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SEQUENCES AND SERIES

SEQUENCE & PROGRESSION

1 ST LECTURE
Syllabus in IIT JEE : Arithmetic, geometric and harmonic progressions, arithmetic,
geometric and harmonic means, sum of finite arithmetic and geometric progressions,
infinite geometric series, sum of square and cubes of the first n natural numbers.
1. INTRODUCTION :
A sequence is a set of terms which may be algebraic, real or complex numbers, written
according to definite rule and the series thus formed is called a progression.
e.g. 0, 1, 7, 26.............. (rule is n3 – 1)
1, 4, 7, 10 .............
2, 4, 6, 8, ............... etc.
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Note : Minimum number of terms in a sequence should be 3.
2. SHORT STORY :
Leading to historical development and origin of the chapter - Fredric Karl Gauss.

3(a) ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION :

It is a sequence whose terms increase or decrease by a fixed number. Fixed number is
called the common difference. If 'a' is the first term and 'd' is the common difference,
then the standard appearance of an A.P. is
a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + ......... + (a + n 1 d )
and nth or last term is given by
Tn = a + (n – 1)d
Note : If d > 0  increasing A.P.
If d < 0  decreasing A.P.
If d = 0  all the terms remain same
EXAMPLES :
(i) If 6th and 11th term of an A.P. are respectively 17 and 32. Find the 20th term. [Ans. 59]
(ii) In an A.P. if tp = q and tq = p then find the rth term. [Ans. p + q – r]
st
(iii) In an A.P. if a2 + a5 – a3 = 10 and a2 + a9 = 17 then find the 1 term and the common
difference. [a1= 13 and d = – 1]
th th th
(iv) If p , q and r term of an A.P. are respectively a, b, and c then prove that
a(q – r) + b(r – p) + (p – q) = 0
3(b) Sum of n terms of an A.P.
Sn = a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + .............. + (a + n 1 d )
Sn = (a + n 1 d ) + (a + n  2 d ) + (a + d) +.................+ a
——————————————————————————————
2Sn = n [2a + (n – 1)d]
n n
Sn = [2a + n 1 d] or (a + l) where l = a + n 1d]
2 2
n (n  1)
Remember that : (i) sum of first n natural number is
2
(ii) sum of first n odd natural number is n2
(iii) sum of first n even natural number is n(n + 1)

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
3(c) HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT AN A.P.
(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) If the number of terms in an A.P. is even then take it as 2n and if odd then take it as (2n+1)
(vi) For any series, Tn = Sn – Sn – 1. In a series if Sn is a quadratic function of n or Tn is a
linear function of n, then the series is an A.P.
(vii) If a, b, c are in A.P.  2b = a + c.

EXAMPLES :
(i) The first term of an A.P. is 5, the last is 45, and the sum 400. Find the number of terms
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and the common difference.
2
[Ans. n = 16, d = 2 ]
3
(ii) The sum of first 3 terms of an A.P. is 27 and the sum of their squares is 293. Find Sn.
n n
[Ans. Sn = (5n + 3) or (33 – 5n)]
2 2
1 1 1
(iii) In an A.P. if tm =and tn = then show that Smn = (mn + 1)
n m 2
(iv) How many terms of the sequence,
1 2
20 + 19 + 18 + ........ must be taken so that there sum is 300. Explain the reason of
3 3
double answer [Ans. 36 or 25]
(v) The sum of n terms of two A.P.'s are in the ratio of 7n + 1 : 4n + 27, find the ratio of
4
their 11th terms [Ans. ]
3
(vi) If S1, S2, S3, ...... Sp are the sums of n terms of 'p' arithmetic series whose first terms
are 1, 2, 3, 4........ and whose common difference are 1, 3, 5, 7, ......; prove that
np
S1 + S2 + S3 + ....... + Sp = (np  1)
2
n n (n  1)
[Hint: S1 = [2 + (n – 1)] =
2 2
n n (3n  1)
S2 = [4 + n  1 3] =
2 2

n n  (2p  1)n  1
Sp = [2p + n  1 (2p – 1)] =  
2 2 2
n
S1 + S2 + ..... + Sp = [n + 3n + 5n + ...... + (2p – 1)n + p]
2
n n np
= [n(1 + 3 + 5 + ..... + 2p – 1) + p] = [np2 + p] = (np+1) ]
2 2 2

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA
SEQUENCES AND SERIES
(vii) In an A.P. Sp = q = and Sq = p then show that Sp+q = – (p + q)
(viii) The number of terms in an A.P. is even, the sum of the odd terms is 24, of the even
1
terms is 30, and the last term exceeds the first term by 10 . Find the number of terms.
2
(ix) Find the sum of all integers between 1 to 100 which are divisible by 2 or 3.
(x) Find the nature and nth term of the sequence whose sum to n terms is 5n2 + 2n + 4.
[Ans. Tn = 10n – 3 (an A.P.) 7, 17, 27, 37 .........]
Asking : S = 100 – 99 + 98 – 972 + 962 – 952 + ........ + 22 – 12 = 5050.
2 2 2

Note :
(1) If a, b, c are in A.P. then prove that
(a) b + c ; c + a ; a + b are also in A.P.
[Hint: b + c = a + d + a + 2d etc, c + a = a + 3d + a = 3a + 3d etc.]
(b) (b + c)2 – a2 ; (c + a)2 – b2 ; (a + b)2 – c2 are also in A.P.
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[Hint: + c – a, c + a – IIT
b, a +Academy-INDIA
b –c are in A.P.
b + c – a = a + d + a + 2d – a = a + 3d etc. ]
(2) If a2, b2, c2 are in A.P. then prove that
1 1 1 a b c
(a) , , are in A.P.. (b) , , are in A.P..
bc ca ab bc ca ab
[Sol. a2, b2, c2 are in A.P. (given)
2(a) a2 + ab + bc + ca, b2 + ab + bc + ca, c2 + ab + bc + ca are in A.P.
(a + b)(a + c), (b + c)(b + a), (c + a)(c + b) are in A.P.
1 1 1
or , , are in A.P..
bc ca ab
a b c
2(b) TPT , , are in A.P..
bc ca ab
a b c
or TPT + 1, + 1, + 1 are in A.P..
bc ca ab
abc abc abc
or TPT , , are in A.P..
bc ca ab
1 1 1
or TPT , , are in A.P. ]
bc ca ab
Home Work after 1st lecture : Ex. IV (a) and IV (b) except mean (Hall & Knight)
2 ND LECTURE
3(d) ARITHMETIC MEAN :
Definition : When three quantities are in A.P. then the middle one is called the Arithmetic
Mean of the other two.
e.g. a, b, c are in A.P. then 'b' is the arithmetic mean between 'a' and 'c' and a + c = 2b.
It is to be noted that between two given quantities it is always possible to insert any
number of terms such that the whole series thus formed shall be in A.P. and the terms
thus inserted are called the arithmetic means.
To insert 'n' AM's between a and b.
Let A1, A2, A3 ........ An are the n means between a and b.
Hence a, A1A2, ........ Anb is an A.P. and b is the (n + 2)th terms.
ba
Hence b = a + (n + 1)d  d=
n 1
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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
Now A1 = a + d
A2 = a + 2d

An = a + nd
—————
n
 Ai = na + (1 + 2 + 3 + .... + n)d
i 1
n ( n  1) n (n  1) b  a
= na + d = na + ·
2 2 n 1
n a b
=[ 2a  b  a ] = n   = na
2  2 
Hence the sum of n AM's inserted between a and b is equal to n times a single AM
between them.
(101) (1  99)
Asking : If 101 means are inserted between 1 and 99 then their sum = =5050.
2

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EXAMPLES :
(i) Insert 20 AM's between 4 and 67.
A3 2
(ii) If p arithmetic means are inserted between 5 and 41 so that the ratio = then
A p 1 5
find the value of p. [Ans. p = 11]
(iii)109\1 A number sequence a1, a2, a3 ....... an is such that
a1 = 0 ; | a2 | = | a1 + 1 | ; | a3 | = | a2 + 1 | ...... | an | = | an – 1 + 1 |.
1
Prove that the arithmetic mean of a1, a2, ....... an is not less than – .
2
[Sol. Given a1 = 0 ; | a2 | = | a1 + 1 | ; | a3 | = | a2 + 1 | ........... | an | = | an – 1 + 1 |
also let an + 1 = | an + 1 |
now squaring a12 = 0

a 22 = a12  2a1  1

a 32  a 22  2a 2  1

a 24  a 32  2a 3  1

a 2n 1  a 2n  2a n  1
adding ————————
a12  a 22  .....  a 2n  a 2n 1 = a12  a 22  .....  a 2n  2(a1  a 2  .....  a n )  n
or a 2n 1  2(a1  a 2  .....  a n )  n
or 2 (a1 + a2 + ...... + an) = a 2n 1  n
hence, 2 (a1 + a2 + ...... + an)  – n
a1  a 2  ....  a n 1
 – ]
n 2

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SEQUENCES AND SERIES
GENERAL ILLUSTRATION ON A.P.
 x  7
(i)(a)126/1 If log3 2, log3 (2x  5) & log3  2  2  are in AP, determine x.
 
[Ans: x = 3] [IIT’90, 4]
F
F 2  5I  log G 2 J
2 x7I
x x F 7 I
 log3 (2 x log
x
GH 2 JK GG 2  5 JJ
[Sol. log3 (2  5)  log 3 2  log3 2 H 2 K  5) ; 3 3
H K
x

x 7
2x  5 2  2
2
 x
2 5
; e2  5j
x 2
 2x 1  7

2 2x  10 . 2 x  25  2 . 2 x  7 ; put 2x = y
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y2  12y  32  0  y  8 or 4 ; hence x = 3 (as x = 2 is rejected) ]
x 1 x  2 1
(b) Solve the equation   ........  = 3 [Ans. x = 7]
x x x
1
[Sol. [(x – 1) + (x – 2) + (x – 3) + ... + (x – (x – 1))] = 3
x
x(x – 1) – (1 + 2 + 3 + ... + (x – 1)) = 3x
( x 1) x
x(x – 1) – = 3x
2
1
x(x – 1)· = 3x
2
2
x – x = 6x
x(x – 7) = 0 ; x  0  x = 7 ]
(ii)(a)132/1 Find the condition that the roots of the equation x3 – px2 + qx – r = 0 may be in A.P.
and hence solve the equation x3 – 12x2 + 39x – 28 =0.
[Hint: Let the roots be a – d, a and a + d  3a = p
p
 a= must satisfy the given equation
3
p3 p2 p
 p.  q  r  0  2p3 – 9pq + 27r = 0 ....(1)
27 9 3
(This is the required condition)
now given, x3 – 12x2 + 39x – 28 = 0 ....(2)
here p = 12; q = 39 and r = 28 which satisfy (1)
hence roots of equation (2) are also in A.P.
p 12
 a=  =4
3 3
also a(a – d) (a + d) = r = 28
a2 – d2 = 7
d2 = 9  d = + 3
Hence the roots are 1, 4, 7 Ans. ]
(b) If the first 3 terms of an increasing A.P. are the roots of the cubic
n
4x3 – 24x2 + 23x + 18 = 0, then find Sn. [Ans. (5n – 7) ]
4
1 9
[Hint: series is – , 2, , ..........]
2 2
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(iii)151/1 If the sum of the roots of the equation ax² + bx + c = 0 is equal to the sum of the
squares of their reciprocals, then show that bc², ca², ab² are in AP.
b c
[Sol. ax2 + bx + c = 0 ; +=– ;  =
a a
1 1 (  )2  2
Given  +  =   +=
2 2  22

b  c 2  b 2 2c c2 b 2c
 =
–
a  a2  a2  a 
a2
=–
a
+
b
 
bc2 = – ab2 + 2ca2
bc2 + ab2 = 2ca2  bc2, ca2, ab2 in AP ]
(iv) Given a1, a2, a3.....an in A.P. Prove that

1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
+ + + ...... + 
= a a a a   .....  
a1a n a 2a n 1 a 2a n 1 a n a1 1 2 1 2 a n

(v)
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Prove that
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2 , 3 , 5 can not Academy-INDIA
be the terms of an A.P. (not necessarily adjacent)
th th th
[Hint: Let 2, 3, 5 are p , q and r terms.
Hence 2 = a + (p – 1)d ; 3 = a + (q – 1)d ; 5 = a + (r – 1)d
5 3 rq
 = ; RHS is rational and LHS is irrational ]
32 qp
Home Work after 2nd lecture : Ex. IV (a) and IV (b) including mean., (Hall & Knight)
3 RD LECTURE
4(a) GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION :
Definition : In a sequence if each term (except the first non zero term) bears the same
constant ratio with its immediately preceding term the series is called a G.P. and the
constant ratio is called the common ratio.
Standard appearance of a G.P. is
a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + ..........+ arn – 1 , where nth term is Tn = arn – 1
EXAMPLES :
1 1
(i) In a G.P. if t3 = 2 and t6 = – find t10. [Ans. – ]
4 64
(ii) If pth, qth and rth terms of a G.P. are x, y and z respectively hen prove that
xq – r · yr – p · zp – q = 1
4(b) Sum of n terms of a G.P.
S = a + ar + ar2 + .......... + arn – 1
Sr= + ar + ar2 + ...................... + arn
subtract – – –
———————————————
S(1 – r) = a – arn = a (1 – rn)
a (1  r n )
S= , where r  1, if r = 1 then S = na
1 r
If | r | < 1 and n   then rn  0 and in this case geometric series will be summable
upto infinity and its sum is given by
a
S =
1 r
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SEQUENCES AND SERIES
4(c) IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
(i) If each term of a GP be multiplied or divided by the same non-zero quantity, the
resulting sequence is also a GP.
(ii) 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/r3, a/r, ar, ar3 & so on.
(iii) If a, b, c are in GP  b2 = ac.
EXAMPLES :
(i)(a) The sum of first 3 consecutive terms of a G.P. is 19 and their product is 216. Find Sn ,
also compute s if it exist.
a
[Sol. Let the three numbers in GP are , a, ar
r
a
a   1  r  = 19 ...(1)
1
·1·ar = 216 ....(2)
r  r
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=6 IIT Academy-INDIA
1 19 1 13 13 r
now from (1) +1+r=  r+ =  r2 – +1=0
r 6 r 6 6
6r2 – 13r + 6 = 0  6r2 – 9r – 4r + 6 = 0  3r(2r –3) – 2(2r – 3) = 0
2 3
r = or r = .
3 2
27 8
Hence GP's are (i) 4, 6, 9, , ... (ii) 9, 6, 4, , ...
2 3

  3 n 
4   1   3 n 
 2    
In 1st case Sn =  = 8   2   1 ;
3
1   
2

  2 n 
91   
 3    2 n 
nd
  1    
In 2 case Sn = 2 ; S n = 27  3 
1  
3
S exists if | r | < 1. Hence in 1st case S does not exist and in 2nd case S = 27 ]
(b) In a G.P. with an
a1 + a2 + a3 = 13 and a12  a 22  a 32 = 91. Find Sn.
(ii) The sum of an infinite number of terms of a G.P. is 15 and the sum of their squares is
10 20
45. Find the series. [Ans. 5, , , .........]
13 9
n n
(iii) Evaluate   rs 2r ·3s (an elegant way of expressing a G.P.)
r 1 s 1

 0 if r  s
where rs = 
 1 if r  s

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(iv) (a) Use infinite series to compute the rational number corresponding to 0.423
(b) Find the sum S = 9 + 99 + 999 + ...... + 999
 ......
 9 n times
(c) S = 0.9 + 0.99 + 0.999 + ....... up to n times.
(v) F i n d th e f o u r su ccessi v e ter m s o f a G.P. o f w h i ch th e 2 nd term is smaller than the first
by 35 and the 3rd term is larger than the 4th by 560. [Ans. 7, – 28, 112, – 448]
[Hint. a, ar, ar2, ar3
a – ar = 35 ....(1)
ar2 – ar3 = 560 .....(2) ]
(vi) If the pth, qth, rth, sth terms of an A.P. are in G.P.
show that p – q, q – r , r – s are in G.P. [T/S, Ex-1]
[Sol. Tp, Tq, Tr and Ts are in A.P.
a  (p  1)d a  (q  1)d a  (r  1)d
 = =
a  (q  1)d a  (r  1)d a  (s  1)d
 each of these ratios
a  (p  1)d  a  (q  1)d a  (q  1)d  a  (r  1)d
=
a  (q  1)d  a  (r  1)d = a  (r  1)d  a  (s  1)d
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pq qr IIT Academy-INDIA
= =
qr r s
Hence p – q, q – r, r – s are in G.P. ]

(vii)
If S1, S2, S3,......Sp are the sums of infinite G.P. whose first terms are 1, 2, 3, .......p,
1 1 1
and whose common ratios are , , , ........, 1 respectively..
2 3 4 p 1
p
Prove that S1 + S2 + S3 + .......Sp = (p + 3).
2
Home Work after 3rd lecture : Ex. 5(a) except mean (Hall & Knight)
4 TH LECTURE
4(d) GEOMETRICAL MEAN
Definition : If a, b, c are three positive number in G.P. then b is called the geometrical
mean between a and c and b2 = ac. If a and b are two + ve real and G is the G.M.
between them, then
G2 = ab
To insert 'n' GM's between a and b
Let a and b are two positive numbers are G1, G2, .........Gn are 'n' GM's then
a G1 G2 ...........Gn b is a G.P. with 'b' as its (n+2)th term.
Hence b = arn + 1
1

 r =  b  n 1
a
Now G1 = ar, G2 = ar2, ..........Gn = arn
n ( n 1)
n n ( n 1)  1  2
n  b  n 1
hence  Gi = an r1 + 2 + .... + n = an · r 2 = a   
i 1 a
 
bn 2
= a · n 2 = an/2 · bn/2 = ab n
a
n
  =G n

where G is the angle GM between a and b.

Hence product of n GM's inserted between of a and b is equal to the nth power of a
single GM between them. It may be noted that between two positive numbers AM  GM
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SEQUENCES AND SERIES
EXAMPLES :
(i) Insert 4 GM's between 5 and 160.
(ii) If AM between a and b is 15 and GM between a and b is 9. Find the number.
(iii) If sum of two numbers a and b is n times their GM then show that
a : b = n  n2  4 : n  n2  4
a b
[Sol. a + b = n ab  + =n
b a
a 1 n  n2  4
let =y ; y+ =n  y2 – ny + 1 = 0  y = ]
b y 2
(iv) If a, b, c are in G.P. and x, y are respectively the AM's between a, b and b, c then prove that
1 1 2 a c
+ = and + =2
x y b x y
[Sol. a Sri
= a ; Chaitanya
b = ar ; c = ar2 IIT Academy-INDIA
also a, x, b in A.P and b y c in A.P.
2x = a + b = a(1 + r) ....(1)
2y = b + c = ar(1 + r) ....(2)
1 1 2 2 2(1  r ) 2 2
now + = + = = =
x y a (1  r ) ar (1  r ) ar (1  r ) ar b
a c 2 (ar 2 ) 2
again + = + [from 1 and 2]
x y 1 r ar (1  r )
2 2r
= + =2 ]
1  r (1  r )
(v) If x > 0, y > 0, z > 0 then prove that (x + y)(y + z)(z + x)  8xyz
[Hint: x + y  2 x y etc.]
(vi) Prove that a  ABC is equilateral if and only
tanA + tanB + tanC = 3 3
[Hint: Case-1 : Let ABC is equilateral then tanA + tanB + tanC = 3 3 is obviously true
Case-2 : Let tanA + tanB + tanC = 3 3 be true
tan A  tan B  tan C
= 3
3
AM of tanA, tanB, tanC = 3
 
now GM of tanA, tanB, tanC = (tanA tanB tanC)1/3 = 3 3 1 3 = 33 2 1 3 = 3  
Hence AM = GM ;  tanA = tan B = tan C   is equilateral ]
310 ·24
(vii) If a + b + c = 3 and a, b, c are +ve then prove that a2b3c2 
77
a a b b b c c
[Sol. applying AM  GM in seven numbers , , , , , ,
2 2 3 3 3 2 2
17
a  b  c  a b c  a 2b3c2
2 3 2 7
3 24 ·310
  4 3  ;   4 3 ; abc 
2 3 2 ]
7  23  7 2 ·3 77
H.W. after 4th lecture : Ex. 5(a) including means + Ex-1, T/S 1 to 15(Hall & Knight)
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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
5 TH LECTURE
5 ARITHMETIC GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION (AGP) :
Standard appearance of an AGP is
S = a + (a + d)r + (a + 2d)r2 + (a + 3d)r3 + ..........
Here each term is the product of corresponding terms in an arithmetic and geometric series.
Let

S = a + (a + d)r + (a + 2d)r2 + (a + 3d)r3 + .......... + a  n  1d rn – 1 
Sr = + ar + (a + d)r2 + ...............................+ a  n  2 d  rn – 1 + a  n  1d rn
—————————————————————————————————
Now subtract and get the expression for S and S as the case may be
EXAMPLES :
(i) If | x | < 1 then compute the sum
1
(a) 1 + 2x + 3x2 + 4x3 + ........... [Ans. ]
(1  x ) 2
1
(b) 1 + 3x + 6x2 + 10x3 + ............... [Ans. ]
(1  x )3
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(ii) Find the sum to n terms and also S
4 7 10 35 12n  7 35
(a) 1+ + 2 + 3 + ........... [Ans. Sn = – ; S = ]
5 5 5 16 16 ·5n 1  16

3 5 7 9 3 n  2
(b) + + + + ...... [Ans. Sn =  2 n  ]
5 15 45 135 5 3 
3 33 333 3333
(iii) + 2 + 3 + + .......... 
19 19 19 194

3 10  1 102  1 103  1  3 10  10 2  10 3 

[Hint: ·   2
 3
 ...... = ·         ......  ]
9  19 19 10  9 19  19   19  
6. Miscellaneous sequences
(Type-1): Sequence dealing with  n ;  n 2 ;  n3
n (n  1)
(1) n  2 

*  n2 
n (n  1)(2n  1) 
6
 Proof to be done. Results to be remembered.

 n (n  1) 
2 
 n   2    n  
** 3 2
 
For proof :
* Consider the identity k3 – (k – 1)3 = 3k2 – 3k + 1
** Consider the identity k4 – (k – 1)4 = 4k3 – 6k2 + 4k – 1
n n n n n
Note : (i)  (a r  b r ) =  a r   br ; (ii)  k ar = k  ar
r 1 r 1 r 1 r 1 r 1
n n
(iii) k = k = k n
r 1 r 1

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA
SEQUENCES AND SERIES
for e.g.

 n 
n i n
n i j i(i  1) 1
(1)   1=   ( j) =  =
2
 n
i 1 j1 k 1 i 1 j1 i 1 2 2

1  n (n  1)(2n  1) n (n  1)  n (n  1)(2n  4) n (n  1)(n  2)

=  = =
2  6 2  12 6
(2)117/QE Find the value(s) of the positive integer n for which the quadratic equation,
n
 ( x  k  1)(x  k )  10n has solutions  and  + 1 for some . [Ans. 11]
k1

n
[Hint:  ( x  K)2  ( x  K ) = 10 n
K 1
Sri
n Chaitanya IIT Academy-INDIA
x 2
 (2K  1) x  K (K  1) = 10n
K 1

n (n  1)(2n  1) n (n  1)
nx2 + n2x +  – 10n = 0
6 2
3x2 + 3nx + (n2 – 31) = 0
  (  1) n 

n  31 
2 now proceed n = 11 or – 11]
1]
.2  
3
EXAMPLES :
TYPE-1 (Base on  n 2 ;  n3 ) :
(i) Compute the sum
(31)2 + (32)2 + (33)2 + ....... + (50)2
[Hint: (12 + 22 + ..... + (50)2 ) – (12 + 22 + ..... + (30)2 )]
(ii) (a) Compute the sum of the series whose nth term is given by
Tn = n(n + 1)(3n – 1)
(b) 3 + 7 + 112 + ....... (sum to n terms)
2 2

[Hint: Tn = (4n – 1)2 ; Sn = ]

H.W. after 5th lecture : Complete Ex. 5(b) (Hall & Knight)
6 TH LECTURE
TYPE-2 (Using method of difference) :
If T1, T2, T3, ....... are the terms of a sequence then the terms
T2 – T1, T3 – T2, T4 – T3 ..........
some times are in A.P. and some times in G.P. For such series we first compute their
nth term and then compute the sum to n terms, using sigma notation.
EXAMPLES :
n (n  1)(6n  13)
(i) 6 + 13 + 22 + 33 + .................. n terms [Ans.  n]
6
n (n  1)(2n  7)
(ii) 3 + 8 + 15 + 24 + ....... up to n terms [Ans. ]
6
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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
1 n
(iii) 5 + 7 + 13 + 31 + 85 + ........... up to n terms. [Ans. 4n + (3 + 1)]
2
1 n+1
(iv) 2 + 5 + 14 + 41 + 122 + ........ up to n terms. [Ans. (3 + 2n – 3)]
4

 1  1 1   1 1 1  3n (2n  1)  1
(v) 1 + 1   + 1   2  + ........ + 1   2  .....  n 1  [Ans. ]
 3  3 3   3 3 3  4 ·3n 1
TYPE -3 (Splitting the nth term as a difference of two) :
(a) Here is a series in which each term is composed of the reciprocal of the product of r
factors in A.P., the first factor of the several terms being in the same A.P.
EXAMPLES :
1 1 1 1 1 1
(i) 1·2 ·3·4 + 2 ·3·4 ·5 + 3·4 ·5 ·6 + ......[Ans. S = –
n 18 3( n  1)(n  2)(n  3) ; S  18 ]
=

1 1 1
(ii) + + ........+ + .........
(iii)
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1·3·5 3·5 ·7
In case a factor is missing
5 ·7 ·9

3 4 5
e.g. th
1·2 ·4 2 ·3·5 3·4 ·6 + ........ then split the n as given below
+ +

n2 (n  2) 2
[Hint : Tn = =
n (n  1)(n  3) n (n  1)(n  2)(n  3)
(Note: Nr must be free from n and Dr must contain consecutive factors)
n 2  4n  4 n (n  1)  3n  4
= =
n (n  1)(n  2)(n  3) n (n  1)(n  2)(n  3)
1 3 4
= + +
(n  1)(n  2) (n  1)(n  2)(n  3) n (n  1)(n  2)(n  3)
1 2 3 4
(iv)     ........
1·3 1·3·5 1·3·5·7 1·3·5·7·9
1 1·3 1·3·5
(v) Find Sn and S for    ...........
2·4 2·4·6 2·4·6·8
1·3·5......(2n  1)[(2n  2)  (2n  1)] 1·3·5......(2n  1) 1·3·5......(2n  1)
[Hint: Tn = =  ]
2·4·6.........(2n  2) 2·4·6.........2n 2·4·6.........(2n  2)

TYPE-4 :
Here is a series in which each terms is composed of r factor in A.P., the first factor of
the several terms being in the same A.P.
Examples :
(i) 1·2·3·4 + 2·3·4·5 + 3·4·5·6 + ........ up to n terms
[Sol. Tn = n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n +3)
n (n  1)(n  2)(n  3)[(n  4)  (n  1)]
=
5

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA
SEQUENCES AND SERIES
1
= [n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4) – (n – 1)n(n +1)(n + 2)(n + 3)]
5
1
T1 = [1·2·3·4·5 – 0]
5
1
T2 = [2·3·4·5·6 – 1·2·3·4·5]
5

1
Tn = [n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4) – (n – 1)n(n +1)(n + 2)(n + 3)]
5
———————————————————————————
1
Sn = [n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4)] Ans. ]
5
H.W. after 6th lecture : Ex.-29(a) complete and selected from Ex.-29(b) (Hall & Knight)
Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy-INDIA
7 TH LECTURE
7(a) HARMONICAL PROGRESSION (HP) :
Definition : A sequence is said to be in H.P. if the reciprocals of its terms are in A.P.
1 1 1
e.g. if a1, a2, a3, ....... are in H.P. then a , a , a ..... are in A.P..
1 2 3

1 1 1 1
A standard H.P. is + + + ........ + a  n  1d
a ad a  2d
Note :
(i) If the term of an H.P. is  this means that the corresponding term of the A.P. is zero.
(ii) There is no general formula for finding the sum to n terms of H.P.
1 1 1
(iii) If a, b, c are in H.P.  , , are in A.P
a b c
2 1 1 2ac
 = +  b=
b a c ac
1 1 1 1 ab bc a ab
or– = – i.e. = i.e. =
b a c b ab bc c bc
EXAMPLES :
1 1 3
(i) If the 3rd , 6th and last term of a H.P. are , , , find the number of terms.
3 5 203
[Ans. 100]
(ii) If m term of an H.P. is n, and n term is equal to m then prove that (m + n)th term
th th

mn
is .
mn
(iii) If a1, a2, a3......an are in H.P. then prove that
a1a2 + a2a3 + a3a4 + ...... + an–1·an = (n – 1)a1an
1 1 1 1
[Hint: a , a , a ........ a are in A.P.
1 2 3 n

a1  a 2 a2  a3 a n 1  a n
d= aa = a a = ........... a a
1 2 2 3 n n 1

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
1 a a
now LHS = [(a1 – a2) + (a2 – a3) + ...... + (an–1 – an)] = 1 n
d d
1 1 a1  a n
now an = a1 + (n – 1)d  (n – 1)d = a n a1
a1  a n
d = (a a )(n  1) ;  LHS = (n – 1)a1an = RHS ]
n 1

7(b) HARMONICAL MEAN :

If a, b, c are in H.P. then middle term is called the harmonic mean between them. Hence
if H is the harmonic mean (H.M.) between a and b then a, H, b are in H.P.
2ab
and H = .
ab
To insert n HM between a and b.
Let H1, H2........Hn are n HM's between a and b
hence a, H1, H2, .....Hn b are in H.P.
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1 1
,
a H1 H 2
,
1
......
1 1
,
Hn b
are in A.P.

1 1 1 ab
= + (n + 1)d ; – = (n + 1)d ; d =
b a a ab(n  1)
1 1
= +d
H1 a
1 1
= + 2d
H2 a
1 1
H3 = + 3d
a

1 1
Hn = + nd
a
——————
n 1 ab
n d (n )(n  1) n n (n  1)
H = + = + ·
i 1 i a 2 a 2 ab(n  1)

1 a  b  n n (a  b) 1
=n   = [2b + a – b] = = n ·
 a 2ab  2ab 2ab H
Hence sum of the reciprocals of all the n HM's between a and b is equal to n times a
single HM between a and b.
EXAMPLE :
(i)130/1 If ‘a’ is the A.M. of ‘b’ and ‘c’ ; ‘b’ the G.M. of ‘c’ and ‘a’ , then prove that ‘c’ is the
H.M. of ‘a’ and ‘b’.
[Sol. 2a = b + c ....(1) ; b2 = ac ....(2)
2ab
T.P.T. c=
ab
Now 2ab = (b + c)b = b2 + bc = ac + bc = c (a+b) ]
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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA
SEQUENCES AND SERIES
(ii) If a2, b2, c2 are in A.P. show that b + c, c + a, a + b are in H.P.
[Sol. By adding ab + ac + bc to each term, we see that
a2 + ab + ac + bc, b2 + ba + bc + ac, c2 + ca + cb + ab are in A.P.
that is (a + b)(a + c), (b + c)(b + a), (c + a)(c + b) are in A.P.
 dividing each terms by (a + b)(b + c)(c + a)
1 1 1
, , are in A.P..
bc ca ab
that is, b + c, c + a, a + b are in H.P. ]

Relation between A.M, G.M. and H.M :

If a and b are two positive numbers then A  G  H and A, G, H are in G.P. i.e. G2=AH
ab 2ab G
Proof: We have A = , G = ab and H = a A b
2 ab
H
SriAHChaitanya
now = ab = G2 IIT
 Academy-INDIA
A G H are in G.P.
A G
also
= ;  AG  GH
G H
Hence A  G  H Infact RMS  AM  GM  HM ]
GENERAL ILLUSTRATIONS :
ax ay az
(i) If p x = q y = r z and p, q, r are in A.P. then prove that x, y, z are in H.P..
a a a a a a a
1 1 1  
x y z x y y z
[Sol. = = ;  =
p q r pq qr
Since p, q, r are in A.P  p–q=q–r
a a a a 1 1 1
 – = –  , , are in A.P..  x, y, z in H.P. ]
x y y z x y z

(ii) If ax = by = cz = dw = .... and a, b, c, d are in G.P. then prove that x, y, z, w... are in H.P.
[T/S Ex-1]
[Sol. If x y z w
a = b = c = d = ....... = k
1 1 1 1
a= ;b= k ;c= y ;d=
kx kz kw
b c d
 a, b, c, d are in G.P.  = =
a b c

k1 y k1 z k1 w
i.e.   = .........
k1 x k1 y k1 z
1 1 1 1 1 1
  
y z = k z y =
k kw z
1 1 1 1 1 1
– = – = –
y x z y w z
1 1 1 1
, , , , .... are in A.P.  x, y, z, w ..... H.P.]
x y z w

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 Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy- INDIA SEQUENCES AND SERIES
(iii) If a, b, c are three distinct positive reals in H.P. then prove that an + cn > 2bn.
[Sol. using AM > GM in an and cn
a n  cn
> (an cn)1/2
2
i.e. a + cn > 2(ac)n/2 ....(1)
n

a, b, c are in H.P.  b is the HM between a and c.

hence applying GM > HM
ac > b ; (ac)n/2 > bn ; 2(ac)n/2 = 2bn ....(2)
from (1) and (2)
an + cn > 2bn ]

(iv) If a, b, c are in H.P. p, q, r are in H.P. and ap, bq, cr are in G.P. then prove that
p r a c
+ = +
r p c a
ac 2pr
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[Sol. b =
2
; q=
pr
and apcr = b2q2

2
a c
2
 2pr  ( a  c) 2  p 2 r 2
apcr =   ·  =
 2   p  r  (p  r ) 2

(p  r ) 2 (a  c) 2
= =
pr ac
p r a c
=  =  Hence proved. ]
r p c a

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