SEQUENCE AND SERIES

CONCEPTS AND RESULTS

** Sequence : is an arrangement of numbers in a definite order according to some rule. A sequence
can also
be defined as a function whose domain is the set of natural numbers or some subsets of the type {1,
2, 3....k). ** A sequence containing a finite number of terms is called a finite sequence. A sequence is
called infinite if it is not a finite sequence.
** Series : If a1, a2, a3,…,an, be a given sequence. Then, the expression a1 + a2 + a3 +,…+ an + ...
** Arithmetic Progression (A.P.) : is a sequence in which terms increase or decrease regularly by the
same
constant.
A sequence a1, a2, a3,…, an,… is called arithmetic sequence or arithmetic progression if
an + 1 = an + d, n ∈ N, where a1 is called the first term and the constant term d is called the common
difference of the A.P.
** The nth term (general term) of the A.P. a, a + d, a + 2d, ... is an = a + (n – 1) d.
** If a, b, c are in A.P. and k(  0) is any constant, then
(i) a + k, b + k, c + k are also in A.P.
(ii) a – k , b – k , c – k are also in A.P.
(iii) ak, bk, ck are also in A.P
a b c
(iv) , , are also in A.P.
k k k
** If a, a + d, a + 2d, …, a + (n – 1) d be an A.P. Then l = a + (n – 1) d.
Sum to n terms Sn  [2a  n  1d
n
2
n
 [a  l]
2
ab
** Arithmetic mean (A.M.) between two numbers a and b is .
2
** n arithmetic means between two numbers a and b are
a
b  a  , a  2b  a  , a  3b  a  , ... , a  n b  a  .
n 1 n 1 n 1 n 1
S
** Sum of n A.M. = n(single A.M.)
** Three consecutive terms in A.P. are a – d , a, a + d.
Four consecutive terms in A.P. are a – 3d , a – d , a + d, a + 3d.
Five consecutive terms in A.P. are a – 2d , a – d , a, a + d, a + 2d.
These results can be used if the sum of the terms is given.
** In an A.P. the sum of terms equidistant from the beginning and end is constant and equal to the sum
of first and last terms.
** mth term from end of an A.P. = (n – m + 1)th term from the beginning.

**Geometric Progression (G . P.) :A sequence is said to be a geometric progression or G.P., if the

ratio of any term to its preceding term is same throughout.
A sequence a1, a2, a3,…, an,… is called geometric progression, if each term is non-zero and
a k 1
 r (constant) , for k ≥ 1.
ak
By taking a1 = a, we obtain a geometric progression, a, ar, ar2, ar3,…., where a is called the first
term
and r is called the common ratio of the G.P.

57
** General term of a G .P. = a n  ar n 1 .
a (r n  1) a (1  r n )
** Sum to n terms of a G .P. = if r  1 and if r  1 .
r 1 1 r
a
** Sum of terms of an infinite G.P. = .
1 r
** Geometric Mean (G .M.): of two positive numbers a and b is the number is ab .
1 2 3 n
 b  n 1  b  n 1  b  n 1  b  n 1
** n geometric mean between two numbers a and b are a   , a   , a   , ... a   .
a a a a
a
** Three consecutive terms in G.P. are , a , ar .
r
a a
Four consecutive terms in G.P. are 3 , , ar , ar 3 .
r r
a a
Five consecutive terms in G.P. are 2 , , a , ar , ar 2 .
r r
These results can be used if the product of the terms is given.
** Harmonic Progression : A series of quantities is said to be in harmonic progression if their
reciprocals are in arithmetic progression.
1 1 1 1
** n th term of the H.P. , , , ... is .
a a  d a  2d a  n  1d
2ab
** Harmonic Mean between two quantities a & b is
ab
** Relations b/w A(A.M.), G(G.M.) & H(H.M.)
(i) A, G, H are in G.P.
(ii) A, G, H are in descending order of magnitude i.e. A > G > H.
** Arithmetico-geometric series : A type of series in which each term is the product of the
corresponding
terms of an A.P. and a G.P.
a  a  dr  a  2dr 2  a  3dr3  ... is an arithmetico-geometric series.
** Sum to n terms of the arithmetico-geometric series : a  a  dr  a  2dr 2  a  3dr3  ...

is S 
a

 
dr 1  r n 1 [a  n  1d]r n

1 r 1  r 2 1 r
a dr
** Sum of an Infinite arithmetico-geometric series =  .
1  r 1  r 2
** Some useful results
n n  1
 n  1  2  3  ...  n  2
n n  12n  1
 n 2  12  22  32  ...  n 2  6
 n n  1
2

 n  1  2  3  ...  n   2 
3 3 3 3 3

ILLUSTRATIONS

Example 1: A man saves Rs 135/- in the first year, Rs 150/- in the second year and in this way he
increases his savings by Rs 15/- every year. In what time will his total savings be Rs 5550/-?
a) 20 years (b) 25 years (c) 30 years (d) 35 years
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Ans: a) 25 years

Example 2: The fourth, seventh and tenth terms of a G.P. are p, q, r respectively, then :
(a) p2= q2 + r2 (b) q2 = pr (c) p2 = qr (d) pqr + pq + 1 = 0
2
Ans: (b) q = p

Example 3. What is the 20th term of the sequence defined by an = (n-1)(2-n)(3+n)?

Solution: Put n =20, we get A20 = (20-1)(2-20)(3+20)= 19 .(-18).23 = -7866
Example 3: In a G.P the 3rd term is 24 and 6th term is 192 . Find the 10th term
Solution : let a be the first term and r be common ratio of given G.P. , therefore
ar2 = 24 (1)
5
and ar =192 (2)
divide (2) by (1) we get
𝑎𝑟 5 192
= => r3 = 8 => r = 2
𝑎𝑟 2 24
Putting r=2 is (1) we get ,
a x 4 = 24 or a= 6
9 9
T10 = ar = 6 . 2 = 6 . 512 = 3072

Example 4 . Find the sum of the sequence 7, 77, 777, 7777, ... to n terms.
Solution :This is not a G.P., however, we can relate it to a G.P. by writing the terms as
Sn = 7 + 77 + 777 + 7777 + ... to n terms
7
= 9 [9 +99 + 999+ 9999+…………… to n terms]
7
=9 [(10-1) +(102 -1) + (103 -1 )+ (104 -1)+…………… to n terms]
7
=9 [(10 +102 + 103 + 104 +… to n terms) – (1+1+1+…n terms)]
7 10 10 𝑛 −1 7 10 10 𝑛 −1
=9 − 𝑛 =9 −𝑛
10−1 9

a n  bn
Example 5: If is the A.M. between a and b, then find the value of n.
a n 1  b n 1
Solution

an  bn
 is the A.M . b / w a and b
a n 1  b n 1
an  bn ab
 n 1 n 1
  2a n  2b n  a n  ab n 1  ba n 1  b n
a b 2
 a  ba  b  ab n 1  0  a n 1 a  b   b n 1 a  b   0
n n 1 n

 (a n 1  b n 1 )(a  b)  0
 (a n 1  b n 1 )  0 as (a  b)  0

n 1
a n 1
0
n 1 a
n 1 a
a b  n 1  1     
b b b
 n 1  0  n  1

Example 6 :The sum of two numbers is 6 times their geometric mean, show that numbers are in the
ratio (3  2 2 ) : (3  2 2 ) .
Solution

59
 Let the two numbers be a and b
ab 3
 a  b  6 ab  
2 ab 1
a  b  2 ab 3 1
  by componendo and dividendo 
a  b  2 ab 3 1
( a  b)2 ( a  b) 2
 2  
( a  b) 2
( a  b) 1
a b a b 2 1
  by C and D
a b a b 2 1
2 a 2 1 a 2 1 2 2 3  2 2
    
2 b 2 1 b 2 1 2 2 3  2 2
 a : b  (3  2 2 ) : (3  2 2 )

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS :

Q1. The product of 5 terms of a G.P. , whose 3rd term is 2 is

A) 52 B) 25 C) 33 D) 35
Q2. The first term of a G.P. is 2 and the sum to infinity is 6. Then the common ratio is
A) 1/2 B) 1/3 C) 1/4 D) 2/3
Q3. 91/3 .91/9 .91/27……… to ∞ equals
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 9
Q4. If nth term of a sequence is an = (-1)n-1 n3 , then its 9th term is
A) 105 B) 177 C) 324 D) 729
Q5. Statement I :The G.P. 2 , 2√2 , 4 , ….. 128 is 13th term of the series.
Statement II: A series in which the result of dividing any term by the previous term (if any) is
same is called G.P.
a) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is the correct explanation of
Statement I
b) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is not the correct explanation of
Statement I
c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Q6 Case study question:

There is an equilateral triangle with each side of length 24cm. themid point of its sides are joined to
form another triangle . This process is going continuously infinite times.
Based on the above information answer the following questions :
(i) The side of the 5th triangle is (in cm)
a) 3 B) 6 c) 1.5 d) 0.75
(ii) The sum of perimeter of first 6 triangles (in cm) is
a) 569/4 B) 567/4 c) 120 d) 144
(iii) The area of all the triangles (in sq cm) is
a) 576 B)192√3 c) 144√3 d) 169√3
(iv) The sum of perimeter of all the triangles (in cm) is
a) 144 B)169 c) 400 d) 625
(v) The perimeter of the 7th triangle (in sq ) is
a) 7/8 B)9/8 c) 5/8 d) 3/4

60
Q 7.A company produces 500 computers in the third year and 600 computers in the seventh year.
Assuming that the production increases uniformly by a constant number every year, answer the

following questions.
(i) How many computers were produced in the first year?
(ii) By what number does the production increase every year?
(iii) How many computers will be produced in the 21st year?
(iv) Find the total production in 10 years.

Q 8 In a G.P. , the 3rd term is 24 and the 6th term is 192

Based on the above information answer the following questions :
(i) First term of G. P. is
a) 6 b) 8 c) 9 d) 10
(ii) Common ratio of G.P. is
a) 3 b) 2 c) 4 d)6
th
(iii) 10 term of G.P. is
a) 3150 b) 3060 c) 3072 d) 3070
(iv) Sum of first six terms of G.P. is
a) 360 b) 370 c) 380 d)378
Short answer questions
Q9. Write the first five terms of the sequence whose nth term is given by an = 2n.
𝑎
Q 10. The Fibonacci sequence is defined by a1 = a2 = 1 and an = an-1 + an-2 , n> 2. Find 𝑎𝑛 +1
𝑛
for n= 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5
Q 11.Find the 12th term of a G.P. whose 8th term is 192 and the common ratio is 2.
Q 12.The first term of a geometric progression is 1 . The sum of the third and fifth term is 90. Find
the common ratio of the geometric progression .
Q13. For what values of x , the numbers -2/7 , x , -7/2 are in G.P.
Q 14.Given a G.P. with a =729 and 7th term 64, determine S7 .
Q 15.At the end of each year the value of a certain machine has depreciated by 20% of its value at
the beginning of that year. If its initial value was Rs. 1250, find the value at the end of 5 years
Q16. Determine the 3number n of terms in a geometric progression { an } , if a1 = 3, an =96 and
Sn=189
3 3 3
Q17. Find S for G.P. , - 4 , 16 , − 64 , … …
Q18. Insert two numbers 3 and 81 so that the resulting sequence is G.P.
Long answer type questions
Q19. Find sum of 50 terms of the sequence 7 ,7.7, 7.77 ,7.777 ……
Q20. Let the ratio of A.M. and the G.M. of two positive numbers a and b be m:n . Show that
𝑎: 𝑏 = 𝑚 + 𝑚2 − 𝑛2 : 𝑚 − 𝑚2 − 𝑛2
Q21. If the pth, qth and rth terms of a G.P. are a, b and c, respectively. Prove that aq – r.br – p.cp – q = 1.
Q22. The sum of first three terms of a G.P. is 16 and the sum of the next three terms is 128.
Determine the first term, the common ratio and the sum to n terms of the G.P.
Q23. The sum of two numbers is 6 times their geometric mean, show that numbers are in the ratio
(3+ 2√2) : (3- 2√2)
ANSWERS :

1. B) 25 2. D) 2/3 3. C) 3 4. D) 729 5. B 6. (i) c (ii) b (iii) b (iv) a (v) b

7. (i) 450 (ii) 25 (iii) 950 (iv) 5625 8. (i) a (ii) b (iii) c (iv) d 9. 2 ,4 , 8 ,16 , 32
10. 1, 2, 3/2, 5/3,8/5 11. 3072 12.±3 13.±1 14.2059
15. 409.6 16. 6 17.-3/5 18.9 and 27

61
 3493 7 1
19. − 1 − 10 49 20. Prove yourself 21. Prove yourself 22. 16/7 ; 2 ; 16(2n-1)/7
9 81
23. Prove yourself

MATHS CLASS 11
SEQUENCE AND SERIES
PRACTICE TEST-1(MAX MARKS 20)
Note: Q no. 1 to 5 are 1 marks , Q6 &7 are 2 marks , Q no. 8 &Q no.9 are 3 marks and Q no. 10 is
5 marks
Q1. 4th term from the end of the G.P. 3, 6, 12, 24., .........., 3072 is
(a) 348 (b) 843 (c) 438 (d) 384)
Q2. For a G.P. the ratio of the 7th and the third terms is 16. What is the common ratio?
(a) 2 (b) ±2 (c) 4 (d) ±4
Q3which term of geometric progression : 2 ,8 , 32, …. Is 131072
a) 9th b) 10th c) 11th d) 12th
Q4 91/3 .91/9 .91/27……… to ∞ equals
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 9
3 3 3 2
Q5. Statement –I : Sum of the series − 4 , 16 , − 64 , … … … … …. is − 3 .
𝑎
Statement –II :𝑠 = 1−𝑟 denotes the sum of infinite G.P. with first term a and common ratio r.
a) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is the correct explanation of
Statement I
b) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is not the correct explanation of
Statement I
c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Q 6. A person has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents, and so on. Find the number of
his ancestors during the ten generations preceding his own.
Q7. Find the sum of 0.15, 0.015, 0.0015, ...upto 20 terms
Q8. Insert three numbers between 1 and 256 so that the resulting sequence is a G.P.
Q9. If a, b, c and d are in G.P. show that (a 2  b 2  c 2 )(b 2  c 2  d 2 )  (ab  bc  cd ) 2 .
Q10.If A.M. and G.M. of two positive numbers a and b are 10 and 8, respectively, find the
numbers.

MATHS CLASS 11
SEQUENCE AND SERIES
PRACTICE TEST-2 (MAX MARKS 30)
Note: Q no. 1 to 5 are 1 marks , Q6 to 8 are 2 marks , Q no. 9 to Q no. 11 are 3 marks and Q no. 12
and Q. no13 are 5 marks
Q1. If 3rd , 8th and 13th terms of G.P. are p,q and r respectively , then which one of the following is
correct
a . q2 =pr b. r2 = pq c. pq= r d. 2q = p+r
n-1 3 th
Q2. . If nth term of a sequence is an = (-1) n , then its 9 term is
A) 105 B) 177 C) 324 D) 729
Q3. geometric mean between 1 and 256 IS
A) 8 b. 16 c. 14 d. 12
Q4. If x, 2x+3 ,3x+3 are in G.P. ,then 4th term is
A) -13.5 b. -14.5 c.-15.5 d. -16.5
Q5. Statement I : Four terms of the G.P. 3 ,32 , 33 ,…. Are needed to give the sum 120
Statement II: Tn =arn is nth terms of G.P. whose first term is a and common ratio r.
a) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is the correct explanation of
Statement I
b) Both the statement I and Statement II are true and statement II is not the correct explanation of
Statement I
c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
62
Q6 Write first five terms of sequence whose nth term is given by an = (-1)n-1 5n+1
Q7.for what values of x , the numbers -2/7 ,x -7/2 are in G.P.
Q8. Find the 12th term of a G.P. whose 8th term is 192 and the common ratio is 2.
39
Q9. The sum of first three terms of a G.P. is and their product is 1. Find the common ratio and
10
the terms.
Q10. Find the sum to n terms of the sequence, 8, 88, 888, 8888… .
11. Let S be the sum, P the product and R the sum of reciprocals of n terms in a G.P. Prove that
P2Rn = Sn.
12. If A and G be A.M. and G.M., respectively between two positive numbers, prove that the
numbers are A  (A  G)(A  G) .
13 Case study
Rahul being a plant lover decides toopen a nursery and he bought fewplants with pots. He wants
to place potsin such a way that number of pots infirst row is 2, in second row is 4 and in third
row is 8 and so on. Answer the following questions based on the above information.

(i) Find the number of pots in the 8th row.

(ii) Find the total number of pots in 10 rows.
(iii) If Rahul wants to place 510 pots in all,
how many rows will be formed?

ANSWERS OF PRACTICE TEST-1

Q1. D Q2.B Q3.A Q4. C. Q5. D
Q 6 . 2046 Q7 . (1-(0.1)20)/6 Q8. 4, 16, 64 Q10.4 and 16 Q11. 3072

ANSWERS OF PRACTICE TEST-2

1. A 2. D 3.B 4.A 5. C
5 2
6. 25 , -125, 625 , -3125 , 15625 7. ±1 8. 3072 9. , 1 and .
2 5
n+1
10. 8(10 -10-9n) /8 13(i) 256 (ii) 2046 (iii) 8
*****

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