SEQUENCE & SERIES 1

"1729 is a very interesting number; it is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two
cubes in two different ways." ...... S.Ramanujan

1. Sequence
In mathematics, a sequence is an ordered list of objects (which can be numbers, letters,
names etc.). Like a set, it contains members (also called elements or terms), and the
position of each member is fixed. Unlike a set, in a sequence, order of elements matters
and the same element can appear multiple times at different positions. A sequence can
have any number of terms which can be finite or infinite. Total number of terms (possibly
infinite) is called the length of the 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) = tn, n  N is called a sequence and is denoted by
{f(1), f(2), f(3), ...............} = {t1, t2, t3, ...............} = {tn}

1.1 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, ......................

1.2 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.

2. Series :
By adding or subtracting the terms of a sequence, we get an expression which is called a
series.
If a1, a2, a3,........an is a sequence, then the expression a1 + a2 + a3 + ...... + an is a series.
e.g. (i) 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ............... + n
(ii) 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + ...............
 2 SEQUENCE & SERIES
(iii) – 1 + 3 – 9 + 27 – ...............

3. Progression
The word progression refers to sequence or series – finite or infinite
It is not necessary that the terms of a sequence always follow a certain pattern or they
are described by some explicit formula for the nth term. Those sequences whose terms
follow certain patterns are called progressions.
For example, sequence of all even natural numbers i.e., (2, 4, 6, …) is a progression.

Problem: 1

Write down the sequence whose nth term is

Sol. Let tn =
put n = 1, 2, 3, 4, .............. we get

t1 = –2, t2 = , t3 = –8, t4 =

so the sequence is –2, , –8, , ........

SEQUENCE & SERIES 3
 4 SEQUENCE & SERIES

YOUR TURN-

1. Write the first five terms of the following sequence and obtain the corresponding series,
a 1=a2=2, a n=a n−1−1 ,n> 2
1
2. If a n+1= for n ≥ 1 and a 3=a1 , then find the value of (a ¿¿ 2001)2001 ¿ .
1−an
3. Let {an } (n ≥ 1¿ be a sequence such that a 1=1 , and 3 a n+1−3 a n=1 for n ≥ 1. Then find the value of a 2002 .
SEQUENCE & SERIES 5
6 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 7

Arithmetic progression (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 ...........

nth term of an A.P. :

Let 'a' be the first term and 'd' be the common difference of an A.P., then

tn = a + (n – 1) d
 8 SEQUENCE & SERIES
d = tn – t n – 1
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 9

Problem: 2 : Find the number of terms in the sequence 4, 7, 10, 13, ........,82.
Sol. Let a be the first term and d be the common difference
a = 4, d = 3 so 82 = 4 + (n – 1)3
 n = 27
10 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 11
12 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 13
14 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 15
16 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 17
18 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 19
20 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 21

YOUR TURN-

1. If the p th term of an A.P. is q and the q th term is p, then find its r th term.

1 1 1
2. If x is a positive real number different from 1 , then prove that the numbers , , , … are in
1+ √ x 1−x 1−√ x
A.P. Also find their common difference.
3. The sum of the first four terms of an A.P. is 56. The sum of the last four terms is 112. If its first term is 11, then
find the number of terms.
 22 SEQUENCE & SERIES
4. The fourth power of the common difference of an arithmetic progression with integer entries is added to the
product of any four consecutive of it. Prove that the resulting sum is the squares of an integer.
5. Divide 28 into four parts in an A.P. so that the ratio of the product of first and third with the product of second
and fourth is 8 :15.

6. Find the number of common terms to the two sequences 17 , 21 ,25 , … , 417 and 16 , 21 ,26 ,… , 466.

7. If a , b , c , d are distinct integers in an A.P. such that d=a2 +b2 + c2 , then find the value of a+ b+c +d .

8. Which term of the sequence 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, ............. is the first negative
term
9. For an A.P. show that tm + t2n + m = 2 tm + n

1. p+q−r

2. Common diff. =
√x
1−x
3. 11 terms
5. 4, 6, 8, 10
6. 20 terms
7. 2
8. 403
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

Sn = [2a + (n – 1) d]

= [a + ]  , for n is odd. (Where  is the last term and is the middle
term.)
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 23

Note : For any sequence {tn}, whose sum of first r terms is Sr, rth term, tr = Sr – Sr – 1.

Problem: 3 : If in an A.P., 3rd term is 18 and 7 term is 30, then find sum of its
first 17 terms
Sol. Let a be the first term and d be the common difference
a + 2d = 18
 24 SEQUENCE & SERIES
a + 6d = 30
d = 3 , a = 12

s17 = [2 × 12 + 16 × 3] = 612

Problem: 4 : Find the sum of all odd numbers between 1 and 1000 which are
divisible by 3
Sol. Odd numbers between 1 and 1000 are
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, ------ 993, 995, 997, 999.
Those numbers which are divisible by 3 are
3, 9, 15, 21, ------- 993, 999
They form an A.P. of which a = 3 , d = 6,  = 999  n = 167

S= [a + ] = 83667
SEQUENCE & SERIES 25
26 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 27

Problem: 6 : If sum of n terms of a sequence is given by Sn = 3n2 – 4n, find its 50th term.
Sol. Let tn is nth term of the sequence so tn = Sn – Sn – 1.
= 3n2 – 4n – 3(n – 1)2 + 4(n – 1) = 6n – 7
so t50 = 293.
28 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 29
30 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 31
32 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 33
34 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 35
36 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 37
38 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 39
40 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 41
 42 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 5 : The ratio between the sum of n term of two A.P.’s is 3n + 8 : 7n + 15. Then find
the ratio between their 12 th term

Sol. = or ----- (i)

we have to find
choosing (n – 1)/2 = 11 or n = 23 in (1),

we get =
SEQUENCE & SERIES 43
44 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 45
46 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 47
48 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 49
 50 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Self YOUR TURN-s :

n(n−1)
1. If Sn=nP+ Q , where Sn denotes the sum of the first n terms of an A.P., then find the common
2
difference.

2. Solve the equation (x +1)+(x +4)+(x+ 7)+ ⋯ +(x+ 28)=155.

3. If the sum of first 10 terms of an A.P. is 4 times the sum of its first 5 terms, then find the ratio of first term and
common difference.

4. The sum of n , 2 n ,3 n terms of an A.P. are S1 , S 2 , S3, respectively. Prove that S3=3 ( S 2−S 1 ).
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 51

5. Let Sn denote the sum of first n terms of an A.P. If S2 n=3 Sn , then find the ratio S3 n / Sn.

6. The ratio of the sums of m and n terms of an A.P. is m 2 : n2. Show that the ratio of the m th and n th terms is
(2 m−1) : (2 n−1).
7. Find the sum to n terms of the series 12−22 +32−4 2 +52 −62 +⋯.

8. The interior angles of a polygon are in arithmetic progression. The smallest angle is 120∘, and the common
difference is 5∘. Find the number of sides of the polygon.

9. 150 workers were engaged to finish a piece of work in a certain number of days. Four workers dropped the
second day, four more workers dropped the third day and so on. Because of this, it took 8 extra days to finish
the work. Find the number of days in which the work is completed.
10. Find the maximum sum of the A.P. 40 + 38 + 36 + 34 + 32 + .......

11. Find the sum of first 16 terms of an A.P. a 1, a2, a3....If it is known that a 1 + a4 + a7 + a10 +
a13 + a16 = 147
Ans.

1. Q

2. x=1

1
3.
2
5. 6

−n(n+ 1) n(n+1)
7. When n is even, ; When n is odd,
2 2
8. Nine
9. 25 days
10. 420
11. 392
Properties of A.P.
(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.
(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. an = 1/2 (ank + an+k), k < n. For k = 1, an = (1/2) (an1+ an+1);
For k = 2, an = (1/2) (an2+ an+2) and so on.
 52 SEQUENCE & SERIES
(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.

Problem: 7 : The numbers t (t2 + 1), and 6 are three consecutive terms of an A.P. If t be
real, then find the the next two term of A.P.
Sol. 2b = a + c  –t2 = t3 + t + 6
or t3 + t2 + t + 6 = 0
or (t + 2) (t2 – t + 3) = 0  t2 – t + 3  0  t =
–2
the given numbers are – 10, – 2, 6
which are in an A.P. with d = 8. The next two numbers are 14, 22
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 53
Problem: 8 : If a1, a2, a3, a4, a5 are in A.P. with common difference  0, then find the value of

, when
a3 = 2.
Sol. As a1, a2, a3, a4, a5 are in A.P., we have a1 + a5 = a2 + a4 = 2a3.

Hence = 10.

Problem: 9 : If a(b + c), b(c + a), c(a + b) are in A.P., prove that , , are also in A.P.
Sol. a(b + c), b(c + a), c(a + b) are in A.P.  subtract ab + bc + ca
from each
– bc, – ca, – ab are in A.P.
divide by –abc

, , are in A.P.
54 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 55
 56 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 10 : If , b, are in A.P. then prove that ,b are in A.P.

Sol.  , b, are in A.P.

b– = –b

=
 –a + abc = c – abc
a + c = 2abc
divide by ac

= 2b  , b, are in A.P.
SEQUENCE & SERIES 57
58 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 59

Arithmetic mean (mean or average) (A.M.) :

 One AM between two numbers-
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 a1, a2,..., an is; A = .

n - Arithmetic means between two numbers :
 60 SEQUENCE & SERIES

If a, b are any two given numbers & a, A1, A2,...., An, b are in A.P., then A1, A2,... An are the
n A.M.’s between a & b.

A1 = a + , A2 = a + ,......, An = a +
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. Ar = nA, where A is the single A.M. between a & b i.e. A =

 SEQUENCE & SERIES 61

Problem: 12 : Insert 10 A.M. between 3 and 80.

Sol. Here 3 is the first term and 80 is the 12th term of A.P. so 80 = 3 + (11)d
 d=7
so the series is 3, 10, 17, 24, ........, 73, 80
 required means are 10, 17, 24, ........, 73.
 62 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 11 : If a, b, c,d,e, f are A. M’s between 2 and 12, then find a + b + c + d + e + f.

Sol. Sum of A.M.s = 6 single A.M. = = 42

Self YOUR TURN-s :
(5) There are n A.M.’s between 3 and 29 such that 6th mean : (n – 1)th mean : : 3 : 5
then find the value of n.
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 63

(6) For what value of n, , a  b is the A.M. of a and b.

Ans. (5) n = 12 (6) n = –2
n n
a +b
10. If n−1 n−1
is the A.M between a and b , then find the value of n .
a +b
11. n arithmetic means are inserted between x and 2 y and then between 2 x and y . If the r th means in each case
be equal, then find the ratio x / y .

1 1 1
12. If ¿ are in A.P., then prove that , , are also in A.P.
b−c c−a a−b
ANS

10. n=1
r
11.
n−r + 1
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, ar2, ar3, ar4,...... is a G.P. with 'a' as the first term & 'r' as common ratio.

e.g. (i) 2, 4, 8, 16, ....... (ii) , , , , .......

 64 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Results : (i) nth term of GP = a rn1

(ii) Sum of the first n terms of GP

Sn =
(iii) Sum of an infinite terms of GP when r < 1. When n  rn  0 if r < 1 therefore,

S =
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 65

Problem: 13 : The nth term of the series 3, , 1 , ------ is , then find n

Sol.  n = 13
Problem: 14 : 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.
Sol. Let the G.P. be 1, r, r2, r3, .........

given condition  r=  r= ,

Hence series is 1, , , , ..............

Problem: 15 : In a G.P.., T2 + T5 = 216 and T4 : T6 = 1 : 4 and all terms are integers, then find
its first term :
 66 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Sol. ar (1 + r3) = 216 and

 r2 = 4  r = ± 2
when r = 2 then 2a(9) = 216  a = 12
when r = – 2, then – 2a (1–8) = 216

 a= = , which is not an integer.

SEQUENCE & SERIES 67
68 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 69
70 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 71
 72 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Properties of G.P.
(i) If a, b, c are in G.P.  b2 = ac, in general if a1, a2, a3, a4,......... an – 1 , an are in G.P.,
then a1an = a2an – 1 = a3 an – 2 = ..........................

(ii) Any three consecutive terms of a G.P. can be taken as , a , ar.

(iii) Any four consecutive terms of a G.P. can be taken as, , ar, ar3.
(iv) If each term of a G.P. be multiplied or divided or raised to power by the same
nonzero quantity, the resulting sequence is also a G.P..
(v) If a1, a2, a3,........ and b1, b2, b3,......... are two G.P’s with common ratio r 1 and r2
respectively, then the sequence a1b1, a2b2, a3b3, ..... is also a G.P. with common ratio r 1
r2.
(vi) If a1, a2, a3,..........are in G.P. where each a i > 0, then log a1, loga2, loga3,..........are in
A.P. and its converse is also true.
SEQUENCE & SERIES 73
 74 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 16 : Three numbers form an increasing G.P. If the middle number is doubled, then
the new numbers are in A.P. The common ratio of G.P. is :

Sol. Three number in G.P. are , a, ar

then , 2a ar are in A.P. as given.

 2(2a) = a
or r2 – 4r + 1 = 0

or r = 2 ±

or r = 2 + as r > 1 for an increasing G.P.

SEQUENCE & SERIES 75
76 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 77
 78 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Geometric means (mean proportional) (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 = and if a and c are both negative, then b = –

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

 SEQUENCE & SERIES 79

n-Geometric means between a, b :

If a, b are two given numbers & a, G1, G2,....., Gn, b are in G.P.. Then
G1, G2, G3,...., Gn are n G.M.s between a & b.
G1 = a(b/a)1/n+1, G2 = a(b/a)2/n+1,......, Gn = 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. Gr = = Gn , where G is the single G.M. between a & b.

80 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 81
82 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 83
84 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 85
 86 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 20 : Between 4 and 2916 are inserted odd number (2n + 1) G.M’s. Then the (n + 1)th
G.M. is
Sol. 4, G1.G2, ....... Gn+1, .... G2n, G2n+1, 2916
Gn+1 will be the middle mean of (2n +1) odd means and it will be equidistant from Ist and
last term
 4,Gn+1 , 2916 will also be in G.P.

 = 4 × 2916 = 4 × 9 × 324 = 4 × 9 × 4 × 81
Gn+1 = 2 × 3 × 2 × 9 = 108.
Self YOUR TURN-s :
(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 x, 2y, 3z are in A.P. where the distinct numbers x, y, z are in G.P. Then find the
common ratio of G.P.
(9) A G.P. consist of 2n terms. If the sum of the terms occupying the odd places is S 1 and
that of the terms occupying the even places is S 2 , then find the common ratio of the
progression.
(10) If continued prodcut of three number in G.P. is 216 and sum of there product in pairs is
156. Find the numbers.

Ans. (7) 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, 486 (8) (9) .

(10) 2, 6, 18

1. The first and second terms of a G.P. are x−4 and x n, respectively. If x 52 is the 8 th term, then find the value of n
.
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 87

2. If a , b , and c are, respectively, the p th, q th, and r th terms of a G.P., then show that
(q−r )log ⁡a+(r− p)log ⁡b +(p−q )log ⁡c=0.
3. If p , q, and r are in A.P., show that the p th, q th, and r th terms of any G.P. are in G.P.

4. If a , b , c , d are in G.P, prove that ( a n +bn ) , ( b n+ c n ) , ( c n+ d n ) are in G.P.

5. Let T r denote the r th term of a G.P. for r =1, 2 , 3 , … If for some postivie integers m and n , we have
2 2
T m=1/n and T n=1/m , then find the value of T (m +n)/2.

6. If a , b , c , and d are in G.P., show that ¿ ( a 2+ b2 +c 2 ) ( b2 +c 2 +d 2 ).

7. The sum of three numbers in G.P. is 56 . If we subtract 1 ,7 ,21 from these numbers in that order, we obtain an
arithmetic progression. Find the numbers.

8. If x , y and z are p th, q th and r th terms, respectively, of an A.P. and also of a G.P., then prove that
y−z z−x x− y
x y z =1.
175
9. The product of three numbers in G.P. is 125 and sum of their products taken in pairs is . Find them.
2
10. Find the product of three geometric means between 4 and 1/4.
11. Find two numbers whose arithmetic mean is 34 and the geometric mean is 16 .

12. If the arithmetic mean of two positive numbers a and b (a>b) is twice their geometric mean, then find the ratio
a :b .
52
13. Let a 1 , a2 , a3 , … and b 1 , b2 , b3 , … be two geometric progressions with a 1=2 √ 3 and b 1= √3. If 3 a 99 b 99
9
¿ 104 , then find the value of a 1 b 1+ a2 b 2+ …+a n b n.
Answers

1. n=4

5. 1/mn

7. 8 , 16 , 32

9. 5/2 , 5 ,10

10. 1
11. 64 and 4

12. (2+ √ 3):(2− √ 3)

13. 3536
88 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 89

Problem: 17 : The sum of an infinite geometric progression is 2 and the sum of the geometric
progression made from the cubes of this infinite series is 24. Then find its first
term and common ratio :
Sol. Let a be the first term and r be the common ratio of G.P.
90 SEQUENCE & SERIES

, , –1 < r < 1

Solving we get a = 3, r =
SEQUENCE & SERIES 91
92 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 93
94 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 95
96 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 97
 98 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 18 : Express in the form of , (where p, q , q  0)

 SEQUENCE & SERIES 99

Sol. S= + .......  = =
Problem: 19 : Evaluate 9 + 99 + 999 + ........... upto n terms.
Sol. Let S = 9 + 99 + 999 + ..........upto n terms.
= [9 + 99 + 999 + .......]
= [(10 – 1) + (102 – 1) + (103 – 1) + ........ + upto n terms]

= [10 + 102 + 103 + ...........+ 10n – n] =

100 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 101
102 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 103
104 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 105
106 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 107
108 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 109
110 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 111

Self YOUR TURN-s :

(11) Find the value of n so that may be the G.M. between a and b.

(12) If a = , b = 1 + 10 + 102 + 103 + 104 and c = 1 + 105 + 1010 + ..... +

1050, then prove that
(i) ‘a’ is a composite number (ii) a = bc.

Ans. (11) n=–

1. A G.P. consists of an even number of terms. If the sum of all the terms is 5 times the sum of the terms
occupying odd places, then find the common ratio.
n+1
3
2. If the sum of n terms of a G.P. is 3− 2n
, then find the common ratio.
4
2
3. Prove that
(666 ⋯ 6 ¿ +888 ⋯ 8)=444 ⋯ 4
n digits 2n digits .
n digits

4. Find the sum (x + y )+ ( x2 + xy + y 2 ) + ( x 3 + x 2 y+ x y 2 + y 3 ) +⋯ n terms.

5. Find the sum of n terms of the series 4 /3+10 /9+28/27 +⋯ .

6. If p(x )=( 1+ x 2 + x 4 +⋯+ x 2 n−2) / ( 1+ x+ x 2 +⋯+ x n−1 ) is a polynomial in x , then find possible values of n .

()()
2 3
3 3 3
7. If a n= − + +⋯+¿ and b n=1−an, then find the least natural number n 0 such that
4 4 4
b n> an ∀ n≤ n 0.
∞ n ∞ 2n
8. If the sum of the series ∑ n=0 r ,∨r∨¿ 1 is s, then find the sum of the series ∑ n=0 r .
 112 SEQUENCE & SERIES

9. Prove that 61 /2 ×6 1/ 4 ×61 / 8 ⋯ ∞=6 .

10.
(
Find the sum to n terms of the series, 1+ 1+
1 1
)(
1 1 1 1
+ + 1+ + 2 + 3 + 4 +⋯
2 22 2 2 2 2 )
ANSWERS

1. 4

2. 3/16

[
1 x ( x −1 ) y ( y −1 )
]
2 n 2 n
4. −
x− y x−1 y−1
n
3 (2 n+1)−1
5.
2 ×3 n
6. n is odd

7. 6
2
8.
s
2 s−1

10. 2 n−
4
3 (1
1− 2 n
2 )
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 + 7x3 +.....
Here 1, 3, 5,.... are in A.P. & 1, x, x2, x3..... are in G.P..
Sum of n terms of an arithmetico-geometric series:
Let Sn = a + (a + d) r + (a + 2 d) r² +..... + [a + (n  1)d] rn1, then

Sn = , r  1.

Sum to infinity: If r < 1 & n  , then rn = 0 and n.rn = 0

 S = .
SEQUENCE & SERIES 113
114 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 115
116 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 117
118 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 119
120 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 121
122 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 123
124 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 125

Problem: 24 : The sum to n terms of the series 1 + 5 + 9 + 13

+ ....... is .

Sol. Let x= , then

 126 SEQUENCE & SERIES

1–x= , =–

=–
S = 1 + 5x + 9x2 + ....... + (4n – 3)xn–1
Sx = x + 5x2 + ........ (4n – 3)xn
S – Sx = 1 + 4x + 4x2 + ......... + 4xn–1 – (4n – 3)xn.

S(1 – x) = 1 + [1 –xn–1] – (4n – 3)xn

S = = = n (4n –
3).
Problem: 25 : Find sum to infinite terms of the series 1 + 2x + 3x2 + 4x3 + ....., –1 < x < 1
Sol. let S = 1 + 2x + 3x2 + 4x3 + ..... ........(i)
xS = x + 2x2 + 3x3 + ......... ........(ii)
(i) - (ii)  (1 – x) S = 1 + x + x2 + x3 + ..........

or S =

Problem: 26 : Evaluate : 12 + 22x + 32x2 + 42x3 ....... upto infinite terms for | x | < 1.
Sol. Let s = 12 + 22x + 32x2 + 42x3 ............  ...(i)
xs = 12x + 22x2 + 32x3...............  ...(ii)
(i) – (ii)
(1 – x) s = 1 + 3x + 5x2 + 7x3 + ........

(1 – x) s = +

s= +

s=

s=
Self YOUR TURN-s :
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 127

(17) If 4 + + ......... = 1, then find d.

(18) Evaluate : 1 + 3x + 6x2 + 10x3 + ...... upto infinite term, where | x | < 1.

(19) Sum to n terms of the series : 1 + 2 +3 + ......

Ans. (17) –

(18)
(19) n2

−n
1. If α is the nth root of unity, then prove that 1+2 α +3 a2+ ¿…upto n terms ¿ .
1−α
2. Find the sum of n terms of the series 1+4 /5+7 /5 2+10 /52+… .

3 5 7 9
3. Find the sum − + − +… ∞ .
2 6 18 54
2 2 2 2
1 3 5 7
4. Find the sum + + + +… ∞ .
2 22 23 24
Answers

2.
5 15
+
4 16 ( 1
1− n−1 −
5 )
(3 n−2)
4(5¿ ¿ n−1)¿

15
3.
16
4. 17
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
a1, a2, a3,...., an is in H.P. then 1/a1, 1/a2,...., 1/an 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 nth term is tn = .

 128 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 21 : The 7th term of a H.P. is and 12th term is , find the 20th term of H.P.
Sol. Let a be the first term and d be the common difference of corresponding A.P.
a + 6d = 10
a + 11d = 25
5d = 15
d = 3, a = – 8
T20 = a + 19d
= – 8 + 19 × 3 = 49

20 term of H.P. =
SEQUENCE & SERIES 129
130 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 131
132 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 133
134 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 135
 136 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Harmonic mean (H.M.):

If a, b, c are in H.P., b is called as the H.M. between a & c, then b =

If a1, a2 , ........ an are ‘n’ non-zero numbers then H.M. 'H' of these numbers is given by

=
SEQUENCE & SERIES 137
138 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 139

Problem: 22 : Insert 4 H.M between and .

Sol. Let 'd' be the common difference of corresponding A.P..

so d = = 1.

 = +1= or H1 =

= +2= or H2 =

= +3= or H3 =

= +4= or H4 = .
140 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 141
 142 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Problem: 23 : Find the largest positive term of the H.P., whose first two term are and .

Sol. The corresponding A.P. is , ........ or , , , , , .......

The H.P. is , , , , , , .......

Largest positive term = =6

Self YOUR TURN-s :
(13) If a, b, c, d, e are five numbers such that a, b, c are in A.P., b, c, d are in G.P. and c, d, e
are in H.P. prove that a, c, e are in G.P.
(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) a, b, c are in H.P. then prove that + =2

(16) If a, b, c, d are in H.P., then show that ab + bc + cd = 3ad

1. The 8th and 14 th term of a H.P. are 1/2 and 1/3, respectively. Find its 20 th term. Also, find its general term.

2. If the first two terms of a H.P. are 2/5 and 12/13, respectively. Then find the largest term.
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 143

3. If a , b , c are in G.P. and a−b , c−a, and b−c are in H.P., then prove that a+ 4 b +c is equal to 0 .

x z a c
4. If x , y , and z are in A.P., ax , by , and cz in G.P. and a , b , c in H.P., then prove that + = + .
z x c a
−2 −2
a −d
5. If a , b , c , and d are in H.P., then find the value of −2 −2
.
b −c
∞ ∞ ∞
6. If x= ∑ ❑ an , y =∑ ❑ bn , z=∑ ❑ c n, where a , b, and c are in A.P. and ¿ a∨¿ 1 ,∨b∨¿ 1, and
n=0 n=0 n=0
¿ c∨¿ 1, then prove that x , y , and z are in H.P.
7. If x ,1, and z are in A.P. and x ,2 , and z are in G.P., then prove that x , and 4 , z are in H.P.

8. If a , a 1 , a2 , a3 , … , a2 n , b are in A.P. and a , g1 , g 2 , g3 , …, g2 n , b are in G.P. and h is the H.M. of a and b ,

then prove that

a1 +a 2n a2 +a2 n−1 an +an +1 2 n

+ + ⋯+ =
g1 g2 n g 2 g2 n−1 g n gn +1 h
9. If the sum of the roots of the quadratic equation a x 2 +¿ bx +c=0 is equal to the sum of the squares of their
a b c
reciprocâls, thên prove thât , and âré inn H.P.
c a b
10. The A.M. of two given positive numbers is 2 . If the larger number is increased by 1, the G.M. of the numbers
becomes equal to the A.M. of the given numbers. Then find the H.M.

11. The harmonic mean between two numbers is 21/5, their A.M. ' A ' and G.M. ' G ' satisfy the relation
2
3 A +G =36 . Then find the sum of square of numbers.
Answers

1 6
1. 20th term = , general term =
4 n+4
2. Second term is the largest
5. 3

3
10.
2
11. 58
Relation between means :
(i) If A, G, H are respectively A.M., G.M., H.M. between a & b both being positive, then G² =
AH
(i.e. A, G, H are in G.P.) and A  G  H.
Problem: 27 : The A.M. of two numbers exceeds the G.M. by 2 and the G.M. exceeds the H.M.

by ; find the
numbers.
 144 SEQUENCE & SERIES
Sol. Let the numbers be a and b, now using the relation

G2 = AH = (G + 2) G = 8 ; A = 10
i.e. ab = 64
also a + b = 20
Hence the two numbers are 4 and 16.
SEQUENCE & SERIES 145
146 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 147
148 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 149

A.M.  G.M.  H.M.

Let a1, a2, a3, .......an be n positive real numbers, then we define their

A.M. = , their
G.M. = (a1 a2 a3 .........an)1/n and their
 150 SEQUENCE & SERIES

H.M. = .
It can be shown that A.M.  G.M.  H.M. and equality holds at either places iff a 1 = a2 =
a3 = .........= an

Problem: 28 : If a, b, c > 0, prove that + + 3

Sol. Using the relation A.M.  G.M. we have

  + + 3
Problem: 29 : If ai > 0  i = 1, 2, 3, ....... prove that (a1 + a2 + a3 .... + an)

 n2
Sol. Using the relation A.M.  H.M.

 (a1 + a2 + a3 .... + an)  n2

Problem: 30 : If x, y, z are positive then prove that (x + y)(y + z)(z + x)

 64
Sol. Using the relation A.M.  H.M.

  (x + y) 4 .....(i)

similarly (y + z) 4 .....(ii)

(z + x)  4 .....(iii)

by (i), (ii) & (iii) (x + y)(y + z)(z + x)  64

Problem: 31 : If n > 0, prove that 2n > 1 + n

Sol. Using the relation A.M.  G.M. on the numbers 1, 2, 22, 23,..........., 2n–1 , we have
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 151

> (1.2. 22. 23. ......... .2n–1)1/n

Equality does not hold as all the numbers are not equal.

 >n  2n – 1 > n

 2n > 1 + n .
Problem: 32 : If x, y, z are positive and x + y + z = 7 then find greatest value of
x2 y3 z2.
Sol. Using the relation A.M.  G.M.

 1   432  x2 y3 z2
152 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 153
154 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 155
156 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 157
158 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 159
 160 SEQUENCE & SERIES
Self YOUR TURN-s :
(20) If a, b, c are real and distinct, then show that a 2 (1 + b2) + b2 (1 + c2) + c2 (1 + a2)
> 6abc
(21) Prove that 2.4.6.8.......2n < (n + 1)n. (n  N)

(22) If a, b, c, d are positive real numbers prove that >a+b+c

+d
(23) If x6 – 12x5 + ax4 + bx3 + cx2 + dx + 64 = 0 has positive roots then find a, b, c, d,
(24) If a, b > 0, prove that [(1 + a) (1 + b)]3 > 33 a2 b2

Ans. (23) a = 60, b = –160, c = 240, d = –192

Results :

(i) (ar ± br) = ar ± b r. (ii) k ar = k ar.

(iii) k = k + k + k +...............n times = nk; where k is a constant.

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

(v) r² = 12 + 22 + 32 +...........+ n2 =

(vi) r3 = 13 + 23 + 33 +...........+ n3 =
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 161

Problem: 33 : Find the sum of the series to n terms whose nth term is 3n + 2.

Sol. Sn = Tn = (3n + 2) = 3n + 2 = + 2n = (3n + 7)

Problem: 34 : Tk = k3 + 3k , then find .

Sol. = + = + = + (3n –1)

Method of difference for finding nth term :

Let u1, u2, u3 ........ be a sequence, such that u 2 – u1, u3 – u2, ......... is either an A.P. or a
G.P. then nth term un of this sequence is obtained as follows
S = u1 + u2 + u3 + ........... + un ................(i)
S= u1 + u2 + ........... + un–1 + un ................(ii)
(i) – (ii)  un = u1 + (u2 – u1) + (u3 – u2) + ........... + (un – un–1)
Where the series (u2 – u1) + (u3 – u2) + .......... + (un – un–1) is
 162 SEQUENCE & SERIES

either in A.P. or in G.P. then we can find un. So sum of series S =

Note : The above method can be generalised as follows :
Let u1, u2, u3, ......... be a given sequence.
The first differences are 1u1, 1u2, 1u3, ........ where 1u1 = u2 – u1, 1u2 = u3 – u2 etc.
The second differences are 2u1, 2u2, 2u3, ......., where 2u1 = 1u2 – 1u1, 2u2 = 1u3 –
1u2 etc.
This process is continued untill the k th differences ku1 , ku2 , ........ are obtained, where
the kth differences are all equal or they form a GP with common ratio different from 1.
Case - 1 : The kth differences are all equal.
In this case the nth term, un is given by
un = a0nk + a1nk–1 + .....+ ak , where a0, a1, ...., ak are calculated by using first 'k + 1'
terms of the sequence.
Case - 2 : The kth differences are in GP with common ratio r (r  1)
The nth term is given by un =  rn – 1 + a0 nk–1 + a1 nk–2 + ..... + ak–1
Problem: 35 : Find the nth term of the series 1, 3, 8, 16, 27, 41, ..........
Sol. s = 1 + 3 + 8 + 16 + 27 + 41 + ...... Tn .....(i)
s= 1 + 3 + 8 + 16 + 27 .......Tn–1 + Tn .....(ii)
(i) – (ii)
Tn = 1 + 2 + 5 + 8 + 11 + ....... (Tn – Tn – 1)

Tn = 1 + [2 × 2 + (n – 2)3] = [3n2 – 5n + 4]
Problem: 36 : Find the sum to n terms of the series 5, 7, 13, 31, 85 + ......
Sol. Successive difference of terms are in G.P. with common ratio 3.
Tn = a(3)n –1 + b
a+b=5
3a + b = 7  a = 1, b = 4
Tn = 3 n – 1 + 4
Sn = Tn = (3n – 1 + 4) = (1 + 3 + 32 + ...... + 3n – 1) + 4n

[3n + 8n – 1]
SEQUENCE & SERIES 163
164 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 165

Method of difference for finding sn :

If possible express rth term as difference of two terms as tr = ± (f(r) – f(r ± 1)). This can
be explained with the help of examples given below.
t1 = f(1) – f(0),
t2 = f(2) – f(1),

tn = f(n) – f(n-1)
 Sn = f(n) – f(0)
166 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 167
168 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 169
170 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 171
172 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 173
174 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 175
176 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 177

Problem: 37 : Find the sum of n-terms of the series 2.5 + 5.8 + 8.11 + ...........

Sol. Tr = (3r – 1) (3r + 2) = 9r2 + 3r – 2

Sn = =9 +3 –

=9 +3 – 2n
= 3n(n + 1)2 – 2n

Problem: 38 : Sum to n terms of the series + +

+ .........
Sol. Let Tr be the general term of the series

Tr =

So Tr = =
 Sn =  Tr = T1 + T2 + T3 + .......... + Tn

= =

Problem: 39 : Sum to n terms of the series +............

 178 SEQUENCE & SERIES

Sol. Tn = =

=
Problem: 40 : Find the general term and sum of n terms of the series
1 + 5 + 19 + 49 + 101 + 181 + 295 + .........
Sol. The sequence of difference between successive term 4, 14, 30, 52, 80 .....
The sequence of the second order difference is 10, 16, 22, 28, ...... clearly it is an A.P>
so let nth term
Tn = an3 + bn2 + cn + d
a+b+c+d =1 ....(i)
8a + 4b + 2c + d = 5 ....(ii)
27a + 9b + 3c + d = 19 ....(iii)
64a + 16b + 4c + d = 49 ....(iv)
from (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv)
a = 1, b = –1, c = 0, d = 1  Tn = n3 – n2 + 1

sn = (n3 – n2 + 1 ) = – +n= +n
Self YOUR TURN-s :

(25) Sum to n terms the following series

(i) +...........
(ii) 1 + (1 + 2) + (1 + 2 + 3) + (1 + 2 + 3 + 4) ........
(iii) 4 + 14 + 30 + 52 + 82 + 114 + ..........

(26) If = (n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) then find

Ans. (25) (i) (ii) (iii) n(n + 1)2 (26)

 SEQUENCE & SERIES 179

1. Find the sum to n terms of the series 1 ×2 ×3+2 ×3 × 4 +3 × 4 ×5+ ⋯.

2. Find the sum of the series 12 +32 +52 +⋯ to n terms.

3. Find the sum of the series 313 +323 +⋯+503.

4. Find the sum 12 + ( 12 +22 ) + ( 12 +22 +32 ) +⋯ up to 22nd term.

5. The sum of the first n terms of the series 12 +2× 22 +32 +¿ 2 × 42 +52 +2 ×62 +… is n ¿ ¿, when n is even.
Then find the sum when n is odd.

6. Find the sum 112 −12+122 −22+13 2−32 +…+20 2−102.

7. Find the sum 3+7+ 14+24 +37+… 20 terms.

n n j
8. Find the sum ∑ j=1 ∑ i=1 i× 3 .

If for sequence ¿ a n> ¿, sum of n terms, Sn=2n +3 n then find the sum ∑1 ≤ i< j ≤ 10 a i a j .
2
9.

()
j
1
10. Find the value of ∑1 ≤ i< j i× .
2
Answers

n(n+1)(n+ 2)(n+3)
1.
4
n(2 n−1)(2 n+1)
2.
3
3. 1409400
4. 23276
2
n (n+1)
5.
2
6. 1400
7. 4240

8.
3 n ( 3n−1 ) (n+1)
4
9. 23145
10. 2
180 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 181
182 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 183
184 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 185
186 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 187
188 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 189
190 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 191
192 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 193
194 SEQUENCE & SERIES
SEQUENCE & SERIES 195
196 SEQUENCE & SERIES
 SEQUENCE & SERIES 197

Self YOUR TURN-s :

1. Find the sum of infinite series

1 1 1
+ + + ….
1× 3× 5 3 ×5 ×7 5 ×7 × 9
n n n 1
2. If ∑ r=1 T r= (n+ 1)(n+ 2)(n+3), then find ∑ r=1 .
8 Tr
2
∞ 3 n +1
3. Find the sum ∑ n=2 3.
( n2−1 )
20 r
∑ r=1
4. Find the sum 1.
r4 +
4
5. Find the sum
3 4 1000
+ +…+ .
1!+ 2! +3! 2 !+3 !+ 4 ! 998 !+ 999 !+1000 !

6. Let S=
√ 1 + √ 2 +¿
1+ √ 1+ √ 2 1+ √ 2+ √ 3
√ 3 +…+ √n =10Then find the value of n.
1+ √ 3+ √ 4 1+ √ n+ √ n+1
 198 SEQUENCE & SERIES
2 3 20
1× 2 2× 2 3 ×2 20 ×2 .
7. Find the sum + + + …+
3! 4! 5! 22 !
∞ r−2
8. Find the sum ∑ r=1 .
(r + 2)(r + 3)(r +4)
9. Find the sum of the series 1+2(1−x)+3(1−x)(1−2 x )
+…+ n(1−x )(1−2 x)(1−3 x)…(1−(n−1)x ).
Answers

1
1.
12
n(n+3)
2.
2(n+1)(n+2)
9
3.
16
840
4.
841
1 1
5. −
2 1000 !
6. n=24
21
7. 1−
2
22 !
1
8.
12
1
9. [1−(1−x)(1−2 x)…(1−nx)]
x