Arithmetic & Geometric Progressions

Need of AP
● Banking sector (saving scheme)
● A.P. is used when someone is waiting for a cab. A.P. is
employed to forecast any sequence. They can forecast
when the next cab will arrive if the traffic is going at a
consistent speed.
● Computing Cab/taxi fare where operation cost is based on
Km. scheme.
● A.P. is used in checking accounts online is a fundamental
application of daily arithmetic.
 What is a sequence?

 Sequence – list of numbers

 A sequence is identified with the notation
 A number in the sequence is notated as a1 , a2 ,

a3 …..

 It can also be denoted as aj [j = 1, 2, 3…….]

 If the sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,…, then aj+1 = aj

+1
 Series

• The series can be formed by adding the terms in

a sequence
• Let an = nth term of the series, then a1 + a2 + … +

an is a series of n terms

• Sn = Sum of n term of the series

 Types of sequence

 Finite Sequence - If the number of elements in a sequence is

countable
 The total number of elements in that sequence is known as the length
 1, 2, 3, 4, …, 20 - The first number in the sequence is 1 and the last
number in the sequence is 20. Hence, it is finite
 Infinite Sequence - If the number of elements presented is not
countable
 1, 2, 3, 4, …, 20, …. The first number in the sequence is 1 and the
last number in the sequence is not defined. Hence, it is infinite
 Kinds of sequence (Arithmetic Sequence)

 Consider any sequence given as a1 , a2 , a3 …..

 The first term can be any value in this sequence (a1)

 Subsequent terms are defined as follows:
 a2 = a1 + d; a3 = a2 + d (d: common difference between
two consecutive terms)
 a3 = a2 + d = a1 + d + d = a1 + 2d

 an = a1 + (n-1)*d
 Arithmetic Progression (AP)

 A progression refers to a sequence where the

successive terms indicate the growth of some
characteristics.
 An arithmetic progression is:
 a sequence whose terms increase/decrease by a
constant value called common difference (d)
 The standard form of an AP is a, a + d, a + 2d, … ,
 a + (n − 1)d,…
 Progression
 Let us consider the following progressions:
 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 . . . and 2, 6, 8, 12 . . .
 It can be observed here that each of these two series
shares some or the other common properties.
 If the terms of a sequence are written under same specific
conditions then the sequence is called a progression.
 With respect to our course module, we will confine
ourselves only to the following standard series of
progression:
 Arithmetic progression
 Geometric progression
 Arithmetic progression (A.P.)

Definition

If in any progression consecutive difference between any two

terms is same, then that progression is said to be an arithmetic
progression (A.P.)

e.g.; a , a + d , a + 2 d , a + 3 d . . . a + ( n − 1) d
i.e. Tn = a + (n − 1)d. Tn is the last term.

Note that d = T2 − T1 = T3 − T2 = T4 − T3 = . . .
 Properties of an AP

 If a constant is added to each term of an AP, the

resulting sequence is also an AP
 If a constant is subtracted from each term of an
AP, the resulting sequence is an AP
 If each term of an AP is multiplied by a constant,
the resulting sequence is also an AP
 If each term of an AP is divided by a non-zero
constant, the resulting sequence is also an AP
Example

• 1, 3, 5, …….. (Series 1)
• 10, 7, 4, ……… (Series 2)
• For series 1, an = a1 + (n-1)*d

• a5 = 1 + (5-1)*2 = 9

• For series 2, an = a1 + (n-1)*d

• a5 = 10 + (5-1)*(-3) = -2
 Sum of Arithmetic Progression (AP)

• Sn = Sum upto n-terms

• Sn = a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + ……..+ (a + (n-1)d)

• Sn = (a + a + a + ... – n terms) + (d + 2d + ......+ (n − 1)d)

• Sn = na + d (1 + 2 + ......+ (n − 1))

• Sn = na + d ((n − 1) (n/2)) (we know that 1 + 2 + .....+ n = n(n +

1)/2)
• Sn = (n/2) [2a + (n − 1)d] = (n/2) [a + a + (n − 1)d]

• Sn = (n/2) [(first term) + (nth term)]

 Sum of an A.P.
If Sn is the sum of first n terms of the A.P. a, a + d, a + 2d . . .
i.e. If Sn = a + (a + d) + (a + 2 d) + . . . up to n terms
Then,
Sn =

where
Example

• Given series: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,……..

• Find the sum of first five terms
• Sn = (n/2) [2a + (n − 1)d]

• S5 = (5/2) [2*1 + (5 − 1)*2] = (5/2) [10] = 25

• Sn = (n/2) [(first term) + (nth term)] = (5/2) [1+9] =

25
 Arithmetic mean

• Lets us suppose two numbers a and b are given

• We want to insert a number A, in between a and b, such that
a, A, b forms an AP
• b – A = A – a ⇒ A = (a +b) / 2
• Let a1 , a2 , a3 ….., an be n numbers between a and b, such

that a, a1 , a2 , a3 ….., an, b is an AP

• Number of terms = n+2
• b = a + (n+2-1)*d ⇒ d = (b – a) / (n + 1)
 Arithmetic mean

If three numbers a, b, c are in A.P., then b is called the arithmetic mean

between
a and c .
1. The arithmetic mean between two numbers a and b is .
2. A1 , A2 . . . An are said to be n arithmetic means between two numbers a
and b .
3. If a, A1, A2, ……, An, b are in A.P. and if d is the common difference of
this A.P., then b = a + ( n + 2 − 1) d ⇒ d =
A1 = a + d = a +
A2 = a + 2d = a + 2
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
An = a + nd = a +n
Example

Which term of the A.P. 3,8,13 …is 78?

 Solution
Here an = a + (n – 1) d = 78

a= 3, d = 8- 3 = 5

Therefore,

3 + (n -1) (5) = 78

(n-1) * 5 = 78 – 3 = 75

n – 1 = 75/5 = 15

n = 15 + 1 = 16

Hence a 16 (sixteenth term) is 78 .

Example

• Suppose X repays a loan of Rs 3250 by paying Rs 20 in

the first month and then increases the payment by Rs 15
every month. How long will he take to clear his loan?
Solution

 Given:
 Total loan amount (Sn ) = 3250
 Payment of the first installment (a) = 20
 Increment (d) = 15
 Sn = (n/2) [2a + (n − 1)d]
 3250 = (n/2) [40 + (n-1)15] ⇒ n = 20, -21.67
 We will not consider n = -21.67
Example

The rate of monthly salary of a person is increased

annually in AP. It is known that he was drawing Rs 400
a month during the 11th year of his service and Rs 760
during the 29th year
 Find his starting salary and the rate of annual
increment
 What should be his salary at the time of retirement at
the completion of 36 years of service?
Solution

 Given
 When n = 11, t11 = 400; t11 = 400 = a + (11 − 1)d (1)

 When n = 29, t29 = 760; t29 = 760 = a + (29 − 1)d (2)

 Solving (1) and (2), we get,
 a = 200; d = 20
 Next, we calculate t36:

 t36 = a + (36 − 1)d = 200 + 35 × 20 = 900

Practice Questions

1. Two posts are offered to a person. The first carries a

starting salary of Rs 1000 per month and an annual
increment of Rs 40. The second carries a starting salary
Rs 800 and an annual increment of Rs 50. Assuming that
he has worked for 25 years, which job he has to select?

2. The sum of n terms of two arithmetic progressions are in

the ratio 5n + 4 : 9n + 6. Find the ratio of their 18th terms
 Need of GP

● The geometric mean is used in finance to calculate average

growth rates and is referred to as the compounded annual
growth rate. Ex.- A stock that grows by 05% in first year,
declines by 10% in year two, and then grows by 20% in year
three. 
● Geometric progression is commonly used in calculating the
interest earned.
● Geometric progression helps to calculate the size of
exponential population growth.
 Geometric Sequence

 Consider a sequence notated as a1 , a2 , a3 …..

 The first term can be any value (a1)

 Subsequent terms are defined as follows:
 a2 = a1 × r; r is known as common ratio

 a3 = a2 × r = a1 × r × r = a1r2

 an = a1r(n−1)
GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION
 Geometric progression (G.P.)

Definition
If in any sequence, consecutive ratio between any
two terms is same it is said to be a geometric
progression (G.P.).
e.g. a, ar, ar2, ar3,...., arn − 1
∴ Tn = arn − 1
where
 Geometric Progression (GP)

• A geometric progression is
• (i) a sequence and
• (ii) whose terms increase/decrease by a
constant ratio called the common ratio (r)
• The standard form of a GP is a, ar, ar2 , ... ,
arn−1 , ...
Example

• 2, 4, 8, 16 ⇒ Common ratio = 2
• ⇒ Common ratio = 1/3
• 2, -4, 8, -16 ⇒ Common ratio = -2
 Sum of n terms of a GP (Sn)

• Sn = a + ar + ar2 + .......+ arn−1

• Multiply Eq. (1) by r, rSn = ar + ar2 + ar3 + .......+

arn
• Subtracting Eq. (2) from Eq. (1) gives
• (1 − r) Sn = a − arn = a(1 − rn)
 Sum of n terms of a GP (Sn)

 When r > 1,
 When r < 1,
 When r = 1, GP becomes a, a, ... , n times i.e., Sn
= na
 Sum of n terms of a GP (Sn)

 When r > 1,
 When r < 1,
 When r = 1, GP becomes a, a, ... , n times i.e., Sn
= na
 Sum of a G.P.
If Sn is the sum of first n terms of the G.P. a, ar, ar2, ar3,...., arn − 1
i.e. If Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + ...+ arn − 1
Then,
Sn =

We can take the above Sn formula for finite progression and

Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + ...+ upto infinity

∴ Sn = ; for -1<r<1
Example

Given the following series: 2, 4, 8,…….5 terms

1. Find the 5th term of the series

2. Find the sum of the series
Solution

 nth term of a GP is given as: an = a1r(n−1)

 a1 = 2; r =2

 a5 = 2*2(5−1) = 32
 Sum of n terms is given as: r > 1,
Example

An item is purchased for Rs 10,000

(a) If the depreciation is 9% p.a., find the value of
the machine after 10 years
(b) If the depreciation is 6% p.a. for the first four
years and 9% for the next six years, what is the
value of the machine?
Solution

 Given: Cost of an item = Rs 10,000 Rate of

depreciation (r) = 0.09 and n = 10
 The depreciated value of the machine forms a GP
 an = a1r(n−1) = 10,000 (1 – 0.09)n-1

 Putting n=10, a10 = 4279.30

 The value of the machine after 10 years is 4279.30.
Solution

 Rate of depreciation upto 4 years (r) = 0.06

 Rate of depreciation from 5th year to 10th year (r) = 0.09
 The value of the machine after 4 years = a [1 − r] 4−1
=
10,000 (0.830584) = 8305.84
 The value of the machine after 10 years = (value after 4
years) × (1 − 0.09)6−1 = 8305.84 [1 − 0.09]6−1 = 5185.50
 Hence, the value of the machine after 10 years is 5185.50
Example
 Geometric mean

If three non-zero numbers a, b, c are in G.P. then b is

called the geometric mean between a and c
i.e. =
∴ b2 = ac
or, b =
 Geometric means

• Let us consider two real numbers x and y

• We are interested to insert a number A between x
and y, such that x, A, y form a GP
• This means ⇒ A2 = xy ⇒
 Geometric means

• Let G1 , G2 , G3 ….., Gn be n numbers between a

and b, such that a, G1, G2, G3 ….., Gn, b is an GP

• b = ar(n+2-1)
AM and GM
Example

 If AM and GM of two numbers a and b are 10

and 8 respectively, find the two numbers
 Key points about A.P. and G.P.

 Three non-zero numbers in a, b, c are in G.P. if

b2 = ac.

 A sequence (or a series) is both an A.P. as well as

a G.P. if it is a constant sequence i.e. if all the
terms are equal.
 Tips on A.P. and G.P.

It is convenient to take
1. Three numbers in A.P. as a − d, a, a + d
2. Four numbers in A.P. as a − 3 d , a − d , a + d , a
+3d
3. Three numbers in G.P. as,
4. Five numbers in G.P. as
Some important power series

 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ………………+ n =
 12 + 22 + 32 + 42 + ………………+ n2
 13 + 23 + 33 + 43 + ………………+ n3
Problem 1

● Ram gives his son Rs. 100 on one day, Rs. 50 on

the second day, Rs. 25 on third day and so on.
What will be total amount given by Ram to his son
starting from the first day, if he lives forever?
Problem

The arithmetic mean between two numbers is

75 and their geometric mean is 21. Find the
numbers.
Let the required numbers are ‘a’ and ‘b’.
We have = 75 ⇒ (a + b)/2 = 150 ....(i)
Also = 21 or (ab)1/2 = 441
We know that (a-b)2 = (a+b)2 - 4ab = 1502 - 4 x 441 =
22500 -1764 = 20736
⇒ a – b = 144 ….(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii), we get 2a = 294 ⇒ a = 147
(i) ⇒ b = 3.
So the numbers are 147 and 3.
Practice Questions

• A firm invests Rs 50,000 each year in a research project which

yields 10% p.a. as a rate of return. What is the total value of the
investment after 10 years?
• The annual increase of population of a city is found to be 4%
approximately. The population of the city was 25 lakhs at the
end of 1995. What will be the population at the end of 2005?
• Write down the GP, whose fifth term is 80 and tenth term is
2560.
• Insert two numbers between 3 and 81, such that resulting
sequence is a GP