) then find log 0.01 (P).

2. The A.M. between two positive numbers exceeds the G.M. by 5 , and the G.M.
exceeds the H.M. by 4 . Find the numbers

1 1 44
3. If the sum to infinity of the series 3 + (3 + 𝑑) 4 + (3 + 2𝑑) 42 + ⋯ … ∞ is 9
, then
find d.

4. Find the sum to 𝑛 terms of the series 1 + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2 + 3) + ⋯ ….

5. Evaluate 1 + 5 + 12 + 22 + 35 + (upto ' n ' terms)

6. Find the sum of 𝑛-terms 1 + 4 + 10 + 22 + ⋯ …..

7. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 are four positive real numbers such that 𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑑 = 1, prove that (1 +
𝑎)(1 + 𝑏)(1 + 𝑐)(1 + 𝑑) ≥ 16

8. If 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 be positive numbers, show that (𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧)3 ≥ 27𝑥𝑦𝑧.

9. If 𝐻 is the harmonic mean between 𝑃 and 𝑄, then find the value of 𝐻/𝑃 + 𝐻/𝑄.

𝑎 −2 −𝑑 −2
10. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑 are in H.P., then find the value of 𝑏−2 −𝑐 −2

1 1 1
11. Find sum of the following series to 𝑛 terms and to infinity : + + +
1.4⋅7 4.7⋅10 7.10.13
⋯ ….

12. Find sum of the following series to 𝑛 terms: ∑𝑛𝑟=1 𝑟(𝑟 + 1)(𝑟 + 2)(𝑟 + 3)

1
13. Find sum of the following series to 𝑛 terms and to infinity : ∑𝑛𝑟=1 4r2 −1

14. If the 10th term of an HP is 21 and 21st term of the same HP is 10 , then find the
210th term.

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

15. Given that 𝑎x = b y = c z = du &a, b, c, d are in GP, show that x, y, z, u are in HP.

EXERCISE-I
1. In an AP of which ' a ' is the Ist term, if the sum of the Ist 𝑝 terms is equal to zero,
aq(p+q)
show that the sum of the next q terms is − ( ).
p−1

2. The first term of an arithmetic progression is 1 and the sum of the first nine terms
equal to 369 .The first and the ninth term of a geometric progression coincide
with the first and the ninth term of the arithmetic progression. Find the seventh
term of the geometric progression.

3. In a set of four numbers, the first three are in GP & the last three are in AP, with
common difference 6 . If the first number is the same as the fourth, find the four
numbers.

4. The 1st , 2nd and 3rd terms of an arithmetic series are a, b and a2 where ' a ' is
negative. The 1st , 2nd and 3rd terms of a geometric series are 𝑎, 𝑎2 and 𝑏 find the
(a) value of a and 𝑏
(b) sum of infinite geometric series if it exists. If no then find the sum to 𝑛 terms
of the G.P.
(c) sum of the 40 term of the arithmetic series.

5. Find three numbers 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐(≥ 2, ≤ 18) such that;

(i) their sum is 25
(ii) the numbers 2 , a, b are consecutive terms of an AP &
(iii) the numbers b, c, 18 are consecutive terms of a GP.

6. If 𝑆1 , 𝑆2 , 𝑆3 , … 𝑆𝑛 , … are the sums of infinite geometric series whose first terms are
1 1 1 1
1,2,3, … 𝑛, … and whose common ratios are 2 , 3 , 4 , … n+1 , … respectively, then find
the value of ∑2n−1 2
r=1 Sr .

7. Find the sum of the first 𝑛 terms of the sequence :

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

1 2 3
8. Find the sum of the 𝑛 terms of the sequence 1+12 +14 + 1+22 +24 + 1+32 +34 +

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

𝑛2
9. Evaluate the sum ∑∞
𝑛=1 6𝑛

1 1 1 1 1 1
10. If the sum √1 + 12 + 22 + √1 + 22 + 32 + √1 + 32 + 42 + ⋯ … +
1 1 1
√1 + (1999)2 + (2000)2 equal to 𝑛 − 𝑛 where 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁. Find 𝑛.

11. The AM of two numbers exceeds their GM by 15&HM by 27 . Find the numbers.

12. An AP & an HP have the same first term, the same last term & the same number
of terms; prove that the product of the 𝑟 th term from the beginning in one series
& the 𝑟 th term from the end in the other is independent of r .

13. The sequence 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … . 𝑎98 satisfies the relation 𝑎𝑛+1 = 𝑎𝑛 + 1 for 𝑛 =

1,2,3, .97 and has the sum equal to 4949 . Evaluate ∑49 k=1 a 2k.

35
14. If the sum to infinity of the series 1 + 4𝑥 + 7𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 3 + ⋯... is then find 𝑥.
16

15. In the equation 𝑥 4 + 𝑝𝑥 3 + 𝑞𝑥 2 + 𝑟𝑥 + 5 = 0 has four positive real roots, then

find the minimum value of pr.

16. Find the nth term and the sum to 𝑛 terms of the sequence: 1 + 5 + 13 + 29 +
61 +

17. Find the n.h term and the sum to 𝑛 terms of the sequence: 6 + 13 + 22 + 33 +.

18. If 𝑎, 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … . , 𝑎2𝑛 , 𝑏 are in A.P. and 𝑎, 𝑔1 , 𝑔2 , 𝑔3 , … . 𝑔2𝑛 , 𝑏 are in G.P. and ℎ is

the H.M. of 𝑎 and b, then prove that
𝑎1 + 𝑎2𝑛 𝑎2 + 𝑎2𝑛−1 𝑎𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛+1 2𝑛
+ + ⋯…+ =
𝑔1 𝑔2𝑛 𝑔2 𝑔2𝑛−1 𝑔𝑛 𝑔𝑛+1 ℎ

19. Let 𝑓(𝑥) denote the sum of the infinite trigonometric series, 𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 𝑥
∑∞
𝑛=1 sin 3𝑛 sin 3𝑛 .

Find 𝑓(𝑥) (independent of 𝑛 ) also evaluate the sum of the solutions of the equation
𝑓(𝑥) = 0 lying in the interval (0,629).

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

20. If the roots of 10𝑥 3 − 𝑐𝑥 2 − 54𝑥 − 27 = 0 are in harmonic progression, then find 𝑐
and all the roots.

EXERCISE-II
1. If sin 𝑥, sin2 2𝑥 and cos 𝑥 ⋅ sin 4𝑥 form an increasing geometric sequence, find
the numerical value of cos 2x. Also find the common ratio of geometric sequence.

2. If the first 3 consecutive terms of a geometrical progression are the real roots of
the equation 2𝑥 3 − 19𝑥 2 + 57𝑥 − 54 = 0 find the sum to infinite number of terms
of G.P.

1.3 3.5 5.7 7.9

3. Find the sum of the infinite series + 2+ 3+ 4+ ⋯ … ….
2 2 2 2

4. One of the roots of the equation 2000𝑥 6 + 100𝑥 5 + 10𝑥 3 + 𝑥 − 2 = 0 is of the

𝑚+√𝑛
form 𝑟 , where m is non zero integer and n and r are relatively prime natural
numbers.
Find the value of 𝑚 + 𝑛 + 𝑟.

5. Find the condition that the roots of the equation 𝑥 3 − 𝑝𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝑥 − 𝑟 = 0 are in A.P. and
hence solve the equation 𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 + 39𝑥 − 28 = 0

6. If a, b, c, d, e be 5 numbers such that 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in AP ; b, c, 𝑑 are in GP & 𝑐, 𝑑, 𝑒 are in

HP then :
(i) Prove that a, c, e are in GP.
(ii) Prove that 𝑒 = (2𝑏 − 𝑎)2 /𝑎.
(iii) If a = 2&e = 18, find all possible values of b, c, d.

7. A computer solved several problems in succession. The time it took the computer to
solve each successive problem was the same number of times smaller than the time it
took to solve the preceding problem. How many problems were suggested to the
computer if it spent 63.5 min to solve all the problems except for the first, 127 min to
solve all the problems except for the last one, and 31.5 min to solve all the problems
except for the first two?

8. If 𝑛 is a root of the equation 𝑥 2 (1 − 𝑎𝑐) − 𝑥(𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 ) − (1 + 𝑎𝑐) = 0& if 𝑛 HM's are

inserted between a and 𝐜, show that the difference between the first & the last mean is
equal to ac (𝑎 − 𝑐).

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

9. Given that the cubic 𝑎𝑥 3 − 𝑎𝑥 2 + 9𝑏𝑥 − 𝑏 = 0(𝑎 ≠ 0) has all three positive roots. Find
the harmonic mean of the roots independent of 𝑎 and 𝑏, hence deduce that the root are
all equal. Find also the minimum value of (𝑎 + 𝑏) if 𝑎 and 𝑏 ∈ 𝑁.

10. Let a sequence whose 𝑛th term is {𝑎𝑛 } be defined as

1
𝑎1 = and (𝑛 − 1)𝑎𝑛−1 = (𝑛 + 1)𝑎𝑛 for 𝑛 ≥ 2
2
find 𝑎𝑛 and also find 𝑆𝑛 and Lim𝑛→∞ 𝑆𝑛 .

11. In a right angled triangle, 𝑆𝑎 and 𝑆𝑏 denote the medians that belong to the legs of the
triangle, the median belonging to the hypotenuse is 𝑆𝑐 . Find the maximum value of the
𝑆 +𝑆
expression 𝑎 𝑏. (You may use the fact that R.M.S. ≥ A.M).
𝑆𝑐

1 1.3 1.3.5
12. Find the sum the series to 𝑛 terms and to infinity : 4 + 4.6 + 4.6.8 + ⋯ … ….

13. (a) The value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 is 15 if 𝑎, 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑏 are in 𝐴𝑃 while the value of ; (1/𝑥) +

(1/𝑦) + (1/𝑧) is 5/3 if 𝑎, 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑏 are in HP. Find 𝑎 & 𝑏.

(b) The values of 𝑥𝑦𝑧 is 15/2 or 18/5 according as the series 𝑎, 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑏 is an AP or HP.
Find the values of a& b assuming them to be positive integer.

14. If there are 𝑛 quantities in GP with common ratio 𝑟&𝑆𝑚 denotes the sum of the first 𝑚
terms, show that the sum of the products of these 𝑚 terms taken two & two together is
r
[r+1] [Sm ][Sm−1 ].

∞ 1
15. Find the value of ∑∞ ∞
𝑖=0 ∑𝑗=0 ∑ 𝑘=0 3𝑖 𝑗 𝑗 3𝑘
(𝑖≠𝑗≠𝑘

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

EXERCISE-III
1. If 1, log 9 (31−x + 2), log 3 (4.3x − 1) are in A.P. then x equals
[AIEEE-2002]
(A) log 3 4
(B) 1 − log 3 4
(C) 1 − log 4 3
(D) log 4 3

2. The value of 21/4 ⋅ 41/8 ⋅ 81/16 … . . ∞ is

[AIEEE- 2002]
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3/2
(D) 4

3. Fifth term of a GP is 2 , then the product of its 9 terms is

[AIEEE- 2002]
(A) 256
(B) 512
(C) 1024
(D) None of these

4. Sum of infinite number of terms of GP is 20 and sum of their squares is 100 . The
common ratio of GP is
[AIEEE- 2002]
(A) 5
(B) 3/5
(C) 8/5
(D) 1/5

5. 13 − 23 + 33 − 43 + ⋯ … + 93 =
[AIEEE- 2002]
(A) 425
(B) -425
(C) 475
(D) -475

6. Let 𝑇𝑟 be the 𝑟 th term of an A.P. whose first term is a and common difference is 𝑑.
1 1
If for some positive integers 𝑚, 𝑛, 𝑚 ≠ 𝑛, 𝑇𝑚 = 𝑛 and 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑚, then a −𝑑 equals-
[AIEEE- 2004]
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 1/mn
1 1
(D) m + n

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

7. The sum of the first 𝑛 terms of the series 12 + 2.22 + 32 + 2.42 + 52 + 2.62 + ⋯. is
n(n+1)2
2
when n is even. When n is odd the sum is-
[AIEEE- 2004]
3n(n+1)
(A) 2
n2 (n+1)
(B) 2
n(n+1)2
(C) 4
n(n+1) 2
(D) [ 2 ]

8. If 𝑥 = ∑∞ 𝑛 ∞ 𝑛 ∞ 𝑛
𝑛=0 𝑎 , 𝑦 = ∑𝑛=0 𝑏 , 𝑧 = ∑𝑛=0 𝑐 where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in A.P. and |𝑎| < 1, |𝑏| <
1, |𝑐| < 1 then 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 are in -
[AIEEE- 2005]
(A) GP
(B) AP
(C) Arithmetic - Geometric Progression
(D) HP

𝑎 +𝑎 +⋯+𝑎 𝑝2 𝑎
9. Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , …. . be terms of an A.P. If 𝑎1 +𝑎2 +⋯+𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞2 , 𝑝 ≠ 𝑞 then 𝑎 6 equals-
1 2 𝑞 21
[AIEEE- 2006]
7
(A) 2
2
(B) 7
11
(C)
41
41
(D)
11

10. If 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … . 𝑎𝑛 are in H.P., then the expression 𝑎1 𝑎2 + 𝑎2 𝑎3 + ⋯ … + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑎𝑛 is

equal to -
[AIEEE-2006]
(A) (𝑛 − 1)(𝑎1 − 𝑎𝑛 )
(B) na1 an
(C) (𝑛 − 1)𝑎1 𝑎𝑛
(D) 𝑛(𝑎1 − 𝑎𝑛 )

11. In a geometric progression consisting of positive terms, each term equals the sum
of the next two terms. Then the common ratio of this progression equals-
[AIEEE-2007]
1
(A) (1 − √5)
2
(B) √5
1
(C) 2 √5
1
(D) 2 (√5 − 1)

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

12. The first two terms of a geometric progression add up to 12 . The sum of the third
and the fourth terms is 48 . If the terms of the geometric progression are
alternately positive and negative, then the first term is
[AIEEE-2008]
(A) -4
(B) -12
(C) 12
(D) 4

2 6 10 14
13. The sum to infinity of the series 1 + 3 + 32 + 33 + 34 + ⋯ ….
[AIEEE 2009]
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 6

14. A person is to count 4500 currency notes. Let 𝑎𝑛 denote the number of notes he
counts in the 𝑛th minute. If a1 = a2 = ⋯ = a10 = 150 and a10 , a11 , … are in an AP
with common difference -2 , then the time taken by him to count all notes is
[AIEEE 2010]
(A) 34 minutes
(B) 125 minutes
(C) 135 minutes
(D) 24 minutes

15. A man saves 200 in each of the first three months of his service. In each of the
subsequent months his saving increases by 40 more than the saving of
immediately previous month. His total saving from the start of service will be
11040 after
[AIEEE 2011]
(A) 19 months
(B) 20 months
(C) 21 months
(D) 18 months

16. Statement-1: The sum of the series

1 + (1 + 2 + 4) + (4 + 6 + 9) + (9 + 12 + 16) + ⋯ … + (361 + 380 + 400) is 8000

Statement-2: ∑nk=1 (k 3 − (k − 1)3 ) = n3 , for any natural number n .

[AIEEE 2012]
(A) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true, Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
Statement-1
(B) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true, Statement-2 is a NOT the correct
explanation for Statement-1
(C) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false
(D) Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

17. The sum of first 20 terms of the sequence 0.7,0.77,0.777, … …, is :

[JEE (Mains )2013]
7
(A) (99 + 10−20 )
9
7
(B) 81 (179 − 10−20 )
7
(C) 9 (99 − 10−20 )
7
(D) 81 (179 + 10−20 )

18. Let 𝛼 and 𝛽 be the roots of equation 𝑝𝑥 2 + 𝑞𝑥 + 𝑟 = 0, 𝑝 ≠ 0. If 𝑝, 𝑞, rare in A.P. and

1 1
𝛼
+ 𝛽 = 4, then the value of |𝛼 − 𝛽| is
[IIT Main 2014]
2√13
(A) 9
√61
(B)
9
2√17
(C)
9
√34
(D)
9

19. Three positive numbers form an increasing G.P. If the middle term in this G.P. is
doubled, the new numbers are in A.P. Then the common ratio of the G.P. is :
[IIT Main 2014]
(A) 2 + √3
(B) √2 + √3
(C) 3 + √2
(D) 2 − √3

20. If (10)9 + 2(11)1 (10)8 + 3(11)2 (10)7 + ⋯ … + 10(11)9 = k(10)9 , then k is equal to
[IIT Main 2014]
(A) 110
121
(B) 10
441
(C)
100
(D) 100

𝟏3 𝟏3 +23 13 +23 +33

21. The sum of first 9 terms of the series 1
+ 1+3
+ 1+3+5
+ ⋯ is :
[JEE Mains-2015]
(A) 192
(B) 71
(C) 96
(D) 142

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

22. If m is the A.M. of two distinct real numbers ℓ and n(ℓ, n > 1) and G1 , G2 between ℓ
and n , then G14 + 2G24 + G34 equals.
(A) 4ℓ2 m2 n2
(B) 4ℓ2 mn
(C) 4ℓm2 n
(D) 4ℓmn2

23. If the 2nd , 5th and 9th terms of a non-constant A.P. are in G.P., then the
8
(A) 5
4
(B) 3
(C) 1
7
(D) 4

24. If the sum of the first ten terms of the series

[JEE Mains-2016]
3 2 2 2 1 2 4 2 16
(1 5) + (2 5) + (3 5) + 42 + (4 5) + ⋯ …. is 5
m, then m is equal to :
(A) 102
(B) 101
(C) 100
(D) 99

25. If, for a positive integer, 𝑛 the quadratic equation,

[JEE Mains-2017]
𝑥(𝑥 + 1) + (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 + 2) + ⋯ … . +(𝑥 + ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑛 − 1)(𝑥 + 𝑛) = 10𝑛
has two consecutive integral solutions, then 𝑛 is equal to :
(A) 10
(B) 11
(C) 12
(D) 9

26. For any three positive real numbers 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐9(25𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 ) + 25(𝑐 2 − 3𝑎𝑐) =
15𝑏(3𝑎 + 𝑐). Then
[JEE Mains-2017]
(A) a, b and c are in A.P.
(B) a, b and c are in G.P.
(C) b, c and a are in G.P.
(D) b, c and a are in A.P.

27 Let 𝐴 be the sum of the first 20 terms and 𝐵 be the sum of the first 40 terms of the
series 12 + 2.22 + 32 + 2.42 + 52 + 2.62 +
If 𝐵 − 2𝐴 = 100𝜆, then 𝜆 is equal to
[JEE Main-2018]

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

(A) 496
(B) 232
(C) 248
(D) 464

28. Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … . 𝑎49 be in A.P. such that ∑12

𝑘=0 𝑎4𝑘+1 = 416 and 𝑎9 + 𝑎43 = 66.

If 𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + ⋯ + 𝑎17

2
= 140𝑚, then 𝑚 is equal to
[JEE Main-2018]
(A) 33
(B) 66
(C) 68
(D) 34

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

EXERCISE-IV

1. (a) The harmonic mean of the roots of the equation (5 + √2)𝑥 2 − (4 + √5)𝑥 + 8 +
2√5 = 0 is
(A) 2
(B) 4
(C) 6
(D) 8

(b) Let a1 , a2 , … , a10 , be in A.P. & h1 , h2 , … . , h10 be in H.P. If a1 = h1 = 2&a10 =

h10 = 3 then a4 h7 is:
[JEE ' 99,2 + 2 out of 200]
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 5
(D) 6

2. The sum of an infinite geometric series is 162 and the sum of its first 𝑛 terms is
160 . If the inverse of its common ratio is an integer, find all possible values of the
common ratio, n and the first terms of the series.
[REE '99, 6]

3. (a) Consider an infinite geometric series with first term ' a ' and common ratio r .
If the sum is 4 and the second term is 3/4, then :
7 3
(A) a = 4 , r = 7
3
(B) a = 2, r = 8
3 1
(C) a = 2 , r = 2
1
(D) a = 3, r =
4

(b) If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, 𝑑 are positive real numbers such that 𝑎 + 𝑏 + 𝑐 + 𝑑 = 2, then 𝑀 = (𝑎 +

𝑏)(𝑐 + 𝑑) satisfies the relation:
[JEE 2000, Screening, 1 + 1 out of 35]
(A) 0 ≤ M ≤ 1
(B) 1 ≤ M ≤ 2
(C) 2 ≤ M ≤ 3
(D) 3 ≤ M ≤ 4

(c) The fourth power of the common difference of an arithmetic progression with integer
entries added to the product of any four consecutive terms of it. Prove that the resulting
sum is the square of an integer.
[JEE 2000, Mains, 4 out of 100]

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

4. Given that 𝛼, 𝛾 are roots of the equation, 𝐴𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0 and 𝛽, 𝛿 the roots of

the equation, 𝐵𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = 0, find values of 𝐴 and 𝐵, such that 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾&𝛿 are in
H.P.
[REE 2000, 5 out of 100]

5. The sum of roots of the equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 is equal to the sum of squares

of their reciprocals. Find whether bc 2 , ca2 and ab2 in A.P., G.P. or H.P.?
[REE 2001, 3 out of 100]

6. Solve the following equations for x and y

[REE 2001, 5 out of 100]
log 2 𝑥 + log 4 𝑥 + log16 𝑥 + ⋯ … = 𝑦
5 + 9 + 13 + ⋯ … … + (4𝑦 + 1)
= 4log 4 𝑥
1 + 3 + 5 + ⋯ ⋯ … … + (2𝑦 − 1)

7. (a) Let 𝛼, 𝛽 be the roots of 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 𝑝 = 0 and 𝛾, 𝛿 be the roots of 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 𝑞 = 0.

If 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾, 𝛿 are in G.P., then the integral values of 𝑝 and 𝑞 respectively, are
(A) −2, −32
(B) −2,3
(C) −6,3
(D) −6, −32

(b) If the sum of the first 2 n terms of the A.P. 2,5,8, is equal to the sum of the
first n terms of the A.P. 57,59,61 then 𝑛 equals
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 11
(D) 13

(c) Let the positive numbers a, b, c, d be in A.P. Then abc, abd, acd, bcd are
(A) NOT in A.P./G.P./H.P.
(B) in A.P.
(C) in G.P.
(D) in H.P.
[JEE 2001, Screening, 1 + 1 + 1 out of 35]

(d) Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 … … be positive real numbers in G.P. For each 𝑛, let 𝐴𝑛 , 𝐺𝑛 , 𝐻𝑛 , be

respectively, the arithmetic mean, geometric mean and harmonic mean of
𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … … . 𝑎𝑛 . Find an expression for the G. M. of 𝐺1 , 𝐺2 , … … … 𝐺𝑛 in terms
of 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 … … … . . . 𝐴𝑛 , 𝐻1 , 𝐻2 , … … … 𝐻𝑛

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

8. (a) Suppose a, b, c are in A.P. and a2 , b2 , c 2 are in G.P. If a < b < c and a + b + c =
3
2
, then the value of a is
1
(A) 2
√2
1
(B) 2 3
√
1 1
(C) 2 − 3
√
1 1
(D) −
2 √2
[JEE 2002 (Screening), 3]

(b) Let a, b be positive real numbers. If a, A1 , A2, b are in A.P.; a, G1 , G2 , b are in

G.P. and a, H1 , H2 , b are in H.P., show that
G1 G2 A1 + A2 (2a + b)(a + 2 b)
= =
H1 H2 H1 + H2 9ab

[JEE 2002, Mains, 5 out of 60]

𝑐
9. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in A.P., 𝑎2 , 𝑏 2 , 𝑐 2 are in H.P. , then prove that either 𝑎 = 𝑏 = 𝑐 or 𝑎, 𝑏, −
2
form a G.P.
[JEE-03, Mains-4 out of 60]
10. The first term of an infinite geometric progression is 𝑥 and its sum is 5 . Then
(A) 0 ≤ x ≤ 10
(B) 0 < 𝑥 < 10
(C) −10 < x < 0
(D) x > 10
[JEE 2004 (Screening)]

11. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are positive real numbers, then prove that [(1 + 𝑎)(1 + 𝑏)(1 + 𝑐)]7 >
77 𝑎 4 𝑏 4 𝑐 4 .
[JEE 2004, 4 out of 60]

12. (a) In the quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0, if Δ = 𝑏 2 − 4ac and 𝛼 + 𝛽, 𝛼 2 +

𝛽 2 , 𝛼 3 + 𝛽 3 are in G.P. where 𝛼, 𝛽 are the roots of ax 2 + bx + c = 0, then
(A) Δ ≠ 0
(B) bΔ = 0
(C) 𝑐Δ = 0
(D) Δ = 0
[JEE 2005 (Screening)]

𝑛+1
(b) If total number of runs scored in 𝑛 matches is ( 4
) (2𝑛+1 − 𝑛 − 2) where 𝑛 > 1, and
th n+1−k
the runs scored in the 𝐤 match are given by k ⋅ 2 , where 1 ≤ k ≤ n. Find n .
[JEE 2005 (Mains), 2]

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

3 3 2 3 3 3 n
13. If An = (4) − (4) + (4) + ⋯ … + (−1)n−1 (4) and Bn = 1 − An , then find the
minimum natural number n0 such that Bn > An ⋅ ∀n > n0 .
[JEE 2006, 6]

Comprehension (3 questions)
14. Let 𝑉𝑟 denote the sum of the first ' 𝐫 ' terms of an arithmetic progression (A.P.)
whose first term is ' 𝑟 ' and the common difference is (2𝑟 − 1).
Let 𝑇𝑟 = 𝑉𝑟+1 − 𝑉𝑟 − 2 and 𝑄𝑟 = 𝑇𝑟+1 − 𝑇𝑟 for 𝑟 = 1,2, …

(a) The sum 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + ⋯ … + 𝑉𝑛 is

1
(A) 12 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(3𝑛2 − 𝑛 + 1)
1
(B) 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(3𝑛2 + 𝑛 + 2)
12
1
(C) 𝑛(2𝑛2 − 𝑛 + 1)
2
1
(D) (2𝑛3 − 2𝑛 + 3)
3

(b) Tr is always
(A) an odd number
(B) an even number
(C) a prime number
(D) a composite number

(c) Which one of the following is a correct statement?

(A) Q1 , Q 2 , Q 3 , … … . ... are in A.P. with common difference 5.
(B) Q1 , Q 2 , Q 3 , … … …...... are in A.P. with common difference 6.
(C) Q1 , Q 2 , Q 3 , … … . …. .are in A.P. with common difference 11.
(D) Q1 = Q 2 = Q 3 = ⋯ …
[𝐽𝐸𝐸2007,4 + 4 + 4]

Comprehension (3 questions)
[𝐽𝐸𝐸2007,4 + 4 + 4]
15. Let 𝐴1 , 𝐺1 , 𝐻1 denote the arithmetic, geometric and harmonic means, respectively, of
two distinct positive numbers. For 𝑛 ≥ 2, let 𝐴𝑛−1 and 𝐻𝑛−1 have arithmetic, geometric
and harmonic means as 𝐴𝑛 , 𝐺𝑛 , 𝐻𝑛 respectively.
(a) Which one of the following statements is correct?
(A) G1 > G2 > G3 >
(B) G1 < G2 < G3 <
(C) G1 = G2 = G3 =
(D) G1 < G3 < G5 <
and G2 > G4 > G6 >

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

(b) Which one of the following statements is correct?

(A) A1 > A2 > A3 > ⋯ ….
(B) A1 < A2 < A3 < ⋯ ….
(C) A1 > A3 > A5 > ⋯.. and A2 < A4 < A6 < ⋯ ….
(D) A1 < A3 < A5 < ⋯. and A2 > A4 > A6 > ⋯ ….

(c) Which one of the following statements is correct?

(A) H1 > H2 > H3 > ⋯ …
(B) H1 < H2 < H3 < ⋯ …
(C) H1 > H3 > H5 > ⋯ … and H2 < H4 < H6 < ⋯ ….
(D) H1 < H3 < H5 < and H2 > H4 > H6 >

16. (a) A straight line through the vertex 𝑃 of a triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅 intersects the side 𝑄𝑅 at the
point 𝑆 and the circumcircle of the triangle 𝑃𝑄𝑅 at the point 𝑇. If 𝑆 is not the centre of
the circumcircle, then
[𝐽𝐸𝐸 2008, 4]
1 1 2
(A) PS + ST <
√QS×𝑆𝑅
1 1 2
(B) + >
PS ST √QS×𝑆𝑅
1 1 4
(C) + <
PS ST QR
1 1 4
(D) PS + ST > QR

ASSERTION & REASON :

(b) 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-1 : The numbers b1 , b2 , b3 , b4 are neither in A.P. nor in G.P. and

STATEMENT-2 : The numbers b1 , b2 , b3 , b4 are in H.P.
(A) Statement-1 is True, Statement- 2 is True; statement- 2 is a correct explanation for
statement-1
(B) Statement- 1 is True, Statement- 2 is True; statement- 2 is NOT a correct explanation
for statement-1
(C) Statement-1 is True, Statement-2 is False
(D) Statement-1 is False, Statement-2 is True
[JEE 2008, 3(-1)]

17. Let 𝑆𝑘 , 𝑘 = 1,2 … ,100, denote the sum of the infinite geometric series whose first term
𝐤−𝟏 1 1002
is 𝐤! and the common ratio is 𝑘. Then he value of 100!
+ ∑100 2
𝑘=1 |(𝑘 − 3𝑘 + 1)𝑠𝑘 | is
[JEE 2010]

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

18. Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … , 𝑎11 be real numbers satisfying 𝑎1 = 15,27 − 2𝑎2 > 0 and
𝑎12 +𝑎22 +⋯+𝑎11
2
𝑎𝑘 = 2𝑎𝑘−1 − 𝑎𝑘−2 for 𝑘 = 3,4 … … 11, If 11
= 90,
𝑎1 +𝑎2 +⋯⋅+𝑎11
then the value of is equal to
𝟏𝟏
[JEE 2010]

𝑝
19. Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎100 be an arithmetic progression with 𝑎1 = 3 and 𝑆𝑝 = ∑𝑖=1 𝑎𝑖 , 1 ≤
𝑆𝑚
𝑝 ≤ 100. For any integer 𝑛 with 1 ≤ 𝑛 ≤ 20, let 𝑚 = 5𝑛. If 𝑆𝑛
does not depend on 𝑛, then
𝑎2 is
[JEE 2011]

20. The minimum value of the sum of real numbers 𝑎−5 , 𝑎−4 , 3𝑎−3 , 1, 𝑎8 and 𝑎10 with 𝑎 >
0 is
[JEE 2011]

21. Let 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … … be in harmonic progression with 𝑎1 = 5 and 𝑎20 = 25. The least
positive integer n for which an < 0 is :
[JEE 2012]
(A) 22
(B) 23
(C) 24
(D) 25

k(k+1)
22. Let 𝑆n = ∑4n
k=1 (−1)
2 k 2. Then Sn can take value(s)
[JEE Advance 2013]
(A) 1056
(B) 1088
(C) 1120
(D) 1332

𝑏
23. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 be positive integers such that 𝑎 is an integer. If 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are in geometric
a2 +a−14
progression and the arithmetic mean of a, b, c is b + 2, then the value of a+1
is [JEE
Advance 2014]

24. Suppose that all the terms of an arithmetic progression (A.P.) are natural numbers. If
the ratio of the sum of the first seven terms to the sum of the first eleven terms is 6:11
and the seventh term lies in between 130 and 140 , then the common difference of this
A.P. is
[JEE Advance 2015]

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

25. Let 𝑏𝑖 > 1 for 𝑖 = 1,2, … … ,101. Suppose log 𝑒 𝑏1 , log 𝑒 𝑏2 , … … , log 𝑒 𝑏101 are in
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) with the common difference log 𝑒 2. Suppose
𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … … , 𝑎101 are in A.P. such that 𝑎1 = 𝑏1 and 𝑎51 = 𝑏51. If 𝑡 = 𝑏1 + 𝑏2 + ⋯ … + 𝑏51
and 𝑠 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + ⋯ … + 𝑎51 , then
[JEE Advance 2016]
(A) 𝑠 > 𝑡 and 𝑎101 > 𝑏101
(B) 𝑠 > 𝑡 and 𝑎101 < 𝑏101
(C) s < t and a101 > b101
(D) s < t and a101 < b101

26. The sides of a right angled triangle are in arithmetic progression. If the triangle has
area 24 , then what is the length of its smallest side?
[JEE Advance 2017]

27. Let 𝑋 be the set consisting of the first 2018 terms of the arithmetic progression
1,6,11, and Y be the set consisting of the first 2018 terms of the arithmetic progression
9,16,23, … …. Then the number elements in the set X ∪ Y is
[JEE Advanced 2018]

28. Let 𝛼 and 𝛽 be the roots of 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0 with 𝛼 > 𝛽. For all positive integers 𝐧,
𝛼 𝑛 −𝛽 𝑛
define 𝑎𝑛 = 𝛼−𝛽
,n ≥ 1,
𝑏1 = 1 and 𝑏𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛+1 , 𝑛 ≥ 2.
Then which of the following options is/are correct?
[JEE Advanced 2019]
𝑎𝑛 10
(A) ∑∞
n=1 10n = 89
(B) 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + ⋯ . . +𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛+2 − 1 for all 𝑛 ≥ 1
𝑏𝑛 8
(C) ∑∞
𝑛=1 10𝑛 = 89
(D) 𝑏𝑛 = 𝛼 𝑛 + 𝛽 𝑛 for all 𝑛 ≥ 1

29. Let AP(a; d) denote the set of all the terms of an infinite arithmetic progression with
first term a and common difference d > 0. If
AP(1; 3) ∩ AP(2; 5) ∩ AP(3; 7) = AP(a; d) then a + d equals
[JEE Advanced 2019]

30. Let a1 , a2 , a3 … be a sequence of positive integers in arithmetic progression with

common difference 2 . Also, let 𝑏1 , 𝑏2 , 𝑏3 , … be a sequence of positive integers in
geometric progression with common ratio 2 . If 𝑎1 = 𝑏1 = 𝑐, then the number of all
possible values of 𝐜, for which the equality 2(𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛 ) = 𝑏1 + 𝑏2 + ⋯ . +𝑏𝑛 holds
for some positive integer 𝐧, is
[JEE Advanced 2020]

FIITJEE Madhapur | Hyderabad

 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

ANSWER SHEET

PROFICIENCY TEST-1
4. 14,9,4 or 4,9,14 5. 5,10,15,20 6. 33 7. 9 9. 5049
10. 1071

PROFICIENCY TEST-2
1. 70336
2. 900
3. 1/5
4. 7,11,15
5. 5
6. (14𝑛 − 6)/(8𝑛 + 23)
7. 3/16

PROFICIENCY TEST-3

9. 64 and 4

PROFICIENCY TEST-4
𝑛(𝑛+1)(𝑛+2) 𝑛3 +𝑛2
1. −1 2. 40,10 3. 2 4. 5. 6. 3.2𝑛 − 2𝑛 − 3
6 2

2. 2
3. 3
4. 𝑠𝑛 = (1/24) − [1/{6(3𝑛 + 1)(3𝑛 + 4)}]; 𝑠∞ = 1/24
5. (1/5)𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2)(𝑛 + 3)(𝑛 + 4)
6. 𝑛/(2𝑛 + 1); 𝑠∞ = 1/2
7. 1

EXERCISE-I
2. 27 3. (8, −4,2,8)4
1 1 1 545
3. (a) 𝐚 = − 2 , 𝑏 = − 8; (b) − 3 (c) 2

4. a = 5, b = 8, c = 12

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

𝑛(2𝑛+1)(4𝑛+1)
5. 3
− 1

6. n2
𝐧(𝐧+𝟏)
7. 2(𝐧2 +𝐧+1)
42
8. 𝑆 = 125

9. n = 2000
10. 120,30
11. 2499
12. x = 1/5
13. 80
14. 2n+1 − 3; 2n+2 − 4 − 3n
15. n2 + 4n + 1; (1/6)n(n + 1)(2n + 13) + n
1
16. f(x) = 2 [1 − cos x]; S = 10100𝜋
17. C = 9; (3, −3/2, −3/5)

EXERCISE-II

5. 2𝑝3 − 9𝑝𝑞 + 27𝑟 = 0; roots are 1,4,7 (iii) 𝑏 = 4, 𝑐 = 6, 𝑑 = 9 or 𝑏 = −2, 𝑐 = −6, 𝑑 = −18
7. 8 problems, 127.5 minutes
9. 28
1 1
10. an = n(n+1) , Sn = 1 − (n+1) , S∞ = 1
11. √10
1 1⋅3.5
12. 𝑆𝑛 = 2 [2 − 2.4.6.6……(2𝑛−1)(2𝑛+1)(2𝑛+2)] ; 𝑆∞ = 1
13. (a) 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 9𝑂𝑅𝑏 = 1, 𝑎 = 9; (b) 𝑎 = 1; 𝑏 = 3 or vice versa
81
15. 208

EXERCISE-III
1. B 2. B 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. A 7. B
8. D 9. C 10. C 11. D 12. B 13. B 14. A
15. C 16. A 17. D 18. A 19. A 20. D 21. C
22. C 23. B 24. B 25. B 26. D 27. C 28. D

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 SEQUENCES AND SERIES

EXERCISE-IV
1. (a) B (b) D
1 −1 1 −1 1
2. (𝑟, 𝑛, 𝑎) ∈ {( , 4,108) , ( , 4,216) , ( , 2,144) , ( , 2,180) , ( , 1,160)}
3 3 9 9 81

3. (a) D (b) A
4. A = 3; B = 8
5. A.P.
6. 𝑥 = 2√2 and 𝑦 = 3
1
7. (a) A, (b) C, (c) D, (d) [(𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … … … . 𝐴𝑛 )(𝐻1 , 𝐻2 , … … … . 𝐻𝑛 )]2𝑛

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