Session MPTCP04

Sequences and Series

Session Objectives
1. Finite and infinite sequences
2. Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) definition, nth term
3. Sum of n terms of an A.P.
4. Arithmetic Mean (A.M.) and
insertion of n A.M.s between two
given numbers.
5. Geometric Progression (G.P.) definition, nth term
6. Sum of n terms of a G.P.

Sequence a Definition
A sequence is a function whose
domain is the set N of natural
numbers.

a1, a2, a3, . . ., an, . . .

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Finite and Infinite Sequences

Finite sequence :
a a1, a2, a3, . . ., an
Infinite sequence :
a a1, a2, a3, . . ., an, . . .

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Series a Definition
If
a1, a2, a3, . . ., an, . . .
is a sequence,
the expression
a1+a2+a3+ . . . +an+ . . .
is called a series.

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Arithmetic Progression
A sequence is called an arithmetic
progression (A.P.) if the difference
between any term and the previous
term is constant.

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The constant difference, generally denoted by d is called the

common difference.
a1 = a

First term

a2 = a+d
a3 = a+d+d

= a+2d

a4 = a+d+d+d
an = a+d+d+d+...

= a+3d
= a+(n-1)d

General Term

Is a Given Sequence an A.P.?

Algorithm to determine whether a
given sequence is an A.P. :
Step I

Obtain general term an

Step II

Determine an+1 by

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replacing n by n+1 in the general term

Step III

Find an+1-an. If this is independent of n, the

given sequence is an A.P.

Problem Solving Tip

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Choose Well!!!!
#

Terms

Common diff.

a-d, a, a+d

a-3d, a-d, a+d, a+3d

a-2d, a-d, a, a+d, a+2d

a-5d, a-3d, a-d, a+d, a+3d, a+5d

d
2d
d
2d

Illustrative problem
Q. If sum of three numbers in A.P. is
45, and the second number is
thrice the first number, find the
three numbers.
A. Let the numbers be a-d, a, a+d
Given that (a-d)+a+(a+d) = 45
3a = 45 a = 15
Also, a = 3(a-d) 3d = 30
d = 10
the three numbers are 5, 15, 25

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Important Properties of A.P.s

If A a, a+d, . . ., a+(n-1)d
adding constant k to each term,

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we get,
A a+k, a+d+k, . . ., a+(n-1)d+k
A is also an A.P. with the same common difference.

Important Properties of A.P.s

If A a, a+d, . . ., a+(n-1)d
multiplying each term by non-zero
constant k,
A ak, ak+dk, . . ., ak+(n-1)dk
A is also an A.P. with common
difference dk

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Important Properties of A.P.s

ak+an-(k-1) = a1+an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider A 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Important Properties of A.P.s

ak+an-(k-1) = a1+an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider A 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
a3+a8 = 22

Important Properties of A.P.S

ak+an-(k-1) = a1+an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider A 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
a3+a8 = 22

= a5+a6 = 22

Important Properties of A.P.s

ak+an-(k-1) = a1+an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider A 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20
a3+a8 = 22

= a5+a6 = 22

= a1+a10 = 22

Important Properties of A.P.s

a, b, c are in A.P. 2b = a+c

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Important Properties of A.P.s

A sequence is an A.P.
an = An+B, A, B are constants.

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A is the common difference.

Proof :
an = a+(n-1)d
or, an = dn+(a-d)
or, an = An+B, where A is the common difference

Important Properties of A.P.s

If A a, a+d, . . ., a+(n-1)d
take every third term,
A a, a+3d, a+6d, . . . . . . . . . .
A is also an A.P.

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Sum of n Terms of an A.P.

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Sn = a 1

+(a1+d)+ . . .+{a1+(n-2)d}+{a1+(n-1)d}

Also,
Sn = {a1+(n-1)d}+{a1+(n-2)d}+{a1+d}+. . .+a1
Adding,
2Sn = n{2a1+(n-1)d}
Sn

n
2a1 n 1 d

Sum of n Terms of an A.P.

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n
Sn 2a1 n 1 d
2

This can also be written as :

n
a1 a1 n 1 d
2
n
Sn a1 an
2
Sn

Sn

n
First Term Last Term

Property of Sum of n Terms of an

A.P.
A sequence is an A.P.
Sn = An2+Bn,
where A, B are constants.
2A is the common difference.
n
2a n 1 d

2
d
d
Rearranging, Sn n2 a n
2
2

We know that, Sn

Or, Sn = An2+Bn.

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Arithmetic Mean
A is the A.M. of two numbers a and
b
a, A, and b are in A.P.
A-a = b-A
2A = a+b
ab
A
2

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Arithmetic Mean a Definition

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If n terms A1, A2, A3, . . . An are

inserted between two numbers a
and b such that a, A1, A2, A3, . . . ,
An, b form an A.P.,

then A1, A2, A3, . . . , An are called arithmetic means

(A.M.s) of a and b.

-6
a

-4
A1

-2
A2

0
A3

2
A4

4
A5

6
b

Arithmetic Mean Common

Difference

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Let n A.M.s be inserted between two

numbers a and b
The A.P. thus formed will have (n+2)
terms.
Let the common difference be d
Now b = a+(n+2-1)d = a+(n+1)d
ba
ba
d
; Am a m
n1
n1

-6
a

-4
A1

-2
A2

0
A3

2
A4

4
A5

6
b

Property of A.M.s
Let n A.M.s A1, A2, A3, . . ., An be
inserted between a and b.
Then,
A1 A2 A3 ... An nA n

ab
2

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Illustrative Problem
Q. Insert 3 A.M.s between -4 and 3
A. Let the required A.M.s be A1,
A2 and A3.

34 7

Common difference d = 4
4
A1 4

7
9

4
4

14
1

4
2
21 5
A3 4

4
4
A2 4

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Geometric Progression
Consider a family where every
female of each generation has

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exactly 2 daughters.
It is then possible to determine the
number of females in each generation
if the generation number is known.
1st Generation

1 female

2nd Generation

2 females

3rd Generation

4 females

Such a progression is a Geometric Progression (G.P.)

Geometric Progression
A sequence is called a geometric
progression (G.P.) if the ratio
between any term and the previous
term is constant.

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The constant ratio, generally denoted by r is called the

common ratio.
a1 = a

First term

a2 = ar
a3 = ar2
a4 = ar3
an = ar(n-1)

General Term

Problem Solving Tip

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Choose Well!!!!
#

Terms

Common ratio

a/r, a, ar

a/r3, a/r, ar, ar3

r2

a/r2, a/r, a, ar, ar2

a/r5, a/r3, a/r, ar, ar3, ar5

r2

Important Properties of G.P.s

If G a, ar, ar2, . . ., arn-1
multiplying each term by nonzero constant k,
G ka, kar, kar2, . . ., karn-1
G is also a G.P. with the same
common ratio.

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Important Properties of G.P.s

If G a, ar, ar2, . . ., arn-1
taking reciprocal of each term,
G'

1 1
1
1
,
,
,
.
.
.,
a ar ar2
arn 1

G is also a G.P. with a reciprocal

common ratio.

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Important Properties of G.P.s

If G a, ar, ar2, . . ., arn-1
raising each term to power k,
G ak, akrk, akr2k, . . ., akr(n-1)k
G is also a G.P. with common
ratio rk.

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Important Properties of G.P.s

akan-(k-1) = a1an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider G 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512

Important Properties of G.P.s

akan-(k-1) = a1an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider G 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512
a3a8 = 512

Important Properties of G.P.s

akan-(k-1) = a1an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider G 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512
a3a8 = 512

= a5a6 = 512

Important Properties of G.P.s

akan-(k-1) = a1an
k = 2, 3, 4, . . . (n-1)

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Example :
Consider G 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512
a3a8 = 512

= a5a6 = 512

= a1a10 = 512

Important Properties of G.P.s

a, b, c are in G.P. b2 = ac

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Important Properties of G.P.s

If G a, ar, ar2, . . ., arn-1
take every third term,
G a, ar3, ar6, . . .
G is also a G.P.

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Important Properties of G.P.s

a1, a2, a3, . . . , an is a G.P. of
positive terms
loga1, loga2, loga3, . . . logan is an
A.P.

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Sum of n Terms of a G.P.

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Sn = a+ar+ar2+ar3+ . . .+ar(n-1)

(i)

Multiplying by r, we get,
rSn = ar+ar2+ar3+ . . .+ar(n-1)+arn ...(ii)
Subtracting (i) from (ii), (r-1)Sn = a(rn-1)
Sn

r 1

Class Exercise Q1.

Q. If log 2, log (2x-1) and log (2x+3)
are in A.P., find x.

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Class Exercise Q1.

Q. If log 2, log (2x-1) and log (2x+3) are in
A.P., find x.

A. Given that
log(2x-1)-log2 = log(2x+3)-log(2x-1)
2x 1
2x 3
log
log x

2 1
22x 2x 1 1 2x 1 6
22x 4.2x 5 0

5 Q 2 cannot be negative

2x 5 2x 1 0
2x
x

log5
log2 5
log2

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Class Exercise Q2.

Q. Show that there is no infinite A.P.
which consists only of distinct
primes.

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Class Exercise Q2.

Q. Show that there is no infinite A.P. which

consists only of distinct primes.

A. Let, if possible, there be an A.P.

consisting only of distinct primes :
a1, a2, a3, . . ., an, . . .

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an = a1+(n-1)d
aa1 1 a1 a1 1 1 d
aa1 1 a1(1 d)
Thus, (a1+1)th term is a multiple of a1.
Thus, no such A.P. is possible.
Q.E.D.

Class Exercise Q3.

n
n 1 Q , where Sn denotes
2
the sum of the first n terms of an
A.P., then common difference is :

Q. Sn nP

(a) P+Q

(b) 2P+3Q

(c) 2Q

(d) Q
(J.E.E. West Bengal 1994)

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Class Exercise Q3.

n
Q. Sn nP n 1 Q , where Sn denotes

2
the sum of the first n terms of an A.P.,
then common difference is :
(a) P+Q

(b) 2P+3Q

(c) 2Q

(d) Q
(J.E.E. West Bengal 1994)

A. an = Sn - Sn-1
n 1

n
an nP n 1 Q n 1 P
n 2 Q
2
2
an P n 1 Q
d an an1

d P n 1 Q P n 2 Q
Ans : (d).
d Q

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Class Exercise Q4.

Q. If 12th term of an A.P. is -13 and the
sum of the first four terms is 24,
what is the sum of first 10 terms?

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Class Exercise Q4.

Q. If 12th term of an A.P. is -13 and the sum
of the first four terms is 24, what is the
sum of first 10 terms?

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A. Given that,
a12 = a1+11d = -13

. . . (i)

S4 = 2(2a1+3d) = 24
. . . (ii)
Solving (i) and (ii) simultaneously, we get,
a1 = 9, d = -2
S10 = 5(2a1+9d) = 5(18-18) = 0

Class Exercise Q5.

Q. Find the value of n so that
an1 bn1
an bn
be an A.M. between a and b (a, b
are positive).

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Class Exercise Q5.

Q. Find the value of n so that

an1 bn1
an bn
be an A.M. between a and b (a, b are
positive).

A. Given that,
an1 bn1
an bn

ab
2

an1 bn1 anb abn

Dividing throughout by bn+1, we get,
n 1

n
a a

1
b
b

a
a

b
b

a
1
b

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Class Exercise Q5.

Q. Find the value of n so that

an1 bn1
an bn
be an A.M. between a and b (a, b are
positive).
n

a
a a

1 1
b
b b
n

a
a
a

1 Q a b 1 1 0

b
b
b

n=0

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Class Exercise Q6.

Q. 53 A.M.s are inserted between 2 and
98. Find the 27th A.M.

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Class Exercise Q6.

Q. 53 A.M.s are inserted between 2 and 98.
Find the 27th A.M.

A. Common difference
b a 98 2 48

n 1 53 1 27
A 27 a 27d 2 27

48
50
27

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Class Exercise Q7.

Q. If the 3rd term of a G.P. is 4, what is
the product of the first five terms?

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Class Exercise Q7.

Q. If the 3rd term of a G.P. is 4, what is the
product of the first five terms?

A. Let the first 5 terms of the G.P. be :

a a
2
,
,
a,
ar,
ar
r2 r
Required product = a5
= (a3)5
=45

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Class Exercise Q8.

Q. If the 4th, 7th, 10th term of a G.P. are
p, q, r respectively, then
(a) p2 = q2+r2

(b) q2 = pr

(c) p2 = qr

(d) pqr+pq+q = 0
(M.N.R. 1995)

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Class Exercise Q8.

Q. If the 4th, 7th, 10th term of a G.P. are p, q,

r respectively, then
(a) p2 = q2+r2

(b) q2 = pr

(c) p2 = qr(d) pqr+pq+q = 0

(M.N.R. 1995)

A. Let the first term of the G.P. be

and common ratio be .
p = 3, q = 6, r = 9
Now, pr = 212
= (6)2
= q2
Ans : (b)

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Class Exercise Q9.

Q. Find the sum to n terms of the
sequence 6, 66, 666, . . .

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Class Exercise Q9.

Q. Find the sum to n terms of the sequence

6, 66, 666, . . .

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A. Sn = (6+66+666+ . . .[n terms])

6
Sn 9 99 999 . . . n terms
9
6
Sn 10 1 100 1 1000 1 . . . n terms
9
6
Sn
10 102 103 . . . n terms n
9
n

10
1
6
Sn 10
n
9
10 1

Sn

6 10

n
10

9 9

Class Exercise Q10.

Q. How many terms of the G.P.
2
1 1
3
, , , ,...
9
3 2
4
55
are needed to give the sum
?
72

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Class Exercise Q10.

Q. How many terms of the G.P.

2
1 1
3
, , , ,...
9
3 2
4
55
are needed to give the sum
?
72

A. Common ratio
1

3
3
2
2
9
Let the required number of terms be n.

n
3
1
2 3 n
55 2 2
2

Sn

3
72 9 1
9 5 2

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Class Exercise Q10.

Q. How many terms of the G.P.

2
1 1
3
, , , ,...
9
3 2
4
55
are needed to give the sum
?
72
n
55 2 2 3

1
72 9 5 2

3
55 9
5
243
1

72 2
2
32
2
3

3

2

2
n=5

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Thank you