02

20 CDS Pathfinder

SEQUENCE
AND SERIES
Usually (1-2) questions have been asked from this chapter. Questions are mostly based on
relation between arithmatic geometric and harmonic mean.

SEQUENCE
A set of numbers arranged in a definite order according to some definite rule is called a sequence.
e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8, ... is a sequence.

SERIES
If a1 , a 2 , a 3 ,... a n is a sequence, then the expression a1 + a 2 + a 3 + ... + a n is called the series.
The series is said to be finite or infinite depending upon the last term is given or not. e.g.
(i) a1 , a 2 , a 3 , . . . , a n is a finite sequence and is denoted as { a k } n .
k=1

(ii) a1 , a 2 , a 3 , a 4 , . . is an infinite sequence and is denoted by { a n } ∞

n = 1 or simply { a n }.

Here, a1 is called the first term and in case of finite sequence a n is called the last term.
e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8, … , 100 is a finite sequence.
1, 2, 3, 4, … is an infinite sequence.

PROGRESSION
Sequence following certain patterns are called progressions.
e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, … is a progression, here each term is increasing by 1.

Arithmetical Progression (AP)

An arithmetic progression is a sequence in which the difference between any term and its preceding
term is constant throughout. The constant ‘d’ is called the common difference. The first term of an AP
is represented by ‘a’.
MATHEMATICS Sequence and Series 21

If an AP has first term = a and common difference = d, a(r n − 1)

then the general form of an AP is
• Sum of the n terms of a GP is S n = ,
r −1
a, a + d , a + 2d , a + 3d , . . . , a + ( n − 1) d a(1 − r n )
if r > 1 and S n = , if r < 1.
• nth term of an AP is Tn = a + ( n − 1) d . 1−r
Sum of the first n terms of an AP is a
• • Sum of infinite terms of a GP is S n = .
n n 1−r
S n = [ 2a + ( n − 1) d ] or S n = [ a + l ]
2 2
where, l = last term Geometric Mean (GM)
If three terms are in GP, then the middle term is called
EXAMPLE 1. Find the sum of 11 terms of the geometric mean of the other two. If a, b and c are in
−7, − 2, 3, 8 K . GP, then b is the GM of a and c.
a. 200 b. 198 c. 326 d. 137
Let a and b be two numbers and G be the GM between
Sol. d. Here, a = −7, l = −7 + (10 × 5) = 43 them. Then, a, G, b are in GP, G = ab, a > 0, b > 0.
 a + l  −7 + 43
∴ S 11 = n  = 11×  
 2  2  EXAMPLE 3. If the 4th, 10th and 16th terms of a GP
36 are x, y and z respectively, then x, y , z are in
= 11× = 198
2 a. AP b. GP
c. AGP d. HP
Arithmetic Mean (AM) Sol. b. Let the first term and common ratio be a and r,
When three terms are in AP, then the middle term is respectively.
called arithmetic mean of the other two. Given, T4 = x ⇒ ar 4 − 1 = x ⇒ ar 3 = x …(i)
10 − 1 9
If a, b and c are in AP, then b is AM of a and c. T10 = y ⇒ ar = y ⇒ ar = y …(ii)
Let a and b be two numbers and M be the AM between T16 = z ⇒ ar 16 − 1 = z ⇒ ar 15 = z …(iii)
a+b
them. Then, a, M, b are in AP, M = . On multiplying Eq. (i), by Eq. (iii), we get
2
ar 3 × ar 15 = xz ⇒ a2r 18 = xz
EXAMPLE 2. Find the arithmetic mean (AM) ⇒ ( ar 9 ) 2 = xz ⇒ y 2 = xz [from Eq. (i)]
between 3 and 9. Hence, x, y and z are in GP.
a. 4 b. 6
c. 8 d. None of these Harmonic Progression (HP)
3 + 9 12 A sequence is said to be harmonic progression (HP). If
Sol. b. The arithmetic mean is = = 6.
2 2 the reciprocals of its terms are in arithmetic progression
So, 3, 6, 9 are in AP. (AP).
1 1 1
Geometric Progression e.g. The sequence, 1, , , … is an HP because the
3 5 7
A geometric progression is a progression of numbers,
sequence 1, 3, 5, 7 … is an AP.
whose first term is non-zero and each of the term is
1 1 1 1
obtained by multiplying its preceding term by a If a1 , a 2 , a 3 , . . ., a n are in HP, then , , ,...,
constant quantity. This constant quantity is called the a1 a 2 a 3 an
common ratio of the GP. are in AP.
Thus, if t 1 ,t 2 and t 3 are in GP, then common ratio 1
• nth term of an HP is T n =
Second term t 2 1  1 1
r= = + ( n − 1) − 
First term t1 a1  a 2 a1 

If ‘a’ is the first term and ‘r’ is the common ratio, then
GP can be written as a, ar , ar 2 , ar 3 , …, ar n−1 = ( a ≠ 0 )
Harmonic Mean (HM)
If three terms are in HP, then the middle term is called
• n th term of a GP is Tn = ar n−1 = l. the harmonic mean of the other two. If a, b and c are
[where, l = last term] in HM, then b is the HM of a and c.
22 CDS Pathfinder

2
Let a and b be two numbers and H be the HM between  a + c 4 p2r 2 
⇒  
them.

 2 
  ( p + r) 2  = apcr [from Eqs. (i) and (ii)]
 
Then, a, b and c are in HP ( a + c) 2 pr
2ab ⇒ = ac
∴ H= ( p + r) 2
a+b
( a + c) 2 ( p + r) 2
⇒ =
Relation between Arithmetic, Geometric ac pr
and Harmonic Mean p2 r 2 a2 c2 p r a c
⇒ + + 2= + +2 ⇒ + = +
Let A, G and H be the arithmetic, geometric and pr pr ac ac r p c a
harmonic means between a and b, then
Sum to n Terms of Special Series
(i) A ≥ G ≥ H (ii ) G 2 = AH The sum of first n terms of some special series is given
below
EXAMPLE 4. If a, b, c are in AP, p, q, r are in HP and
p r 1. The sum of first n natural numbers
ap, bq, cr are in GP, then + is equal to
r p n ( n + 1)
= ∑ n = 1 + 2 + 3+…+ n =
a c a c 2
a. − b. +
c a c a 2. The sum of square of the first n natural numbers
b q b q
d. + d. −
q b q b n ( n + 1)( 2n + 1)
= ∑ n 2 = 12 + 22 +…+ n 2 =
a+ c 6
Sol. b. Since, a, b, c are in AP ⇒ b = ...(i)
2 3. The sum of cubes of the first n natural numbers
2pr 2
p, q, r are in HP ⇒ q = …(ii)  n ( n + 1)
p+ r = ∑ n 3 = 13 + 23 +…+ n 3 = 
 2 
and ap, bq, cr are in GP, b2q2 = apcr

PRACTICE EXERCISE
3 + 5 + 7 +L+ n 5. An AP consists of n (odd terms) and its middle
1. If = 7, then the value of n
5 + 8 + 11 + L + 10 terms term is m. Then, the sum of the AP is
is 1
(a) 2mn (b) mn (c) mn (d) mn2
(a) 35 (b) 36 (c) 37 (d) 40 2

2. If sum of n terms of an AP is 3n2 + 5n and 2 3 4

6. The sum of 1 + +
2
+ + L ∞ upto n terms is
Tm = 164, then m is equal to 5 5 53
(a) 26 (b) 27 (c) 28 (d) None of these 25 15
(a) (b)
16 16
3. In a GP, if the ( m + n )th term be p and ( m − n )th 5 3
(c) (d)
term be q, then its mth term is 16 2
(a) pq (b) p/q (c) q/p (d) p+ q
7. The sum of n terms of an AP is an ( n − 1). The
4. The sum of the first ‘n’ terms of the series sum of the squares of these terms is equal to
1 3 7 15
+ + + + L is a2
2 4 8 16 (a) a2n2 (n − 1)2 (b) n (n − 1) (2 n − 1)
6
(a) 2 n − n − 1 (b) 1 − 2 − n 2 a2 2 a2
−n n
(c) n (n − 1) (2 n − 1) (d) n (n + 1) (2 n + 1)
(c) n + 2 −1 (d) 2 − 1 3 3
MATHEMATICS Sequence and Series 23

8. If S be the sum to infinity of a GP, whose first 14. If the sum of first ‘n’ natural numbers is
term is a, then the sum of first n terms is n( n + 1)
n
. Then, what will be the sum of first ‘n’
2
(a) S  1 − 
a
 S terms of the series of alternate positive and
 negative numbers when ‘n’ is even?
a 
n
(b) S 1 −  1 −  
 S  12 − 22 + 32 − 42 + 52 − K

 a 
n n (n + 1) n2 (n + 1) − n (n + 1)
(c) a 1 −  1 −   I.
2
II.
2
III.
2
 S 

(d) None of the above
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) Only I (b) Only III (c) Only II (d) None of these
9. If the non-zero numbers a , b, c are in AP and
tan− 1 a , tan− 1 b, tan− 1 c are also in AP, then
PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS
(a) a = b = c (b) b 2 = 2 ac
(c) a2 = bc (d) c 2 = ab 15. If A, G and H are the arithmetic, geometric and
1 1 1 1 harmonic means between a and b respectively,
10. + = + , then a , b, c are in then which one of the following relations is
b− a b− c a c
(a) AP (b) GP
correct?
(c) HP (d) None of these (a) G is the geometric mean between A and H e 2015 I
(b) A is the arithmetic mean between G and H
11. The value of x + y + z is 15, if a , x , y , z , b are in (c) H is the harmonic mean between A and G
1 1 1 5
AP while the value of + + is , if a , x , y , z , b (d) None of the above
x y z 3
16. Consider the following statements in respect of
are in HP. Then, a and b are
n( n + 1)
(a) 1, 9 (b) 3, 7 the expression S n = , where ‘n’ is an
(c) 7, 3 (d) None of these 2
integer.
12. If the mth and nth term of a HP are n and m I. There are exactly two values of n for which
respectively, then the mnth term is S n = 861.
1
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) II. S n = S − ( n +1) and hence for any integer m we have
2 two values of n for which S n = m .
13. If a , 2a + 2, 3a + 3 are in GP, then what is the Which of these statement(s) is/are correct? e 2016 (I)
fourth term of the GP? (a) Only I (b) Only II
(a) − 13.5 (b) 13.5 (c) − 27 (d) 27 (c) Both I and II (d) Neither I nor II

ANSWERS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16

HINTS AND SOLUTIONS

n 1 3 7 15
[ 2 × 3 + ( n − 1) 2] 2. (b) Q Tm = Sm − S 4. (c) + + + +... + n terms
2 m −1
1. (a) Q =7 ⇒ 164 = 3 ( 2m − 1) + 5 ⋅ 1 2 4 8 16
10
=  1 −  +  1 −  +  1 − 
[ 2 × 5 + ( 10 − 1) × 3] 1 1 1
2 ⇒ 6m = 162  2  4  8
n( n + 2) ∴ m = 27
⇒ =7 + ... +  1 − n 
1
5 × 37 3. (a) Tm + n = arm + n − 1 = p,  2 
⇒ n2 + 2n − 1295 = 0 Tm − n = arm − n − 1 = q
= n −  + + + ... + n 
1 1 1 1
2
⇒ n + 37n − 35n − 1295 = 0 On multiplying, we get a 2 r 2 m − 2 = pq 2 4 8 2 
⇒ ( n + 37) ( n − 35) = 0 1  1 − ( 1 / 2)n 
∴ Tm = arm − 1 = pq = n−  −n
 = n+ 2 − 1
∴ n = 35 2  1− 1/ 2 
24 CDS Pathfinder

5. (c) Middle term = T ( c − b + a) ( b − c − a) ∴mnth term of HP = 1

n +1 ⇒ =
c( b − a ) a( b − c )
2 13. (c) a , 2a + 2, 3a + 3 are in GP.
n+ 1
∴ a +  − 1 d = m [given] ⇒
1
=−
1
⇒ ( 2 a + 2 ) 2 = (3 a + 3 )a
 2  c( b − a ) a( b − c )
⇒ 4a 2 + 4 + 8a = 3a 2 + 3a
2a + ( n − 1) d = 2m …(i) ⇒ ba − ca = − cb + ac
n ⇒ a 2 + 5a + 4 = 0
Now, Sn = [ 2a + ( n − 1) d ] = nm ⇒ ab + bc = 2ac
2 ⇒ a = −1, − 4
2ac
6. (a) The given sequence is arithmetic ∴ b= Now, a = −1 does not satisfy the given
1 a+ c series.
geometric series, where r = and d = 1 Hence, a , b , c are in HP.
5 ∴ −4, − 6, − 9 are in GP.
a dr 3
S∞ = +
∴ t = −4   = −13.5
11. (a) Q a, x, y, z, b are in AP. 3
1 − r ( 1 − r )2 a + b  2
∴ x + y + z = 3 
4
1 
1×  2 
1 5 14. (b) When ‘n’ is even.
= + a + b
15 = 3
1 2
1−  1 − 1 ⇒  Let n = 2m, then
5     2 
5 = 12 − 22 + 32 − 42 + 52 − K
= +
5 5
=
25 ⇒ a + b = 10 …(i)
= ( 12 − 22 ) + (32 − 42 ) + (52 − 62 )
4 16 16 Also, a , x , y , z , b are in HP.
+ K + ( 2m − 1)2 − ( 2m )2
7. (c) Let Sn = an( n − 1), then ⇒
1 1 1 1 1
, , , , are in AP. = ( 1 + 2)( 1 − 1) + (3 + 4)( − 1)
S = a ( n − 1)( n − 2) a x y z b
n −1 + (5 + 6)( − 1) + K
∴ Tn = Sn − S = 2a ( n − 1) a + b
+ + = 3
1 1 1
n −1 ⇒  + ( 2m − 1 + 2m )( − 1)
Tn 2 = 4a 2 ( n − 1)2 x y z  2ab 
( n − 1)( n)( 2n − 1) = − ( 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + ... + 2m )
∴ Sum = ΣTn2 = 4a 2 ⇒ − n ( n + 1)
6 5 3 × 10
= [Q a + b = 10] = −2m( 2m + 1) =
2a 2 n( n − 1)( 2n − 1) 3 2ab 2 2
=
3 ⇒ ab = 9 15. (a) Given, A, G and H are the arithmetic,
8. (b) Let r be the common ratio of GP, On solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get geometric and harmonic means between
then a and b, respectively.
a = 1, b = 9 or b = 1, a = 9
S=
a
, r = 1−
a a+ b 2ab
∴A = , G = ab and H =
1− r S 12. (b) Let a be the first term and d the 2 a+ b
a( 1 − r n ) a common difference of corresponding ( i) ( ii ) ( iii )
∴ Sn = = (1 − rn ) AP.
1− r 1− r On multiplying Eq. (i) and (iii), we get
1
 a n
= S 1 −  1 − 
So, m th and nth term of AP are and a+ b 2ab
  S  
n ∴ AH = × = ab = ( ab )2
1 2 a+ b
.
9. (a) Since, 2b = a + c …(i) m [from Eq. (ii)]
and 2 tan − 1 b = tan − 1 a + tan − 1 c ∴
1
= a + (m − 1) d …(i) AH = G 2
2b a+ c n
⇒ = Hence, the option (a) is correct.
1 − b2 1 − ac and
1
= a + ( n − 1) d …(ii) n ( n + 1)
⇒ b 2 = ac [from Eq. (i)] m 16. (a) I. Sn = = 861
⇒ 4b 2 = 4ac On solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get, 2
⇒ ( a + c )2 − 4ac = 0 [from Eq. (i)] 1 1 ⇒ n2 + n − 861 × 2 = 0
d = and a =
⇒ ( a − c )2 = 0 mn mn ⇒ ( n + 42) ( n − 41) = 0
⇒ a=c=b ∴mnth term of AP ⇒ n = − 42, 41
1 1 1 1 1 1 Hence, statement I is correct.
10. (c) Given, + = + = + (mn − 1) ×
b−a b−c a c mn mn II. Given, Sn = S
− ( n + 1)
1 1 1 1 1 + mn − 1 If Sn = m, then we have two values of
⇒ − = − = =1
b−a c a b−c mn n if and only if m is positive integer.
Hence, statement II is incorrect.