Sequences

SEQUENCES AND SERIES - I
Arithmetic Progression
Sequence
A sequence is a function of natural numbers with codomain as the set of real numbers. It is said to
be finite or infinite according it has finite or infinite number of terms. Sequence a1, a2,........ an is
usually denoted by {an} or <an>
Series
By adding or subtracting the terms of a sequence we get a series.
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)
A sequence is called an arithmetic progression, if the difference of two consecutive term
is the same always.
i.e. an–an–1 = d, (constant), nN.
Here d is called the common difference (If d= 0 sequence is a constant sequence. if d>0 the
sequence is increasing; if d<0,the sequence is decreasing)
nth term of an A.P = a+(n–1)d
nth term from end of an A.P = an+(n–1) (–d)
where an is the last term and d, the common difference of the A.P.
Sum of n terms of an A.P
The sum Sn of n terms of an A.P is given by
n
°° 2 >2 a ( n – 1) d @
Sn = ® or
° n (a 1 a n )
°¯ 2
Where a is the first term, an last term, d common difference
Note that a sequence is an A.P if and only if its nth term is a linear expression in n, and in that
case its common difference is the coefficient of n.
Also sum to n terms is of the form An2+Bn where A & B are constants, and the common
difference of the A.P is 2A.
Note :
(i) d = an– an–1
= (Sn–Sn–1)–(Sn–1–Sn–2)
= Sn–2Sn–1+Sn–2
(ii) Sn–3Sn–1+3Sn–2–Sn–3
= (Sn–Sn–1) –2 (Sn–1–Sn–2)+(Sn–2–Sn–3)
= an–2an–1+an–2
= 0 as an–2,an–1, an are in A.P
Selection of terms in an A.P
In case of an odd number of terms the middle term is a and common difference d while in
case of even number of terms, middle terms are a–d, a+d and common difference is 2d.
No. of terms Terms Common difference.
3 a–d, a, a+d d
4 a–3d, a–d, a+d, a+3d 2d
149
5 a–2d, a–d, a, a+d, a+2d d
Insertion of Arithmeitc Means
ac
If a, b, c are in A.P, then b= is called the single arithmetic mean of a & c. Let a & b be two
2
given numbers and A1, A2,........... An are n A.M’s between them. Then a, A1,A2,...An, b are in A.P.
b–a
Common difference of this sequence d= .
n 1
A1= a+d, A2= a+2d etc. we can find all the arithmetic means.
Properties of A.P.
1 If a1, a2, a3, ........ are in A.P; then a1 r k, a2 r k,a3 r k,..................... are also in A.P..
a1
2 If a1, a2, a3,................. are in A.P, then a 1 O , a2 O ,a3 O ,.................... and ,
O
a 2 a3
, .............. are also in A.P ( O z 0)
O O
3 If a1, a2,.......... an are in A.P, then an,an–1,...............a2,a1 is also an A.P with common
difference (–d)
4 If a1, a2, a3, ..................and b 1, b 2, b 3, .......................... are two A.P.s then
a1 r b1,a2 r b2,a3 r b3,..... are also in A.P..
5 If a1, a2, a3,.............. and b1, b2, b3,................are two A.P.s then a1b1, a2b2, a3b3,...........and
a1 a 2 a 3
, , ,................. are NOT in A.P..
b1 b 2 b 3
6 If 3 numbers are in A.P we may take them as a–d, a, a+d. If 4 numbers are in A.P, we
can take them as a–3d, a–d, a+d, a+3d.
7 In an arithmetic progression, sum of the terms equidistant form the beginning and
end is a constant and equal to sum of first and last term.
Iie for {an},a1+an = a2+an–1=a3+an–2=......
a r –k a rk
Also ar = , 0 d k d n–r..
2
8 Sum of n arithmetic means between two given numbers a & b is n times the single
A.M between them .
§a b·
ie. A1+A2+...............+An = n ¨ ¸
© 2 ¹
n (middleterm);if nisodd.
°
9 Also Sn = a1+a2+......+an= ® n (sum of two middle terms); if n is even
°̄ 2
150
Solved Examples
1 If x, y, z are real numbers satisfying the equation 25(9x2+y2)+9z2–15(5xy+yz+3zx) = 0, then
x,y,z are in
(a) A.P (b) G .P (c) H.P (d) None of these
Solution:
We have (15x)2+(5y)2+(3z)2–(15x)(5y)–(5y)(3z)–(3z)15x) = 0
or (15x–5y)2+(5y–3z)2+(3z–15x)2 = 0
1
' a2+b2+c2–ab–bc–ca = {(a–b)2+(b–c)2+(c–a)2}
2
(15x–5y)= 0,(5y–3z)= 0,(3z–15x) = 0
x y z
15x = 5y = 3z O
1 3 5
?x = O, y = 3O, z = 5O
So x, y, z are in A.P
Ans (a)
2 The number of common terms of the two sequences 2,5,8,11..................299 and
3,5,7,9,11.....201.
(a) 17 (b) 33 (c) 50 (d) 147
Solution
Sequence of common terms is
5,11,17..........whose nth term is
an = 5+(n–1)6 = 6n–1
an d 201 6n–1 d 201
2
n d 33 ? n = 33
3
Ans (b)
1 1 1 5 1
3 The value of x+y+z = 15. If a, x, y, z, b are in A.P, while the value of + y + is . If ,
x z 3 a
1 1 1 1
, , , are in A.P, then
x y z b
(a) a = 1, b = 9 (b) a=9,b=1 (c) can not find (d) None of these
Solution:
5
a+x+y+z+b = (a+b)
2
3
x+y+z = (a+b)
2
3
15 = (a+b)
2
a+b = 10
151
1 1 1 1 1 5 § 1 1·
Also + + y + + = ¨ ¸
a x z b 2 ©a b¹
1 1 1 3 § 1 1·
+ y + = ¨ ¸
x z 2 ©a b¹
5 3 §a b·
= ¨ ab ¸
3 2 © ¹
5 3 10
= . ab = 9
3 2 ab
Solving we get a = 1, b=9 or a= 9, b = 1
Ans = a,b
4 Let a1, a2, a3,............a11, be real numbers satisfying a1 = 15, 27–2a2>0 and ak = 2ak–1–ak–2 for
2 2
a1 a 2 ....... a11
2
a 1 a 2 ....... a 11
k = 3,4,..............11. If = 90, then the value of is
11 11
equal to
Solution
a1 = 15, ak=2ak–1–ak–2 a1, a2........a111 are in A.P.
2 2 2
a1 a 2 ....... a11 (15) 2 (15 d) 2 ......... (15 10d) 2
? = = 90
11 11
2 2 2
–9 2
(15u 11) d (1+----+10 ) 3od (1+2+10)
7d +30d+27 = 0 d = –3,
2
7 °° 11 11 11
® 225+350 d 2+150 d =90
27 –9 °
given a2<
2
? d = –3 & d z
7 °¯ 35d 2+ 150 d +135 = 0
a 1 a 2 ....... a 11 11 (30 – 3 u 10)

= =0
11 2 11
Ans 0
5 Suppose A, B, C are defined as A = a2b+ab2–a2c–ac2, B = b2c+bc2–a2b–ab2 and C = a2c+c2a–
1 1 1
cb2–c2b, where a>b>c>0 and the equation Ax2+Bx+C = 0 has equal roots then , , are in
a b c
(a) A.P (b) G.P (c) H.P (d) None of these
Solution :
' A+B+C = 0, x = 1 is a root of Ax2+Bx+C = 0
The other root = 1 (' roots are equal)
C
? 1×1 = C =A
A
a2c+c2a–cb2–c2b = a2b+ab2–a2c–ac2
c(a–b)(a+b+c) = a(b–c)(a+b+c)
ac–cb = ab–ac (' a+b+c z 0)
2ac = ab+bc
152
2 1 1
= +
b c a
1 1 1
, , are in A.P.
a b c
Ans: (a)
6 If a, b, c, d, are distinct integers in an increasing A.P such that d = a2+b2+c2, then a+b+c+d =
(a) –1 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 2
Solution :
a, b, c, d Z
Let b = a+ O , c= a+2 O , d = a+3 O , O Z
a+3 O = a2+(a+ O )2+(a+2 O )2
5 O 2+3(2a–1) O +3a2–a = 0 .................(1)
O is real
Dt 0
9(2a–1)2–4.5.(3a2–a) t 0 24a2+16a–9 d 0
–1 70 –1 70
– d ad +
3 12 3 12
' a I a = –1,0
If a = –1, O = 1 and if a = 0 O Z
4
a+b+c+d = (a+d) = 2(2a+3 O ) = 2(–2+3) = 2
2
Ans (d)
7 Consider the sequence in the form of groups (1), (2,2), (3,3,3), (4,4,4,4), (5,5,5,5,5),............,
the 2000th term of the sequence is not divisible by
(a) 3 (b) 9 (c) 7 (d) None of these
Solution
Let us write the terms in the groups as follows:
(1), (2,2), (3,3,3).........consisting of 1,2, 3, 4, ............terms
Let 2000th term fall in nth group. Then
1+2+3+...........+(n–1)<2000 d 1+2+....................+n
n(n – 1) n(n 1)
<200 d
2 2
n(n–1)<400 d n(n+1)
n(n–1)<400 and n(n+1) t 400
n2–n–400<0 and n2+n–400 t 0
n = 63
i.e. 2000th term falls is 63 rd group.
Also 2000th term is 63
Ans (d)
8 If x18 = y21 =z28, then 3logyx,3logzy, 7logxz are in
(a) A.P (b) G.P (c) H.P (d) None of these
153
Solution
Let x18 = y21 =z28= O
18logx = 21log y = 28 logz = log O
21 28 18
logyx = , logzy = , logxz =
18 21 28
7 9
3logyx = , 3logzy = 4, 7logxz =
2 2
3, 3logyx, 3logzy, 7logxz are in A.P
Ans (a)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1* If 1, logyx, logzy, –15logxz are in A.P, then
1
(a) z3 = x (b) x = y–1 (c) y= (d) None of these
z3
a
2 If 51+x+51–x, , 25x+25–x are three consecutive terms of an A.P, then a is
2
(a) d 12 (b) t 12 (c) = 12 (d) None of these
3 If sin D , sin2 D , 1, sin4 D and sin5 D are in A.P, where – S < D < S , then D lies in the interval
§ – S S· § – S S· § – S S·
(a) ¨ , ¸ (b) ¨ , ¸ (c) ¨ , ¸ (d) None of these
© 2 2¹ © 3 3¹ © 6 6¹
4 If the roots of x3–12x2+39x–28 = 0 are in A.P, then their common difference will be
(a) r 1 (b) r 2 (c) r 3 (d) r 4
5 If the sides of a right triangle are in A.P, then the sum of the sines of two acute angles is
7 4
(a) (b)
5 3
5 –1 5 1
(c) + (d) None of these
2 2
6 Read the passage and answer the following questions. Two consecutive numbers from 1, 2,
105
3, .........,n are removed. The arithmetic mean of the remaining numbers is .
4
(i) The value of n lies in
(a) [45,55] (b) [52,60] (c) [41,49] (d) None of these
(ii) The removed numbers
(a) lie between 10 and 20 (b) are greater than 10
(c) are less than 15 (d) none of these
(iii) Sum of all numbers
(a) exceeds 1600 (b) is less than 1500
(c) lies between 1300 and 1500 (d) none of these
7 Concentric circles of radii 1, 2, 3, .....100 cm are drawn. The interior of the smallest circle is
154
coloured red and the angular regions are coloured alternately green and red, so that no two
adjacent regions are of same color. The total area of the given regions in sq.cm is equal to
(a) 1000 S (b) 5050 S (c) 4950 S (d) 515 S
8* If three identical fair unbiased dice are thrown together such that the numbers a, b and c, where
a,b, c {1,2,3,4,5,6} appear on each of them respectively. If r represents all possible distinct
cases, D represent the number of ways in which a+b+c = 9 and E represents the number of
ways of obtaining a+b+c = 8, then match the following.
Column I Column II
(a) If D represents the common difference of an A.P
such that the arithmetic mean of the squares of these
quantities exceeds the square of A.M by 9, then the
number of terms of A.P are (p) 5C2
(b)
max( D,E )
¦
r min( D,E )
max(D,E)

Cr – 5 (q) 2
(c) If 6th term in the expansion of ( D + E )n is the greatest

term, then n is (r) 1
ª§ J – E ·§ D ·º
(d) «¨¨ ¸¸¨¨ ¸¸» is equal to where [.] denotes the
¬ © J – D ¹© E ¹¼
greatest integer function (s) 10
9 A person is to count 4500 currency notes. Let an denotes the number of notes he counts in the
nth minute. If a1 = a2 = ............a10 = 150 and a10,a11...........are in A.P with common difference –
2, then the time taken by him to count all notes is
(a) 24 min (b) 34min (c) 125min (d) 135min
10 If a1, a2...............a n are in A.P with common difference d z 0 then (sind) (seca 1 seca2+
seca2seca3+.........secan–1secan) is equal to
(a) cotan–cota1 (b) cota1–cotan (c) tanan–tana1 (d) tana1–tanan
Nnote:* Question with more than one option is correct.
Answers
1. a,b,c 2. b 3. d 4. c 5. a 6. (i) a (ii) c (iii) b 7. b 8. a o q ; b o q ; c o p,s ; d o r
9. b 10. c
155
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - II
Geometric Progression
A sequence of non-zero numbers is called a geometric progression if ratio of a term and the
term preceding to it is always a constant. This constant is called the common ratio of the G.P.
a n 1
i.e. a1, a2, .........., an is in G.P. if a r = const., nHN .
n
nth term of a G.P. = an = a rn–1.

n 1
§1·
nth term from end of a G.P = an. ¨ ¸ where an is the last term and r the common ratio of the
©r¹
G.P.
Sign of a +ve +ve –ve –ve
Range of r r>1 0<r<1 r>1 0<r<1
G.P. is increasing decreasing decreasing increasing
If r = 1, the sequence will be a constant sequence. If r is negative the terms of G.P. are alternately
positive and negative and so the G.P is neither increasing nor decreasing.
Sum of n terms of a G.P
Let the first term of G.P be a common ratio r and last term a n, then
i) Sum to n terms
a(r n 1) §1 rn ·
° or a ¨ ¸ ; when r z 1
® r 1 © 1 r ¹
Sn =
°na ; when r 1
¯
a anr a r a
Also Sn = or n ; when r z 1
1 r r 1
Sum of an Infinite G.P
Sum of an infinite G.P. with first term a and common ratio r (–1 < r < 1; r z 0 or 0<|r|<1) is given
a
by S =
1 r
If r>1, then the sum of an infinite G.P tends to infinity.
Selection of terms in a G.P
156
In case of an odd number of terms the middle term is a and common ratio is r while in case of
a
even number of terms, middle terms are , ar and common ratio is r2.
r
No. of terms Terms Common ratio
a
3 , a, ar r
r
a a
4 , , ar, ar3 r2
r3 r
a a
5 , , a, ar, ar2 r
r2 r
Note that it is convenient to take the terms as a, ar, ar 2 ......... if the product of numbers is not
given.
Insertion of geometric means
Note : If a & b are two numbers of opposite signs then geometric mean between them does not exist.
Solved Examples
3
1. Suppose a, b, c are in A.P and a2, b2, c2 are in G.P. If a<b<c and a+b+c = , then the value of
2
a is
1 1 1 1 1 1
a. b. c. 1 d.
2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2
Solution : Let the numbers be A – d, A , A + d
1
Then A =
2
1 1 1
? Numbers are – d, , +d
2 2 2
a2, b2, c2 are in G.P.
2
§ § 1 ·2 · 2 2
¨ ¨ ¸ ¸ = §¨ 1 d ·¸ §¨ 1 d ·¸
¨© 2 ¹ ¸ ©2 ¹ ©2 ¹
© ¹
2
1 §1 2· 1 1
= ¨ d ¸ d2 = r
16 © 4 ¹ 4 4
1 1
d2 = d= +
2 2
157
1 1
Since a < b < c, a = –
2 2
Ans. d
2 3 n
3 § 3· § 3· n –1 § 3 ·
2. If an = – ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ ......... (–1) ¨ ¸ and bn = 1–an, then the minimum natural number
4 © 4¹ © 4¹ © 4¹
no such that bn > an & n > no is
a. 4 b. 5 c. 6 d. 12
3 §¨ § 3 · ·
n
1 ¨ ¸ ¸
4 ¨© © 4 ¹ ¸
¹
Solution : an = 3
1
4
3 § § 3· ·
n
i.e. an = 7 ¨¨1 ¨ 4 ¸ ¸
¸
© © ¹ ¹
bn > an 1 – an > an 2an < 1
6 §¨ § 3 · ·
n n n
1 ¨ ¸ ¸ <1 § 3· 7 § 3· 1
7 ¨© © 4 ¹ ¸ 1– ¨ ¸ < – ¨ ¸ <
¹ © 4 ¹ 6 © 4 ¹ 6
(–3)n+1 < 22n–1

For n to be even, the inequality always holds. For n to be odd, it holds for n > 7.
? Least natural number for which it holds is 6.
Ans. c
3. If a be the arithmetic mean of b and c and G 1, G2 be the two geometric means between them,
then G13 + G23 =
a. G1G2a b. 2G1G2a c. 3G1G2a d. none of these
Solution : b, a, c are in A.P
2a = b+c
Also b, G1, G2, c are in G.P
G 12 = b G 2 G13 = bG1G2
G 22 = G 1c G23 = cG1G2
G13 + G23 = G1G2 (b+c) = 2G1G2a
Ans. b
158
f
1 S2 f
1
4. It is known that ¦ (2r 1) 2 8
, then ¦
r 1 r2
is
r 1
S2 S2 S2
a. b. c. d. none of these
24 3 6
Solution:
1 1 1
Let ..........f = x
12 2 2 32
f
1 §1 1 1 · §1 1 1 ·
¦
r 1 r 2 = ¨ 2
©1
2 2 .......... ¸ + ¨ 2 2 2 ..........f ¸
3 5 ¹ ©2 4 6 ¹
S2 1 §1 1 1 ·
x= + ¨ 2 2 2 ..........f ¸
8 4 © 1 2 3 ¹
S2 1 3x S2 S2
x= + x = x=
8 4 4 8 6
Ans. c
5. If ai H R, i = 1, 2, 3, .......n and all a i’s are distinct such that
§ n 1 2 · 2 § n –1 · n
¨¦ i ¸a x 2¨ ¦ i i 1 ¸
a a x ¦ a i2 d 0 , then a1, a2, ......... are in
©i1 ¹ ©i1 ¹ i 2
a. G.P b. A.P c. H.P d. none of these

n 1 n 1
Solution : ¦
i 1
(aix + ai+1) < 0
2
¦i 1
(aix + ai+1)2 = 0
aix + ai+1 = 0 i = 1, 2, ......... n–1
a i 1
a i = – x i = 1, 2, ...... n –1
? a1, a2, ......... an are in G.P.
159
Ans . a
6. The 1025th term is the sequence
1, 22, 4444, 88888888, ........... is
a. 29 b. 210 c. 211 d. none of these
Solution : Number of digits in each term are in G.P.
Let 1025th term =2n
then
1+2+4+8+........+2 n–1 < 1025 d1+2+4+8+.....+2 n
(2 n – 1) (2 n1 – 1)
1 < 1025 d1.
2 –1 2 –1
2n–1 < 1025 d 2n+1–1
2n+1 t 1026 > 1024 = 2 10
n+1 > 10 n > 9
? n=10
Ans. b
7. If a1/x=b1/y=c1/z and a, b, c are in geometrical progression, then x,y, z are in
a. A.P. b. G.P. c. H.P. d. None of these
Solution : a1/x=b 1/y=c1/z =k
a=kx, b=ky, c=kz
a, b, c are in G.P. b2 = ac
k2y=kx+z
2y=x+z
Ans. a
8. If the arithmetic mean of two numbers be A and geometric mean be G, then the numbers will be
a. A r (A2–G2) b. A r A2 – G2
A r ( A G )(A – G )
c. r (A G )(A – G ) d. 2
160
Solution : Let the number be a and b
A = a b G2=ab
2
a and b are the roots of x 2–2Ax+G2=0
2A r 4A2 – 4G2
x=
2
x= A r (A2–G2)
Ans. a
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. The sum of an infinite geometric series is 2 and the sum of the geometric series made from the
cubes of this infinite series is 24. Then the series is
3 3 3 3 3 3
a. 3 – ....... b. 3 ......
2 4 8 2 4 8
3 3 3
c. 3– – ...... d. none of these
2 4 8
2. Read the passage and answer the following questions.
Let A1, A2,.....Am be arithmetic means between –2 and 1027 and G 1, G2, .... Gn be Geometric
means between 1 and 1024. Product of geometric means is 245 and sum of arithmetic means is
1025×171.
i. The value of n is
ii. The value of m is
a. 340 b. 342 c. 344 d. 346
iii. The value of G1+G2+G3+....+Gn is
iv. The common difference of the progression A1, A3, A5.....An is
a. 6 b. 3 c. 2 d. 1
v. The numbers 2A171, G 52 1 , 2A172 are in
a. AP b. GP c. HP d. AGP
3. The difference between two numbers is 48 and the difference between their arithmetic mean
and their geometric mean is 18. Then, the greater of two numbers is
a. 96 b. 60 c. 54 d. 49
§1 1 1 ·
4. If ax=by=cz=dw, the value of x ¨¨ ¸¸ is
©y z w¹
a. loga(abc) b. loga(bcd) c. logb(cda) d. logc(dab)
5. If three positive numbers x, y, z are in A.P. and also tan –1x, tan–1y, tan–1z are in A.P., then
a. x=y=z b. xz y=z c. x = yz z d. none of these
6. If a1, a2, a3 are three consecutive terms of a G.P. with common ratio k. Then the values of k for
which the inequality a3 > 4a2 – 3a1, is satisfied is (if a1 > 0)
161
a. (1, 3) b. – f,1 3, f c. R d. none of these
7. The three successive terms of a G.P. will form the side of a triangle if the common ratio r lies in
§ 5 –1 5 1· § –1 5 ·
¨ ¸ ¨ ¸
a. ¨ 2 , 2 ¸ b. ¨ 2 ,f¸
© ¹ © ¹
§ 5 –1·
c. ¨ – f, ¸ d. none of these
¨ 2 ¸
© ¹
S
8. If for 0 < x < , exp (sin2x+sin4x+sin6x+........ f ) loge2) satisfies the quadratic equation
2
sin x – cos x
x 2–9x+8=0, is
sin x cos x
a. 2– 3 b. 2+ 3 c. 3 –2 d. none of these
9. Match the following
Column I Column II
a. If a, b, c are non zero real numbers such that
3(a2+b2+c2+1) = 2 (a+b+c+ab+bc+ca) then a, b, c are in (p) AP
b. If the square of difference of three numbers be in AP, then
their differences are in (q) GP
c. If a–b, ax–by, ax 2–by2(a, b z 0) are in G.P. then
ax – by
x, y, are in (r) HP
a–b
(s) equal
10. If 1+p+p +......+p =(1+p) (1+p )(1+p )(1+p ) (1+p ) then the value of n (nHN) is
2 n 2 4 8 16
a. 32 b. 16 c. 31 d. 15
11. If sinT, 2 (sinT+1), 6sinT+6 are in G.P., then the fifth term is
a. 81 b. 82 2 c. 162 d. none of these
12. If x H{1, 2, 3, ....9} and fn(x)=xxx......x(n digits) then f n (3)+fn(2) is equal to
2
a. 2f2n(1) b. fn2(1) c. f2n(1) d. 2f2n(4)

13. The number of divisors of 1029, 1547 and 122 are in
a. AP b. GP c. HP d. none of these
14. Let x1, x2,.....,xn be a sequence of integers such that
(i) –1d x i d 2 for i=1, 2,....n
(ii) xi+x2+....+xn=19
(iii) x12+x 22+....+xn2=99
Let m and M be the minimum and Maximum possible values of x13+x23+....xn3 respectively, then
M
the value of is _____
m
15. Let 16, 4, 1, .... be a geometric sequence. Define Pn as the product of the first n terms. Then the
162
f
¦ n Pn
value of n 1 is _____.
4
1
a. 64 b. c. 32 d. none of these
64
Note:* Questions with more than one option is correct
ANSWERS
1. c 2. (i) b (ii) b (iii) a (iv) a (v) a 3. d 4. b
5. a 6. b 7. a 8. a
9. a o p,q,s; b o r; c o p,q,s 10. c 11. c 12. c
13 a 14. 7 15. c
163
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - III
Harmonic Progression
A sequence a1,a2......an of non-zero numbers is called a harmonic sequence if the sequence
1 1 1
, ,........ ,....... is an A.P..
a1 a 2 an
1 1 1
Eg: The sequence , , ...... is an H.P. because the sequence 3,5,7...... is an A.P..
3 5 7
nth term of a H.P.
The nth term of a H.P. is the reciprocal of nth term of the corresponding A.P. and the common
1 1
difference of the corresponding A.P is d. i.e. d – .
a 2 a1
i. nth term of the H.P is given by
1 1 a 1a 2
an = 1
§ 1 1· a 2 n – 1a1 – a 2
n – 1d 1
n – 1¨ – ¸
a1 a1 © a 2 a1 ¹
ii. nth term of the H.P. from end
1 1
a1n
1 1 § 1 1·
n – 1– d – n – 1¨ – ¸
an an © a 2 a1 ¹
a 1a 2 a n
= a1a 2 – n – 1a n a1 – a 2
Note: No term of H.P. can be zero and there is no general formula for finding out the sum
of n terms of a H.P.
Harmonic Mean
If a,b,c are in H.P., then b is called the H.M. between a & c.
Now a,b,c are in H.P.
1 1 1
, , are is A.P..
a b c
2 1 1

b a c
2ac
b=
ac
2ac
i.e. H.M. between a & c is
ac
164
2ab
Note: The single H.M. between a & b is .
ab
The single H.M. (H) of n positive numbers a 1,a2,.....an is given by
1 1 1 1
.......
1 a1 a 2 a 3 an 1 § 1 1 1 1·
= ¨ ....... ¸
H n n © a1 a 2 a 3 an ¹
Insertion of Harmonic Means
Let a and b be two given numbers and H1,H2.....Hn be the H.M.’s between them. Then a,
H1, H2.......Hn , b will be in H.P. Let d the common differece of the corresponding A.P.
b n 2th term of H.P..
1
b
1
n 2 – 1d
a
1 1
–
1 1 b a
n 1d d
b a n 1
a–b
d
n 1ab
1 1 1 a–b
? d
H1 a a n 1ab
1 1 1 2a – b
2d
H2 a a n 1ab
.
.
.
1 1 1 n a – b
nd
Hn a a n 1ab
2 2
E.g: Insert 4 H.M’s between and
3 13
1 1 13 3
– –
d b a 2 2
n 1 4 1
d=1
1 3 5 2
? 1 or H1
H1 2 2 5
165
1 3 7 2
2 or H 2
H2 2 2 7
1 3 9 2
3 or H 3
H3 2 2 9
1 3 11 2
4 or H 4
H4 2 2 11
Note: The sum of reciprocals of n H.M’s between two numbers is n times the reciprocal of
single H.M. between them.
i.e. if a,b are the numbers and H1,H2.....Hn be the H.M’s between them,
1 1 1 § a b·
then ........ n¨ ¸
H1 H 2 Hn © 2ab ¹
§ 1 ·
= n¨ ¸
© H.M.of aandb ¹
Solved Examples
1. If a1,a2,a3......a10 are in A.P. and h 1,h2,h3,.....h10 are in H.P. If a1=h1 = 2 and a10 = h10 = 3,
then a4 h7 is
Solution:
1
a10 = 3 3 = 2+9d d
9
h1,h2.....h10 are in H.P.
1 1
9d 1 1 1
9d 1 d1
–1
h10 h1 3 2 54
1 1 7
a4 = a1+3d = 2+3x = 2
9 3 3
1 1 18
and h 6d h 7
7 h1 7
7 18
? a4h7 = x 6
3 7
Ans: a
2. If a1,a2,a3.....an are in H.P., then a1a2 + a2a3+.........+an–1an will be equal
a. a1an b. na1an c. (n–1)a1an d. none of these
Solution:
1 1 1
, ,........... are in A.P..
a1 a 2 an
1 1 1 1 1 1
– – ....... – d
a 2 a1 a3 a2 a n a n –1
166
a1 – a 2 a2 – a3 a n –1 – a n
........ d
a1a 2 a 2a 3 a n a n –1
a1 – a2 = da1a2
a2 – a3 = da2a3
an–1–an = danan–1
Adding, we get a1– an = d(a1a2+a2a3+.......+anan–1)
·
a1 – a n
§
i.e. a1a2+a2a3+......+anan–1= 1 1
d = (n-1)d
an a1
=
a1 – a n a a n – 1
a1 – a n 1 n ¨ 1 – 1 = (n-1)d
an a1 ¸
=
Ans: c
a1an(n–1) ©
a1 – a n
d
= (n-1)a1an ¹
3. If A1,A2 ; G1,G2 and H1,H2 be two A.M.’s , G.M.’s and H.M.’s between two numbers a & b
G1G 2 H1 H 2
repectively, then x
H1 H 2 A1 A 2
a. 1 b. 0 c. 2 d. 3
Solution:
a, A1, A2, b are in A.P A1+A2 = a+b
a, G1, G2, b are in G.P G1G2 = ab
1 1 1 1
a, H1, H2, b are in H.P , , , are is A.P
a H1 H 2 b
1 1 1 1

H1 H 2 a b
G1G 2 § 1 1 · ab § 1 1 ·
Given expression is A A ¨ H H ¸ = ¨ ¸ 1
1 2 © 1 2¹ a b © a b¹
Ans: a
6
4. If nine A.M.’s and nine H.M.’s are inserted between 2&3, then A ....(where A is any of
H
the A.M.’s and H the corresponding H.M.)
Solution:
2,A1,A2.......A9,3 are in A.P.
b–a 1
d=
n 1 10
i
Ai = 2 + id = 2+ ; i = 1,2,......9
10
167
1 1 1 1 1
, , ,.......... , are in A.P..
2 H1 H 2 H9 3
a–b –1
D= ; i = 1,2,......9
(n 1)ab 60
1 1 1 § – 1·
iD i¨ ¸ ; i 1,2,.....,9
Hi 2 2 © 60 ¹
6 i
3–
Hi 10 ; i 1,2,..........9
6
? Ai + = 5 ; i = 1,2,3.........9
Hi
Ans: a
H1 2 H 20 3
5. If H1,H2.....H20 be 20 harmonic means between 2&3, then
H1 – 2 H 20 – 3
a. 20 b. 21 c. 40 d. 38
Solution:
H1 2 H 20 3

H1 – 2 H 20 – 3
1 1 1 1

2 H1 3 H 20
= +
1 1 1 1
– –
2 H1 3 H 20
1 1 1 1
d –d
= 2 2 + 3 3
1 1 1 1
– –d – d
2 2 3 3
2
–d
1 d 3 –1 2
= – 1 –1
–d d d 3d
1§2 ·
= ¨ – 1¸ – 2
d©3 ¹
168
1 § 1 1 2 ·
= u 42d – 2 ¨' 22 – 1d – 1 42d¸
d © 3 2 3 ¹
Ans: 40
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. If x,y,z are in H.P., then the value of expression log(x+z) + log(x–2y+z) will be
a. log(x–z) b. 2log(x–z) c. 3log(x–z) d. 4log(x–z)
2. If a,b,c,d are positive real numbers such that a+b+c+d = 2, then M = (a+b) (c+d) satisfies the
equation
a. 0 < Md1 b. 1dMd2 c. 2dMd3 d. 3dMd4
a1 a2 an
3. If a1,a2,a3.......,an are in H.P., then a a ..... a , a a ..... a ,............, a a ..... a
2 3 n 1 3 n 1 2 n –1
are in.
a. A.P. b. G.P. c. H.P. d. none of these
4. If a,a1,a2.....a2n–1, b are in A.P. ; a,b1,b2.....b2n–1,b are in G.P. ; a,c1,c2.....c2n–1,b are in H.P.
where a,b, are positive, then the equation a nx2 – bnx+cn = 0 has its roots
a. real and unequal b. real and equal
c. imaginary d. none of these
x x x
5. If b–c, 2b–x, b–a are in H.P, then a – , b – and c – are in
2 2 2
a. A.P b. G.P c. H.P d. none of these
2 12
6. The first two terms of a H.P are and respectively. Then the largest term is
5 13
a. 2nd term b. 6 term
th
c. 4th term d. none of these
p r
7. If a,b,c are in A.P, p,q,r are in H.P and ap, bq, cr are in G.P. then is equal to
r p
a c a c b q b q
a. – b. c. d. –
c a c a q b q b
§ 1 1 1· § 1 1 1·
8.* If a,b,c are in H.P, then the value of ¨© – ¸¹ ¨© – ¸¹ is
b c a c a b
2 1 1§ 3 2 1 ·
a. – 2 b. ¨ – ¸
bc b 4 © c 2 ca c 2 ¹
3 2
c. 2
– d. none of these
b ab
H1 a H n b
9. If H1,H2......Hn be n harmonic means between a and b, then H – a H – b is equal to
1 n
a. 0 b. n c. 2n d. 1
169
10. If a,b,c be in G.P. and a+x,b+x,c+x in H.P., then the value of x is (a,b,c are district numbers)
a. c. b. b c. a d. none of these
11.* The harmonic mean of two numbers is 4, their A.M.A and G.M.G satisfy the relation
2A +G 2=27. The numbers are
a. 6 and 3 b. 3 and 6 c. can’not find d. none of these
12. If n be a root of the equation
x2(1–ab) –x(a2+b2) – (1+ab) = 0, then H 1–Hn =
b–a
a. ab (a–b) b. ab(b–a) c. d. none of these
ab
x z
13. If x,y,z are in A.P, ax,by,cz in G.P. and a,b,c in H.P., then
z x
a c 2ac
a. 2 b. c. d. none of these
c a ac
§ 1 1 ·§ 1 1 ·
14. If a,b,c,d are in H.P., then the value of ¨© 2 – 2 ¸¹ ¨© 2 – 2 ¸¹ is
a d b c
a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4
Note:*Questions with more than one option is correct
ANSWERS
1.b 2.a 3. c 4. c 5. b
6. a 7. b 8. a,c 9. c 10. b
11. a,b 12. a 13. b 14. c
170
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - IV
Inequalities based on A.M., G.M. and H.M.
Properties of A.M, G.M & H.M

Let A, G, H be the arithmetic, geometric and harmonic means of two positive numbers a & b.
ab 2ab
Then, A = ,G= ab , H =
2 ab
a b 2ab
i) A. H = . = ab = G2
2 ab
i.e. G2 = A.H
G is the geometric mean between A & H.
Again A – G =
ab
– ab =
a b
2
>0
2 2
A>G
Also G2 = A.H
G A
>1
H G
G
> 1 or G > H
H
Combining, A > G > H
Note : If the numbers are equal, then A = G = H. Thus, A > G > H, equality holds when the
numbers are equal.
ii) The equation with a and b as its roots is x 2 – 2Ax + G2 = 0.
a A A2 G2
or if A & G be the A.M and G.M between two positive numbers a & b then
b A A2 G2
iii) If A, G, H be the A.M, G.M, and H.M between three given numbers, a, b and c , then the
equation having a,b,c as its roots is
3G 3
x – 3Ax +
3 2
x – G3 = 0
H
abc
Proof : A = a + b + c = 3A
3
G = (abc)1/3 G3 = abc
171
1 1 1
ab bc ca 1
1 a b c
H 3 3abc H
3abc 3G 3
or ab + bc + ca =
H H
Equation having a, b, c as roots is
x 3 – (a + b + c)x + (ab + bc + ca)x 2 – abc = 0
3G 3
x – 3Ax +
3
x – G3 = 0
H
Example : For distinct positive numbers x, y, z, prove that (x +y)(y + z)(z + x) > 8xyz
Solution : We have A > G
For positive numbers x and y, x + y > 2 xy
For positive numbers y and z, y + z > 2 yz
For positive numbers z and x, z + x > 2 zx
Multiplying, (x +y)(y + z)(z + x) > 8 x 2 y 2 z 2
i.e., (x +y)(y + z)(z + x) > 8xyz
Solved Examples
1. If a, b, c are positive then prove that ((1+a)(1+b)(1+c)) 7 > 77a4b4c4.
Solution : (1+a)(1+b)(1+c) = 1 + a + b + c + ab + bc + ca + abc
> a + b + c + ab + bc + ca + abc
> 7(a . b . c . ab . bc . ca . abc) 1/7 ( 'A > G )
i.e. (1+a)(1+b)(1+c) > 1 + 7(a4b4c4)1/7 > 7(a4b4c4)1/7
((1+a)(1+b)(1+c)) 7 > 77a4b4c4
2. Maximum value of xyz for positive values of x, y, z if yz + zx + xy = 12 is
a. 64 b. 43/2 c. 8 d. none of these
Solution : Apply A > G for yz, zx & xy
yz zx xy
> (x2y2z2)1/3
3
172
12
> (xyz)2/3
3
(xyz) < 43/2
xyz < 8
Ans: c
3. Maximum value of x2y3 where x & y lie in 1st quadrant in the line 3x + 4y = 5.
5 3 5 3
a. b. c. d.
16 8 8 16
Solution : x2y3 = x . x . y . y . y
3x 3x 4y 4y 4y
3x + 4y = + + + +
2 2 3 3 3
A>G
3x 3x 4 y 4 y 4 y
1/ 5
2 2 3 3 3 t § 3x . 3x . 4 y . 4 y . 4 y ·
¨ ¸
5 © 2 2 3 3 3¹
1
5 § 16 x 2 y 3 · 5
t¨ ¸
5 © 3 ¹
3
x 2y3 <
16
Ans. d
4. If a2 + b2 + c2 = 1 = x 2 + y2 + z2, then maximum value of ax + by + cz is (a, b, c, x, y, z are
positive real numbers)
a. 4 b. 3 c. 2 d. 1
Solution : A>G
a2 x2
! a 2x 2 a2 + x 2 > 2ax
2
Similarly b2 + y2 > 2by
c2 + z2 > 2cz
adding, (a2+b2+c2) + (x 2+y2+z2) > 2(ax+by+cz)
1 1
ax+by+cz <
2
Ans. d
173
a b c
5. If a, b, c are positive then the minimum value of is
bc ca ab
2 3
a. b. c. 1 d. none of these
3 2
1 1 1
Solution : Apply A > H for , ,
bc ca a b
1 1 1

bc ca a b t 3
3 abbcca
1 1 1 9
t
b c c a a b 2(a b c)
abc abc abc 9

t
bc ca ab 2
a b c 9
3t
bc ca ab 2
a b c 3
t
bc ca ab 2
Ans. b
§ 1 1 1·
6. If x, y, z are three positive numbers, then (x+y+z) ¨¨ ¸¸ > ______
©x y z¹
1
a. 3 b. 9 c. d. none of these
3
xyz
Solution : > (xyz)1/3 (' A > G)
3
1 1 1
1/ 3
Also x y z § 1 1 1· (' A > G)

! ¨¨ . . ¸¸
3 ©x y z¹
§1 1 1·
( x y z)¨¨ ¸¸
Multiplying, ©x y z¹ > 1
9
174
Ans. b (or apply A > H for x, y, z to get the result)
§ 2n ·
7. Prove that : n
C1 . ( C2) ( C3) ....... ( Cn) < ¨¨
n 2 n 3 ¸¸ n n
© n 1 ¹
Solution : Let S = nC1 + 2nC2 + 3nC3 + ....... n nCn
n n
= ¦
r 1
r..nCr = ¦
r 1
n. n–1
Cr–1 = n 2n–1
Now A > G
n

C1 n C 2 n C 2 n C3 n C 3 n C3 ...... n C n n C n ...... n C n
1 2 3 .......... n
t
C C ........ C
n
1
n
2
2 n
n
n
1
1 2 ..... n
t C C ........ C
n 1 2
n .2 n n 2 n n n ( n 1)
n (n 1) 1 2 n
n ( n 1) n 1
C2
§ 2n · 2 § 2n ·
( C1 . ( C2) ( C3) ....... ( Cn) ) d ¨¨
n n 2 n 3 n n ¸¸ = ¨¨ ¸¸
© n 1¹ © n 1¹
8. If a, b, c, d are in H.P. then

a. a+d > b+c b. ad > bc c. ad = bc d. none of these
Solution : a, b, c are in H.P b is the H.M of a & c.
ac
A.M of a & c =
2
ac
we have A > H > b a+c > 2b
2
Similarly b + d > 2c
Adding, a+b+c+d > 2b+2c a+d > b+c
Also a, b, c are in H.P. b is the H.M of a & c
G.M of a & c = ac
G > H ac > b
175
Similarly bd > c
Multiplying, abcd > bc ad > bc

Ans. a, b
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. If a+b+c = 1, then find k such that
k § 1 ·§ 1 ·§ 1 ·
! ¨ 1¸¨ 1¸¨ 1¸ > k
27abc © a ¹© b ¹© c ¹
2. A rod of fixed length k slides along the coordinate axes. If it meets the axes at A(a,0) and
2 2
§ 1· § 1·
B(0,b), then the minimum value of ¨ a ¸ ¨ b ¸ is
© a¹ © b¹
4 4
c. k 4 k2 4
2
a. 0 b. 8 d.
k2 k2
3. If positive numbers a, b, c be in H.P, the equation x 2 – kx + 2b101 – a101 – c101 = 0 (k H R) has
a. both roots imaginary b. one root is positive and other is negative
c. both roots positive d. both roots negative
2n
§ n 1·
n
4. If n H N, n ¨ ¸ >k where k is
© 2 ¹
a. (2n!)3 b. 2(n!)3 c. (n!)3 d. none of these
yz xz xy
5. If x, y, z H R+, then is is always
yz xz xy
1 1 1 1
a. < (x+y+z) b. > xyz c. < (x+y+z) d. > xyz
2 3 3 2
f f f
1
6. ¦¦¦ 3 3 3
i 0 j 0 k 0
i j k is
(i z j z k)
1 81
27 208
176
( x 1)( x 2)
7. Minimum value of : x > 3 is
x 3
a. 3 2 2 b. 3 2 2 c. 3 2 3 d. 3 2 2
8. The least value of 6tan2T+ 54cot2T + 18 is
i) 54 when A.M. > G.M is applied for 6tan 2T 54cot2T , 18
ii) 54 when A.M > G.M is applied for 6tan2T, 54cot2T and 18 is added further.
iii) 78 when tan2T = cot2T.
a. (iii) is correct b. (i) is correct (ii) is flase
c. (i) and (ii) are correct d. none of these
9. If A, G, H are A.M, G.M, H.M between the same two numbers, such that A–G=15 and
A–H=27, then the numbers are
a. 100, 50 b. 120, 30 c. 90, 60 d. none of these
10. If a, b, c H R, the square root of a 2+b2+c2–ab–bc–ac is greater than or equal to
3 3
a. max {|b–c|, |c–a|, |a–b|} b. max {|b–c|, |c–a|, |a–b|}
2 2
3
c. max {|b–c|, |c–a|, |a–b|} d. max {|b–c|, |c–a|, |a–b|}
4
11. If x1, x2, x3, x4 are four positive real numbers such that
1 1 1 1
x1 + x = 4, x 2 + x = 1, x 3 + x = 4, x 4 + x = 1 then
2 3 4 1
a. x1 = x 3 and x 2 = x 4 b. x 2 = x 4 but x 1 z x 3
c. x1 x 2 = 1, x 3x 4 = –1 d. x 3x 4 = 1, x, x 2 z 1
1 1 1
12. If a, b, c > 0 and a (1–b) > , b (1–c) > , c (1–a) > , then
4 4 4
a. never possible b. always true c. cannot be discussed d. none of these
1 1 1
13. If a, b, c are the sides of a triangle, then , , are also the sides of the triangle is
bc ca ab
a. sometimes true b. always true c. cannot be discussed d. never true
14. Given n4 < 10n for a fixed positive integer n > 2, then
a. (n+1)4 < 10n+1 b. (n+1)4 > 10n+1 c. nothing can be said d. none of these
177
Answers
1. a 2. d 3. b 4. c 5. a 6. b
7. b 8. c 9. b 10. a 11. a 12. a
13. b 14. a
178
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - V
Arithmetico Geometric Series & Special Sequences
Arithmetico-geometric Series
A series is said to be an arithmetico geometric series if its each term is formed by multiplying
the corresponding terms of an A.P and a G.P.
E.g. 1+2x+3x2+4x3+...........
Here 1,2,3,4.....are in A.P and 1,x,x 1,x 3.......are in G.P
Sum to n terms
Let Sn = a+(a+d)r + (a+2d)r 2+......(a+(n–1)d)r n–1........(1)
Multiply by r on both the sides
rSn ar a d r 2 ........a n – 1d r n .......(2)

(1) – (2) Sn 1 – r a dr dr 2 .....dr n –1 – a n – 1d r n
(n–1)terms
= a dr
1 – r – a n – 1d r
n –1
n
1– r
a

–

dr 1 – r n –1 a n – 1d r n
Sn =
1– r 1 – r 2 1– r
Sum to infinity
If r 1 and n o f , then nlim rn 0
of
a dr
? S=
1 – r 1 – r 2
Note: If we take the first term of a G.P to be b, then
Sn =
–

ab dbr 1 – r n –1 a n – 1d br n
1– r 1 – r 2 1– r
ab dbr
If r 1 , then sum to infinity, S
1 – r 1 – r 2
Use of Natural numbers
1 Let Sr = 1r + 2r + 3r +.......................+nr, then
n (n 1)
(i) S1 = 1 + 2 + 3 +..................+n =
2
n ( n 1)(2n 1)
(ii) S2 = 12 + 22 + 33 +..................+n2 =
6
179
n 2 (n 1) 2
(iii) S3 = 13 + 23 + 33 +..................+n3 = = S12
4
n (n 1)(2n 1)(3n 2 3n – 1) S2
(iv) S4 = 14 + 24 + 34 +..................+n4 = = (6S1–1)
30 5
n 2 (n 1) 2 (2n 2 2n – 1) 1
(iv) S5 = 15 + 25 + 35 +..................+n5 = = S12(4S1–1)
12 3
2 1 + 3 + 5 + ....................to n terms = n2
n (4n 2 – 1)
3 1 + 3 + 5 + .................to n terms =
2 2 2
3
4 1 + 3 + 5 + .................to n terms = n (2n2 –1)
3 3 3 2
1 – (–1) n
5 1 – 1 + 1 –..................to n terms =
2
1 – (–1) n (2n 1)
6 1 – 2 + 3 –.....................to n terms =
4
(–1) n –1 n (n 1)
7 1 – 2 + 3 –...................to n terms =
2 2 2
= (–1)n–1S1
2
(–1) n –1 (4n 3 6n 2 – 1) – 1
8 1 – 2 + 3 –.................to n terms =
3 3 3
8
Application
If nth term of a sequence is given by
Tn = an3 + bn2 + cn + d, where a, b, c, d R, then
Sn = ¦ Tn = T1 + T2 +..............+Tn
= a ¦ n 3 + b ¦ n 2 + c ¦ n + d ¦1
Note: If Tn is expressible as product of m consecutive numbers beginning with n,
i.e. Tn = n(n+1) (n+2)....(n+m –1) then
§ n m·
Sn = n(n+1) (n+2)....(n+m –1) ¨© ¸
m 1¹
n n 1
Eg. If Tn =n, then Sn (Here m = 1)
2
n n 1n 2
E.g. Tn = n(n+1), then S n = (Here m = 2)
3
Method of differences
If the differences of successive terms of a series are in A.P. or G.P., we can find Tn as follows
(a) Denote nth term and the sum up to n terms by Tn &Sn respectively
(b) Rewrite the given series with each term shifted by one place to the right
180
(c) Subtracting the above two forms of the series, find Tn.
(d) Apply Sn = ¦T n .
Note : Instead of determining the nth item of a series by the method of difference, we can use the
following steps to obtain the same
(i) If the differences T2 –T1, T3 – T2,................etc are in A.P. Then take the nth term as
Tn = an2 + bn + c, a, b, c R
Determine a, b, c by putting n = 1, 2, 3 and equating them with the values of corresponding
terms of the given series.
(ii) If the differences T2 –T1, T3 –T2, ...........etc are in G.P , with common ratio r, then take Tn=
arn–1 + bn + c, a, b, c R
(iii) If the differences of the differences computed in step (i) are in A.P, then take T n = an3 +
bn2 + cn +d
Determine a, b, c by putting n = 1, 2, 3, 4 and equating them with the values of corresponding
(iv) If the differences of differences computed in step (i) are in G.P with common ratio r, then take
Tn = arn–1 + bn2 + cn + d
Summation by " ¦ " (sigma) operator
n
i. ¦T r T1 T2 ...... Tn
r 1
ii. ¦1 1 1 1 ...... ntimes n

r 1
n n
iii. ¦ kTr k ¦ Tr ; k is a constant

r 1 r 1
¦ T r T = ¦ T r ¦ T
n n n
1 1
iv. r r r r
r 1 r 1 r 1
n n
§ n ·§ n ·
v. ¦ ¦ Ti Tj ¨ ¦ Ti ¸ ¨ ¦ Tj ¸
© i 1 ¹© j 1 ¹
j 1 i 1
(Note that i & j are independent here)
vi Now consider ¦ ¦ f i u f j Here three types of terms occur, for which i < j, i > j and
0 d i jd n
i = j. Also note that the sum of terms when i < j equal to the sum of the terms when i > j
if f(i) and f(j) are symmetrical. In such case,
181
n n
¦ ¦ f if j ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) + ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j)

i 0 j 0 0d j i d n 0 d i jd n i j
= 2 ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j)
0d i jd n i j
n n
¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) – ¦¦ f (i)f ( j)

0 d i jd n i 0 j 0 i j
2
When f(i) and f(j) are not symmetrical, the sum can be obtained by listing all the terms.
4 3
Example:1 ¦ ¦ ij
i 1 j 1
¦ i1 2 3 ¦ i 2i 3i
(1+2+3) + (2+4+6) + (3+6+9) + (4+8+12) = 6+12+18+24 = 60
4 3 4 3
4 x 5 3x 4
Also, ¦ ¦ ij ¦ i¦ j 2
x
2
60 (Since i & j are independent)
i 1 j 1 i 1 j 1
Note that 2 ¦ a i a j a1 a 2 ..... a n – a 21 a 22 ..... a 2 n

i j 1
Example: 2 ¦ ¦1 0 d i d j n
n n
¦ ¦1 – ¦ ¦1
i 1 j 1 i j
=
2
§ n ·§ n · n
¨ ¦ 1¸ ¨ ¦ 1¸ – ¦ 1
= © i 1 ¹© j 1 ¹ j 1
2
n.n – n n n – 1 n ij 1 2 3 ...... n
= C2
2 2
1 1.1 1.2 1.3 ...... 1.n
n n
Example:3Consider ¦ ¦ ij
i 1 j 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 ...... 2.n
There are 3 types of terms in this summation,
i. Those terms when i < j (upper triangle) 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 ...... 3.n
ii. Those terms when i > j (lower triangle) ..
iii. Those terms when i = j (diagonal) ...
.
It is shown in the diagram
n n.1 n.2 n.3 ...... n.n
182
n n
¦ ¦ ij = sum of terms in upper triangle + sum of terms in lower triangle + sum of terms in
i 1 j 1
diagonal.
n n
¦ ¦ ij = 2 ¦ ¦ ij ¦ ¦ ij
i 1 j 1 0 d i d jd n i j
(' sum of terms in upper + lower tringles are same)
n n n n n
¦ ¦ ij ¦ ¦ ij – ¦ ¦ ij ¦ ¦ i – ¦ i 2
i 1 j 1 i j i 1 j 1 i 1
0 d i d jd n
2 2
n n 1 n n 1 n n 12n 1
. –
= 2 2 6
2
n n - 1 ( 3 n + 2 )
2
=
24
Solved Examples
1. Find sum of the series to n terms
Solution:
1+3x+5x2+7x3+.........
Let Sn = 1+3x+5x 2+7x 3+.........+(2n–3)x n–2 + (2n–1)x n–1........(1)
xSn = x+3x 2+5x 3+............... +(2n–3)x n–1+(2n–1)x n ........(2)
(1) – (2) given
Sn (1–x) = 1+ (2x+2x 2+2x 3+.........+2x n–1) – (2n–1)x n
n–1 terms
§ 1 – x n –1 ·
1 2 x¨ ¸ – 2n – 1x
n
=
© 1– x ¹
1
2x –¨

1 – x n –1 § 2n – 1· n
¸x

? Sn =
1– x 1 – x 2 © 1 – x ¹
1 1 1
2. 3 x9 x 27 x........tof
4 8 16
1
3
Solution:
1 1 1 1 2 3
3 4 x9 8 x 27 16 x........tof 3 4 x3 8 x 316 x........tof
1 2 3
..........tof
= 3 4 8 16
= 3S..............(1)
1 2 3
Where S = ..........tof................( 2)
4 8 16
183
1 1 2
S = ..........tof.......................(3)
2 8 16
§ 1· 1 1 1
(2) – (3) S ¨©1 – ¸¹ = ..........tof
2 4 8 16
1
4 1
=
1 2
1–
2
? S=1
Substituting in (1)
1 1 1
3 4 x9 8 x 27 16........tof = 31 3
Ans: a
f f
m2n
3. ¦ ¦ 3m n.3m m.3n
m 1n 1
16 9
9 16
f f
m2n
Solution: Let S = ¦¦ m
m 1 n 1 3 n.3 m.3
m n

f f
1
= ¦¦ §3
m 1n 1 · § 3m 3n ·
m
¨ ¸¨ ¸
© m ¹© m n ¹
f f
1 § 3m 3n ·
S= ¦ ¦ a a
m 1n 1 an
............(i) ¨ wherea m
© m
& an
n¹
¸
m m
Intercharging m & n
f f
1
S= ¦ ¦ a a
m 1n 1 an
...............(ii)
n m
Adding (i) & (ii)

f f
1
2S = ¦ ¦
m 1n 1 a ma n
f f
mn
= ¦¦ 3 mn
m 1n 1
184
§ f m · § f n · Where f
m f
n 1 2 3
= ¨ ¦ m ¸ ¨ ¦ n ¸ = s1 s1 =
©m 13 ¹ © n 1 3 ¹
¦ 3m ¦3
m 1
n =
3
+ 2 + 3 + ........
3 3
f ) =S
m 1
1 2 3
§ 3· § 3· S=
1
+ 2 + 3 + ........ f _ (i)
= ¨ ¸ .¨ ¸ 3 3 3
© 4¹ © 4¹
1 1 1 2 3
9 S = 2 + 3 + 4 + ........ f _ (ii)
2S = 3 3 3 3
16 Subtratiy equation (ii) From (i)
9 2 1 1 1 1
S = S = + 2 + 3 + ........
32 3 3 3 3
2 1
S=
3
1 3
Ans: d S=
4
4. Sum to n terms of the series 1 2–22+32–42+..........is
Solution: Clearly nth term is negative or positive according n is even or odd.
Case I when n is even.
In this case the series is
(12–22)+(32–42)+..................+((n–1) 2–n2)
– n ( n 1)
= –{1+2+3+......+(n–1)+n} =
2
Case II when n is odd.
In this case the series is
(12–22)+(32–42)+..................+{(n–2) 2 – (n–1)2}+ n2
– n ( n – 1)
= n2
2
– n n 2n 2 n 2 n n (n 1)
=
2 2 2
5. Find the sum of all possible products of first n natural numbers taken two by two
1 ° n n ½°
Solution: ¦ ¦ x i x j = ®¦ ¦ ij – ¦ ¦ ij¾
1d i d jd n 2 °̄ i 1 j 1 i j °¿
1 °§ n n 1· n n 12n 1 ½°
2
= ®¨ ¸ – ¾
2 °̄© 2 ¹ 6 °¿
1
= n n 1n – 13n 2
24
1 2 3
6. Find sum to n terms of ..........
1 1 1 1 2 2 1 32 34
2 4 2 4
n n
1 n2 n 1 – n2 – n 1
Tn
1 n n
2 4

n n 1 n2 – n 1
2

2 n2 n 1 n2 – n 1
185
[ 1 – 3 3 – 7
1§ 1 1 · 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
.....
Tn ¨ 2 – 2 ¸ – 2

2 © n – n 1 n n 1¹ Sn = 2 2
n - n 1 n +n 1
Putting n = 1,2,3......n and adding
1 1 ½ n2 n
Sn ¦ Tn ®1 – 2 ¾
2 ¯ n n 1¿
2 n2 n 1
3 5 7 9
7. .........tof is
4 36 144 400
3 5 7 9
Solution: .........tof
4 36 144 400
3 5 7 9
= ..........tof
1x 2 2x3 3x 4 4x52
2 2 2
22 – 12 32 – 2 2 4 2 – 32
= ..........tof
12 x 2 2 2 2 x 32 32 x 4 2
§1 1· § 1 1· § 1 1·
= ¨ 2 – 2 ¸ ¨ 2 – 2 ¸ ¨ 2 – 2 ¸ ..........tof
©1 2 ¹ © 2 3 ¹ © 3 4 ¹
1
= 1
12
Ans: b
8. Find the nth term of the following series

i. 3+7+13+21+.......
Solution:
1st consecutive differences 4,6,8,........are in A.P.
? Tn = an2+bn+c
Putting n = 1,2,3,
a+b+c = 3, 4a+2b+c = 7, 9a+3b+c = 13
a = 1, b = 1, c = 1
? Tn = n2+n+1
ii. 5+7+13+31+85+..........
Solution:
1st consecutive differences 2,6,18,54,....... are in G.P. with common ratio 3
? Tn = a.3n–1+bn+c
Putting n = 1,2,3 we get
a+b+c = 5, 3a+2b+c =7, 9a+3b+c = 13
a = 1, b = 0, c = 4
Tn = 3n–1+4
186
Vn method
1 1 1
1. If Sn .........
a1a 2 ......a r a 2 a 3 ......a r 1 a n a n 1a n ......a n r –1
1 1
Tn ,Vn (leave 1st term in denominator of Tn)
a n a n 1......a n r –1 a n 1......a n r –1
1 1
Vn–Vn–1 –
a n 1a n 2 ......a n r –1 a n a n 1......a n r – 2
1
= a n – a n r –1
a n a n 1......a n r –1
Vn–Vn–1= Tn (1–r)d
–1 –1
Tn = (Vn – Vn –1 ) Sn (Vn – V0 )
d(r – 1) d (r – 1)
1 1 1 n
E.g ..........
1.2 1.3 n (n 1) n 1
1 1 1 1§ 1 1 ·
................. ¨ – ¸
1.2.3 2.3.4 n n 1n 2 2 © 1.2 n 1n 2¹
1 1 1 1§ 1 1 ·
................. ¨ – ¸
1.2.3.4 2.3.4.5 n n 1n 2n 3 3 © 1.2.3 n 1n 2n 3¹
2. If Sn = a1a2.....ar+a2a3......ar+1+.......+anan+1.....an+r–1
Tn = anan+1.......an+r–1 Vn = anan+1.......an+r–1an–r
Vn–Vn–1 = anan+1.....an+r – an–1an......an+r–1
= anan+1.....an+r–1 (an+r – an–1)
= Tn (r+1)d
1 1
Tn = (Vn – Vn –1 ) Sn (Vn – V0 )
d(r 1) d (r 1)
1.2+2.3+.....+n(n+1) = n(n+1) n 2
3
1.2.3.4+2.3.4.5+........+ n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) = n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3) n 4
5
Alternative method
1 1 1
1. S ..............
1.2.3 2.3.4 n (n 1)(n 2)
187
1 3 –1 4 – 2 ( n 2) – n ½
= ® ............. ¾
2 ¯1.2.3 2.3.4 n (n 1)(n 2) ¿
1 § 1 1 · § 1 1 · § 1 1 ·½
= ®¨ – ¸ ¨ – ¸ ...... ¨ – ¸¾
2 ¯© 1.2 2.3¹ © 2.3 3.4 ¹ © n (n 1) (n 1)(n 2) ¹ ¿
1 1 1 ½
= ® – ¾
2 ¯1.2 (n 1)(n 2) ¿
(n )(n 1)(n 2)(n 3)

2. 1.2.3+2.3.4+......+n(n+1)(n+2) =
(3 1)
t n ( n 3)
=
31
Tn (n m)
i.e. Sum of the product of m consecutive natural Sn
m 1
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. If R 0, ʌ denote the set of values which satisfies the equation
2 1 cosx cos2x cos3 x ......

4 , then R =
– ʌ½ ʌ 2ʌ ½ – ʌ 2ʌ ½ ʌ – 2ʌ ½
a. ® ¾ b. ® , ¾ c. ® , ¾ d. ® , ¾
¯ 3 ¿ ¯3 3 ¿ ¯ 3 3¿ ¯3 3 ¿
n i j
2. Find the value of the expression ¦ ¦ ¦ 1

i 1 j 1 k 1
20
n
3. If in a series tn = , Then ¦ t n is equal to
n 1! n 1
20!–1 21!–1 1
a. b. c. d. none of these
20! 21! 2(n – 1)!
§1 1 1 ·
4. The value of 0.2log 5¨
©
......f ¸
4 8 16 ¹ is
1
a. 1 b. 2 c. d. 4
2
5. lim (1+3–1) (1+3–2) (1+3–4)(1+3–8)........ 1 3 –2n is equal to
nof
1 3
a. 1 b. c. d. none of these
2 2
188
6. lim 1.2.3 2.3.4 3.4.5 ..........uptonterms is equal to
nof
n 1.2 2.3 3.4 .........uptonterms
3 1 1 5
a. b. c. d.
4 4 2 4
1 2 1 2 1
7.* Sum to infinite terms of the series tan –1 tan –1 tan –1 tan –1 tan –1 ......
2 9 8 25 18
1 1
a. tan –1 3 b. cot –1 c. tan –1 d. cot –1 3
3 3
f (x )
8. If f(x) = a0+a1x+a2x 2+......+anxn +.......and =b +b x+b2x 2+.......+b nx n+......If a0 = 1 and
1– x 0 1
b1 = 3 and b10 = k11–1, and a0, a1,a2,......are in G.P then k is
1
2
1 1
9. The value of n for which 704+ (704)+ (704)+......up to n terms =
2 4
1 1
1984 – (1984)+ (1984).......upto n terms is
2 4
a. 5 b. 3 c. 4 d. 10
10. If 12+22+32+......+2003 2 =(2003) (4007) (334) and (1) (2003) +2(2002) +(3) (2001).......+
(2003) (1) = (2003) (334) (x), then x equals
a. 2005 b. 2004 c. 2003 d. 2001
11. Read the passage and answer the following questions
Let T1,T2 .....Tn be the terms of a sequence and let (T 2–T1) = T21, (T3–T2) = T21 ,......
(Tn–Tn–1) = T1n–1
Case I: If T11, T21...... T1n–1 are in A.P., then T n is quardratic in ‘n’. If T 11–T21,
T21–T31,....are in A.P., then Tn is cubic is n.
Case II: If T11, T21...... Tn1–1 are not in A.P., but in G.P. , then T n = arn+b where r is the
common ratio of the G.P. T11, T21,T31.....and a,b R. Again if T11, T21...... Tn1–1 are not in
G.P., but T21–T11,T31–T21,..... are in G.P., then T n is of the form ar n–1+bn+c and r is
the C.R. of the G.P. T 21–T11,T31–T21, ...... and a,b,c R.
i. The sum of 20 terms of the series 3+7+14+24+37+...... is
ii. The 100th term of the series 3+8+22+72+226+1036+.....is divisible by 2 n,then maxi
mum value of n is
a. 4 b. 2 c. 3 d. 5
Tn
iii. For the series 2+12+36+80+150+252+....., the value of lim is (where Tn is the nth
n of n3
term)
189
1
a. 2 b. c. 1 d. none of these
2
12.* Match the following
Column I Column II
5 2 13
a. If the sum of the series ...... p. 28
7 3 21
up to n terms is 5, then n =
b. A term of the sequence 1,3,6,......is q. 10
c. Sum of the series 1+2+3+......upto
7 terms is r. 36
d. If ¦n 3
1296 , then ¦ n is equal to s. 21
Note:* QuestionS with more than one option is correct
ANSWERS
n ( n 1)( n 2)
1. b 2. 3. b 4. d
6
5. c 6. a 7. a,b 8. a
9. a 10. a 11. (i) c (ii) c (iii) c
12. a o q,s; b o p,q,r,s; c o p; d o p
190
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - VI
Sequences and Series - Problem Solving
Sequence
A sequence is a function of natural numbers with codomain as the set of real numbers. It is said to
be finite or infinite according it has finite or infinite number of terms. Sequence a1, a2,........ an is
usually denoted by {an} or <an>
Series
By adding or subtracting the terms of a sequence we get a series.
Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)
It is a sequence in which the difference between two consecutive terms is the same.
For a sequence {an} which is in A.P, nth term an=a+(n–1)d= A (last term) which is always a linear
expression in n)
d=an–an–1 (If d= 0, then sequence is a constant sequence. if d>0 the sequence is increasing; if
d<0,the sequence is decreasing)
nth term from the end an1 = A +(n–1)(–d)
= A –(n–1)d
n
°° 2 2a (n – 1)d
Sum to n terms = ® or
° n
¯° (a A)
2
1
(Sn is a quadratic expression in n; common difference = coefficient of n2)
2
Also an = Sn–Sn–1
Arithmetic mean
ac
If a, b, c are in A.P, then b= is called the single arithmetic mean of a & c. Let a & b be two
2
given numbers and A1, A2,........... An are n A.M’s between them. Then a, A1,A2,...An, b are in A.P.
b–a
Common difference of this sequence d= .
n 1
A1= a+d, A2= a+2d etc. we can find all the arithmetic means.
Properties of A.P.
1 If a1, a2, a3, ........ are in A.P; then a1 r k, a2 r k,a3 r k,..................... are also in A.P..
a1 a 2 a 3
2 If a1, a2, a3,................. are in A.P, then a1 O , a2 O ,a3 O ,.................... and , , ..............
O O O
are also in A.P ( O z 0)
3 If a1, a2,.......... an are in A.P, then an,an–1,...............a2,a1 is also an A.P with common difference (–
d)
4 If a1, a2, a3, ..................and b1, b2, b3, .......................... are two A.P.s then a1 r b1,a2 r b2,a3 r b3,.....
are also in A.P.
191
5 If a1, a2, a3,.............. and b1, b2, b3,................are two A.P.s then a1b1, a2b2, a3b3,...........and
a1 a 2 a 3
, , ,................. are NOT in A.P..
b1 b 2 b 3
6 If 3 numbers are in A.P we may take them as a–d, a, a+d. If 4 numbers are in A.P, we can take
them as a–3d, a–d, a+d, a+3d.
7 In an arithmetic progression, sum of the terms equidistant form the beginning and end is a constant
and equal to sum of first and last term.
ie for {an},
a1+an = a2+an–1=a3+an–2=......
a r –k a rk
Also ar = , 0 d k d n–r..
2
8 Sum of n arithmetic means between two given numbers a & b is n times the single A.M between
them .
§a b·
ie. A1+A2+...............+An = n ¨ ¸
© 2 ¹
n (middleterm);if nisodd.
°
9 Also Sn = a1+a2+......+an= ® n (sum of two middle terms); if n is even
°̄ 2
Geometric Progression (G.P.)

It is a sequence in which the ratio of any two consecutive terms is the same. For a sequence {an}
which is in G.P. nth term an = arn–1 (last term)
an
Common ratio r = a (r z 0 . If r>1, the sequence is an increasing sequence, if 0<r<1 then the
n –1
sequence is decreasing )
n –1
§1·
n term from the end a = an ¨ ¸
th 1
(an1 = nth term from end)
n
©r¹
Note : No term of G.P. can be zero
a (r n – 1)
° ,rz1
Sum to n terms Sn = ® r – 1
°na , r 1
¯
a
If |r|<1, the sum of the infinite G.P is given by S f =
1– r
Geometric mean
If a, b, c are in G.P, then b2 = ac or b = ac is called the single geometric mean of a & c. Let a &
b be two given numbers and G1, G2, .....Gn are n G.M.s between them. Then a, G1, G2,.........Gn,
192
1
§ b · n 1
b are in G.P. Common ratio of this sequence r = ¨ ¸
©a¹
G1, = ar, G2 = ar2 etc. we can find all the geometric means.
Properties of G.P.
a1 a 2 a 3
1 If a1, a2, a3................... are in G.P., then a1k, a2k, a3k,.............. and , , , ...............are
k k k
also in G.P (k z 0).
1 1 1
2 If a1, a2, a3,................ are in G.P., then a , a , a ,....................and a1n, a2n, a3n,..........are also
1 2 3
in G.P.
3 If a1, a2, a3,......... an are in G.P with common ratio r, then an, an–1.............a2, a1 is also in G.P. With
1
common ratio .
r
4 If a1, a2, a3........ and b1, b2, b3,.......... are two G.P.s then a1 r b1, a2 r b2, a3 r b3,........ are NOT in
G.P.
5 If a1, a2, a3, .............. and b1, b2, b3,................are two G.P.s then a1b1, a2b2, a3b3,...........and
a1 a 2 a 3
b1 , b 2 , b 3 ,.............. are also in G.P.
.P.
a
6 If 3 numbers are in G.P., we may take them as , a, ar. If 4 numbers are in G.P., we can take them
r
a a
as , , a r, a r3.
r3 r
7 In a geometric progression, product of the terms equidistant from the beginning and end is a
constant and equal to product of first and last term.
ie For {an}
a1an = a2 an–1 = a3 an–2 =.......
Also ar =
a r – k a r k , 0 d k d n–r..
8 Product of n geometric means between two given numbers a & b is nth power of the single G.M.
between them.
ie G1G2G3..........Gn = ab n
9 If a1, a2, a3,............... are in G.P. (ai>0 i), then loga1,loga2,loga3,...... are in A.P. Its converse is
also true.
Harmonic Progression (H.P.)
A sequence is said to be in H.P if the reciprocals of its terms are in A.P.
1 1 1
ie. if a1,a2,a3,....... an are in H.P., then a , a ,...... a are in A.P..
1 2 n
193
For a sequence {an} which is in H.P.,
1 a1a 2
nth term an = =
1 § 1 1 · a 2 (n – 1)(a1 – a 2 )
(n – 1)¨¨ – ¸¸
a1 © a 2 a1 ¹
1 a 1a 2 a n
nth term from end an1 = =
1 § 1 1 · a 1a 2 – a n (n – 1)(a 1 – a 2 )
– (n – 1)¨¨ – ¸¸
an © a 2 a1 ¹
Note : No term of H.P. can be zero. There is no general formula for finding out the sum of n terms
of H.P.
Harmonic mean
2ac
If a,b,c are in H.P; then b = is called the single H.M. between a & c. Let a & b be two given
ac
numbers and H1, H2,..............,Hn are n H.M.s between them. then a, H1, H2,...... Hn, b are in H.P.
The common difference d of the corresponding A.P is
a–b
d=
(n 1)ab
1 1 1 1
= d, = 2d etc. we can find all the harmonic means.
H1 a H2 a
Note: The sum of reciprocals of n Harmonic means between two given numbers is n times the
reciprocal of single H.M. between them.
§1 1·
1 1 1 ¨ ¸
ie + +....... = n ©a b¹
H1 H 2 Hn
2
Note : If a, b, c are three successive terms of a sequence. Then
a
° a a ,b,careinA.P.
°
a–b °a
= ® a ,b,careinG.P.
b–c °b
°a
° c a ,b,careinH.P.
¯
Relation between A.M., G.M., and H.M.
For positive numbers a1, a2, a3, .................an
a1 a 2 ....... a n
A.M. = A =
n
194
1
G.M. = G = a a .......a n
1 2 n
n
H.M = H = 1 1 1 ,
......
a1 a 2 an
A t G t H and G2 = AH.
(equality holds if a1 = a2 =...............an)
2 2
a 1 a 2 ...... a n
2
a1 a 2 ........ a n
Note : Also t
n n
(Root mean square inequality)
Note : The quadratic equation having a, b as its roots is x2–2Ax+G2 = 0 and a : b = A+ A 2 – G 2
:A– A 2 – G 2 where A,G are respectively the A.M. and G.M. of a & b
Note : Formation of progressions
Two consecutive terms determine the required progression. If two numbers a & b are given, then
(i) a, b, 2b–a is A.P.
b2
(ii) a, b, is G.P..
a
ab
(ii) a, b, is H.P..
2a – b
Solved Examples.
1 If the p , q and r terms of an A.P are in GP, then the common ratio of the G.P is
th th th
pq r–q p–r

(a) (b) (c) (d) None of these
rq q–p p–q
Solution : Tp, Tq, Tr are in G.P
Tq
Tr Tq Tr
T – 1 –1
p
= Tq Tp = Tq
Tq – Tp Tr – Tq Tq Tr – Tq
Tp = Tq ? T = T –T
p q p
Tq
(A (r – 1)D) – (A (q – 1)D) r–q
T = (A (q – 1)D) – (A (p – 1)D) = q – p
p
Ans : (b)
2 If 4a2+9b2+16c2 = 2(3ab+6bc+4ca), where a, b, c are non–zero real numbers then a, b, c are in
(a) A.P. (b) G.P. (c) H.P. (d) None of these
Solution : Multiply by 2 on both sides
195
4a2+4a2+9b2+9b2+16c2+16c2–12ab–24bc–16ca = 0
(2a–3b)2+(3b–4c)2+(4c–2a)2=0
2a=3b=4c= O
O O O
a ,b ,c
2 3 4
1 1 1
2,3,4 are in AP , , are in H.P..
2 3 4
O O O
, , are in HP gives
2 3 4
a, b, c are in HP
Ans (c)
3 If a, a1, a2, a3, ..........,a2n, b are in AP and a, g1, g2, g3, .....................g2n, b are in G..P. and h is the
single harmonic mean of a & b, then
a1 a 2n a 2 a 2 n –1 a n a n 1
g 1g 2 n + g 2g 2n –1 +...................+ g n g n 1 is equal to
2n n
(a) (b) 2nh (c) nh (d)
h h
Solution :
a1+a2n = a2+a2n–1 =......................= an+an+1 = a+b and
g1g2n = g2.g2n–1=.....................=gn.gn+1 = ab
2ab
Also h =
ab
ab ab ab
? Given expression = + +............. (n times)
ab ab ab
ab n .2 2n
=n = =
ab h h
Ans : (a)
S
4 If 0<x< , then the minimum value of
2
(sinx+cosx+cosec2x)3 is
27 27
(a) 27 (b) (c) (d) None
2 4
Solution : Apply A.M t GM
1
sinx cosx cosec2x
t sinx.cosx.cosec2x 3
3
1
sinx cosx cosec2x § sin x cos x · 3
t ¨ ¸
3 © 2 sin x cos x ¹
196
Cubing both sides
sin x cos x cos ec2x 3 1
t 2
27
27
Minimum of sinx cosx cosec2x 3 =
2
Ans : (b)
5 Sum of certain odd consecutive positive integers is 572 –132, then the integers are
(a) 25, 27, 29,..........111 (b) 27, 29, ..............113
(c) 29, 31, 33,...........115 (d) None of these
Solution :
(2m+1)+(2m+3)+..............n terms = 572–132
n
{2.(2m+1)+(n–1)2} = 572–132
2
n(2m+n)=572–132
n2+2mn+m2–m2=572–132
(n+m)2–m2=572–132
n+m =57 and m = 13, Solve to get n = 44
Hence, the series is
27, 29, 31,.......................,113
Ans : (b)
xy yz
6 If x, y, z are three positive numbers in A.P, then the minimum value of + is
2y – x 2y – z
1
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) (d) None of these
4
Solution :
zx
put y= in the given expression
2
zx zx
x z
= 2 + 2
zx –x zx–z
3x z 3z x
=
2z 2x
3x 1 3z 1
=
2z 2 2 x 2
x z
3§x z · 2 z x x z
= ¨ ¸ Now ' AM t GM z x t . t2
2© z x¹ 2 2 x z z x
197
3
t 2 u 2+1 = 4
Ans : (b)
7 If n arithmetic means are inserted between 50 and 200, and n harmonic means are inserted
between the same two numbers, then a2.hn–1 is equal to
(a) 500 (b) 5000 (c) 10,000 (d) None of these
Solution :
50, a1, a2,..................an, 200 are in AP ............................................... (1)
Also, 50, h1, h2,................,hn 200 are in H.P
1 1 1 1 1
, h , h ,..................... h , are in AP
50 1 2 n 200
1 1 1 1 1
, h , h ,..................... h , are in AP
200 n n –1 1 50
Multiply by 200×50 = 10,000
10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
50, h , h , ......................... h , h , 200 are in AP................. (2)
n n –1 2 1
Now (1) and (2) are identical.
10,000
a2 = h n –1 gives a2.hn–1 = 10,000
Ans : (c)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1 If a1, a2, .......... an are positive real numbers whose product is a fixed number c, then the minimum
value of a1+a2+.........+an–1+2an is
(a) n(2c)1/n (b) (n+1)c1/n (c) 2nc1/n (d) (n+1)(2c)1/n
3
2 If a, b, c are in A.P. and a2, b2, c2 are in G.P. If a<b<c and a+b+c = , then the value of a is
2
1 1 1 1 1 1
(a) (b) (c) – (d) –
2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2
3 Let ƒ(x) = ax +bx+c, a z 0 and ' =b2 – 4ac. If D + E , D 2+ E 2 & D 3+ E 3 are in G.P,
2
.P, then
(a) ' z 0 (b) b ' =0 (c) c'= 0 (d) bc z 0
bc bc b–c
4 If = =3 , then a, b, c, d are in
ad ad a –d
(a) A.P (b) G.P (c) H.P (d) A.G.P.
5* The 4th term of the A.G.P. 6, 8, 8, ............. is
32 64
(a) 0 (b) 12 (c) (d)
3 9
6 If x= 111......1(20digits), y=333.........3(10digits) and
198
x – y2
z=222...........2(10digits) then =
z
1
(a) 1 (b) 72 (c) (d) 3
2
7 Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
An odd integer is the difference of two squares of integers.
The cube of an integer is difference of two squares.
The cube of an odd integer can be expressed as difference of two squares in two different
ways.
The difference of the cubes of two consecutive integers is difference of two squares.
(i) If 103= a2–b2, then a–b =
(a) 5 (b) 0 (c) 10 (d) 15
(ii) If 9 =a –b = c –d , a+b+c+d =
3 2 2 2 2
(a) 720 (b) 750 (c) 800 (d) 810

(iii) 15 –14 =a –b , ab =
3 3 2 2
(a) 90000 (b) 95940 (c) 99550 (d) 99540

8 Match the following :-
a n 1 b n 1
For the given number a and b, is
a n bn
Column I Column II
(a) A.M. (p) for n=1
(b) G.M (q) for n=1/2
(c) H.M. (r) for n=0
(s) for n= –1/2
(t) for n= –1
9 The sum of the products of the ten numbers r 1, r 2, r 3, r 4, r 5 taking two at a time is
(a) 165 (b) –55 (c) 55 (d) None of these
10 Let a1 = 0 and a1, a2, a3,...............an be real numbers such that |ai| = |ai–1+1| for all i, then the A.M.
of the numbers a1, a2, a3................ an has the value A where
–1 –1 –1
(a) A< (b) A<–1 (c) At (d) A=
2 2 2
Note : Questions with more than one option is correct.
Answers
1. a 2. d 3. c 4. c 5. c,d 6. a 7. (i) c (ii) d (iii) d
8. a o r, b o s, c o t 9. b 10. c
199
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - VII
Sequences and Series - Problem Solving
Some important Logarithmic and Exponential formulae
1 If ax = y, then x = log ay
2 log aa = 1 & log a1 = 0
3 a log a n n
4 logamn = logam+logan
§m·
5 loga ¨ ¸ = logam – logan
©n¹
6 logamn = n logam
log c a
7 logba = log b
c
m
8 log a n a m =
n
1
9 logba = log b
a
x2 x3 x4
10 loge (1+x) = x – + – +............
2 3 4
x2 x3 x4
11 loge (1 – x) = – x – – – ............
2 3 4
§ x2 x4 x6 ·
12 loge(1+x) (1–x) = loge(1–x ) = –2 ¨¨
2 ............¸¸
© 2 4 6 ¹
§1 x · § x3 x5 ·
13 loge ¨ ¸ ¨
= 2¨ x ................... ¸¸
©1 – x ¹ © 3 5 ¹
1 1 1
14 loge 2 = 1 – + – +..................
2 3 4
x x2 x3
15 e = 1 + + + + ...............
x
1! 2! 3!
§ x2 x4 ·
16 e +e = 2 ¨¨1
x –x ............¸¸
© 2! 4! ¹
§ x x3 x5 ·
17 e –e = 2 ¨¨
x –x .......... .. ¸¸
© 1! 3! 5! ¹
200
1 1 1
18 e = 1+ + + +...............
1! 2! 3!
e is an irrational number & it lies between 2 & 3. e # 2.7183
y2 y3
19 ay = e y log e a = 1+y(logea) + (logea)2+ (logea)3+..................
2! 3!
20 log2 log2 ............... 2 = n where n is the number of square roots
21 log b
a a = b b
log a
Vn - Method
(i) To find the sum of series of the form
1 1 1
a 1a 2 ............a r + a 2 a 3 .......... ..a r 1 + ....................+ a n a n 1............a n r –1 where a1, a2,
§ 1 ·
¨¨ Here Tn ¸
© a n a n 1............a n r –1 ¸¹
1
........are in A.P. Let Vn = a a ............a (avoiding first term for Vn ie an in Tn)
n 1 n 2 n r –1
–1 1
Tn = (Vn–Vn–1) = (V –V )
d (r – 1) d(r – 1) n–1 n
put n = 1, 2, 3............. n and add to get Sn.
1
Sn = T1+T2+........Tn = (V0–Vn)
d(r – 1)
1 § 1 1 ·
= ¨¨ – ¸
d(r – 1) © a1a 2 ......a r –1 a n 1a n 2 ......a n r –1 ¸¹
1 1 1 1 § 1 1 ·
¨¨ – ¸
(n 1)(n 2) ¸¹
Eg: (a) + + ............... + =
1.2.3 2 .3 .4 n ( n 1)(n 2) 1.(3 – 1) © 1.2
1 1
= –
4 2(n 1)(n 2)
1 1 1
(b) + + ..........
1.2.3.4 2 .3 .4 .5 n (n 1)(n 2)(n 3)
1 § 1 1 ·
¨¨ – ¸
(n 1)(n 2)(n 3) ¸¹
=
1.(4 – 1)© 1.2.3
(ii) Summation of series of the form a1a2......ar+a2a3........ar+1+.....................+anan+1.........an+r–1 where
a1, a2.......are in A.P
201
Here Tn = anan+1.........an+r–1
Let Vn = anan+1..............an–r+1an–r (Take one term extra in Tn for Vn)
1
Tn = (V –V ).
(r 1)d n n–1
Put n = 1, 2, 3 ........and add to get Sn
1 1
Sn = T1+T2+.............+Tn = (Vn–V0) = (a a ..........an+ r – a0a1a2...........ar) where
d(r 1) d(r 1) n n+1
a0=a1 – d
1 n ( n 1)(n 2)
Eg (a) 1.2+2.3 +....................+ n (n+1) = ((n+1)(n+2) – 0.1.2) =
1.(2 1) 3
(b) 1.2.3.4 + 2.3.4.5 +...........................+ n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)
1
= (n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4) – 0.1.2.3.4)
1.(4 1)
1
= n(n+1)(n+2)(n+3)(n+4)
5
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1 If the sides of a triangle are in A.P and the greatest angle of the triangle is double the smallest, then
the ratio of sides of the triangle is
(a) 3 : 4 : 5 (b) 4 : 5 : 6 (c) 5 : 6 :7 (d) None of these
Solution :
Applying sine rule, we have
A
a–d a a d
= =
sin T sin(S – 3T) sin 2T S –T
a–d
a–d a ad a+d
= =
sin T 3 sin T – 4 sin T
3
2 sin T cos T
a –d a ad ad B
2T T
C
= = gives cos T =
1 3 – 4 sin 2 T 2 cos T 2(a – d )
a
Also, 3–4sin2 T =
a–d
2
a §a d· a
3–4(1–cos T ) =2
gives –1+ ¨ ¸ =
a–d ©a –d¹ a–d
4ad
= a 4ad = a2–ad gives a = 5d
a–d
? sides a–d : a : a+d
5d–d : 5d : 5d+d = 4 : 5: 6
Ans : (b)
202
2 The sum of
2 3
3 1 4 §1· 5 §1·
. + ¨ ¸ + .¨ ¸ +............. n terms is
1 .2 2 2 . 3 ©2¹ 3 .4 © 2 ¹
1 1 1
(a) 1– (b) 1– (c) 1+ (d) None of these
n 12 n n.2 n –1 n 12 n
Solution :
n2 1 §2 1 · 1
Tn = . n =¨ – ¸. n
n.(n 1) 2 © n n 1¹ 2
1 1
Tn = n.2 n –1 – (n 1).2n
Putting n = 1, 2, 3, ..............,n
1 1
? T1 = 0
–
1 .2 2 .21
1 1
T2 = –
2 .2 3 .2 2
1
1 1
T3 = 2
–
3 .2 4 .3 2
.
.
.
1 1
Tn = –
n.2 n –1
n 12 n
Adding , T1+T2+T3+.........+Tn = Sn
1
Sn = 1 –
n 12 n
Ans : (a)
3 Coefficient of x49 in the expansion of (x–1)(x–3)(x–5).........................(x–99) is
(a) –992 (b) 1 (c) –2500 (d) None of these
Solution :
(x–1)(x–3)(x–5) ................ (x–99)
= x50–S1x49+S2x48.................
? Coefficient of x49 is –S1 50
(1+99) = 2
2
Ans : (c)
4 The coefficients of x15 in the product
(1–x)(1–2x)(1–22x)..............(1–215x) is
(a) 2105–2 121 (b) 2121–2 105 (c) 2120–2 104 (d) None of these
203
Solution :
(1–x)(1–2x)(1–22x)..............(1–215x)
= (–1)16(x–1)(2x–1)(22x–1).................. (215x–1)
§ 1· § 1· § 1 ·
= 21.22.23...................215(x–1) ¨ x – ¸ ¨ x – 2 ¸ ........... ¨ x – 15 ¸
© 2¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
§ 1· § 1· § 1 ·
= 2120.(x–1) ¨ x – ¸ ¨ x – 2 ¸ ........... ¨ x – 15 ¸
© 2¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
1 1 1 ½
? coeff of x15 is –2120 ®1 2 2 2 . . . 215 ¾
¯ ¿
1 ½
®1 – 16 ¾ § 1 ·
= –2120.1 ¯ 2 ¿ = –2121 ¨1 – 16 ¸ = 2105–2121
1 © 2 ¹
1–
2
Ans : (a)
5 The sum to 2n terms of the series
3 7 15 31 63 127
+ + + + + +........................ is
4 4 16 16 64 64
2 § 1 · 10 § 1 · 13 1
(a) 3n– ¨1 – n ¸ (b) 3n– ¨1 – n ¸ (c) 3n– (d) None of these
3 © 4 ¹ 21 © 4 ¹ 21 4 n
Solution :
Given expression
§ 1· § 1· § 1· § 1·
= ¨1 – ¸ + ¨ 2 – ¸ + ¨1 – ¸ + ¨ 2 – ¸ +...........................2n terms
© 4¹ © 4 ¹ © 16 ¹ © 16 ¹
§1 1 ·
= 3n –2 ¨ ..........nterms ¸
© 4 16 ¹
§ 1 ·
¨1 – n ¸
1 © 4 ¹
= 3n – 2 1
4 1–
4
2§ 1 ·
= 3n – ¨1 – n ¸
3© 4 ¹
Ans : (a)
204
6 The sum to n terms of the series
1 1 1
1 + 1 + 1
+ ......... f
1– 1 3 – 1 3 5 –
4 4 4
2n 4n 2
(a) (b) (c) (d) None
2n 1 2n 1 2n 1
Solution :
1 1
Tn = =
1 3 5 ............ nterms n 2 – 1
4
§ 1· § 1·
1 ¨n ¸ – ¨n – ¸
© 2¹ © 2¹
§ 1 ·§ 1 ·
= ¨ n ¸¨ n – ¸ = § 1 ·§ 1·
© 2 ¹© 2¹ ¨ n – ¸¨ n ¸
© 2 ¹© 2¹
1 1 ½
Tn = 2® – ¾
¯ 2n – 1 2n 1¿
§1 1 ·
? T1 = 2¨ 1 – 3 ¸
© ¹
§1 1·
T2 = 2¨ – ¸
©3 5¹
.
.
.
§ 1 1 ·
Tn = 2¨ – ¸
© 2n – 1 2n 1 ¹
§ 1 · 4n
Adding, Sn = T1 +T2+.............+Tn=2 ¨1 – ¸=
© 2n 1 ¹ 2n 1
Ans : (b)
7 The sum of the series
1 2 3
+ + + ...................... f is
1.3 1.3.5 1.3.5.7
1 3
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d) None
2 2
Solution :
n
Tn =
1.3.5..............2n – 12n 1
205
1 2n 1 – 1 ½
= ® ¾
2 ¯1.3.5.............(2n – 1)(2n 1) ¿
1 1 1 ½
= ® – ¾
2 ¯1.3.5.........2n – 1 1.3.5..........2n 1 ¿
1 §1 1 ·
? T1 = ¨ – ¸
2 © 1 1 .3 ¹
1 § 1 1 ·
T2 = ¨ – ¸
2 © 1 .3 1 . 3 .5 ¹
.
.
.
1§ 1 1 ·
Tn ¨¨ – ¸
2 © 1.3.5.....( 2n – 1) 1.3.5.....(2n 1) ¸¹
1§ 1 ·
Sn ¨¨1 – ¸
2 © 1.3.5.....(2n – 1)(2n 1) ¸¹
1 1
? Sf = (1–0) =
2 2
Ans : (b)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1* Let S1, S2,................be squares such that for each n t 1 the length of a side of Sn equals the
length of a diagonal of Sn+1. If the length of a side of S1 is 10 cm, then for which of the following
values of n is the area of Sn less than 1 sq. cm.
(a) 7 (b) 8 (c) 9 (d) 10
2 If a, b, c are is A.P and a , b , c are in H.P, then b =
2 2 2 2
ca – ca
(a) (b) 2ca (c) (d) –2ca.
2 2
3 Let the HM & GM of two positive numbers a & b be in the ratio 4:5 then a : b is
(a) 1:2 (b) 2 : 3 (c) 3:4 (d) 1 : 4
y
4 If cos(x–y), cos x, cos(x+y) are in H.P., then the value of cos x sec is
2
1
(a) r1 (b) r (c) r 2 (d) r 3
2
5 If x & y are positive real numbers and m, n are positive integers, then the minimum value of
x m yn
is
(1 x 2 m )(1 y 2 n )
206
1 1
(a) 2 (b) (c) (d) 1
4 2
6* There are two numbers a & b whose product is 192 and the quotient of A.M. by H.M. of their
169
greatest common divisor and least common multiple is . The smaller of a & b is
48
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 12
7 Consider the sequence 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, ...............where n occurs n times. The number that occurs
as 2007th term is
(a) 61 (b) 62 (c) 63 (d) 64
8 Read the following paragraph and answer the questions.
Let A1, G1, H1 denote the A.M., G.M., H.M of two distinct positive numbers.
For n t 2, let An–1 and Hn–1 have A.M., G.M., H.M as An, Gn, Hn respectively.
(i) Which of the following statements is correct ?.
(a) G1>G2>G3 >....................
(b) G1<G2<G3< ....................
(c) G1=G2=G3 =....................
(d) G1<G3<G5.................and G2>G4>G6>......
(ii) Which are of the following statement is correct ?.
(a) A1>A2>A3>...................
(b) A1<A2<A3<...................
(c) A1>A3>A5>................... and A2<A4<A6<.........................
(d) A1<A3<A5<................... and A2>A4>A6>...................
(iii) Which are of the following statement is correct ?.
(a) H1>H2>H3>....................
(b) H1<H2<H3<.................
(c) H1>H3>H5>................... and H2<H4<H6<..................
(d) H1<H3<H5<................... and H2>H4>H6>.................
xyz
9 If x,y, z>0 and x+y+z = 1, the is necessarily
(1 – x )(1 – y)(1 – z)
1 1
(a) t8 (b) d (c) (d) None of these
8 8
10* Match the following :
Column I Column II
(a) 3 numbers a,b, c between 2 & 18 such that (p) G–L = 4
ªG º
(i) a+b+c = 25 (q) «¬ L »¼ = 4
(ii) 2, a, b are consecutive terms of an A.P. (r) G–L = 7
ªG º
(iii) b, c, 18 are consecutive terms of a G.P. (s) «L» = 3
« »
207
ªG º ªG º
If G = max {a, b, c} & L = min {a, b, c}then (t) «¬ L »¼ + «« L »» = 3
(b) 3 numbers a, b, c are in G..P. Such that
(i) a+b+c = 70
(ii) 4a, 5b, 4c are is A.P.
If G = Max{a, b, c} and L = Min{a, b, c}, then
11 The coefficient of x203 is the expansion of (x–1)(x2–2)(x3–3) ....................(x20–20) is
(a) –35 (b) 21 (c) 13 (d) 25
12 Read the following passage and answer the questions : -
–D
Let ABCD be a unit square and 0< D <1. Each side of the square D D C
is divided in the ratio D : 1– D , as shown in the figure. These D

–D
points are connected to obtain another square. The sides of new
square are divided in the ratio D : 1– D and points are joined to
obtain another square. The process is continued indefinitely.
Let an denote the length of side and An the area of the nth square –D D
f A D B
8 –D
(i) The value of D for which ¦ An = is
n 1 3
(a) 1/3, 2/3 (b) 1/4, 3/4 (c) 1/5, 4/5 (d) 1/2
(2) The value of D for which side of nth square equals the diagonals of (n+1)th square is
(a) 1/3 (b) 1/4 (c) 1/2 (d) 1/ 2
f
(iii) If a = 1/4 and Pn denotes the perimeter of the nth square then ¦ Pn equals
n 1
(a) 8/3 (b) 32/3 (c) 16/3 (d)

8
3

4 10
Answers
1. b, c, d 2. c 3. d 4. c 5. b 6. b,d
7. c 8. (i) c (ii) a (iii) b 9. b
10. a o r, s, b o q 11. c 12. (i) b (ii) c (iii) d
208
SEQUENCES AND SERIES - VIII
Special Series - Problem Solving
Arithmetico - Geometric Series (A.G.S.)
If a1, a2, ............ an is an A.P. and b1, b2, ...........bn is a G.P, then the sequence a1b1, a1b2, .......anbn
is said to be an A.G.S. The sequence is of the form ab, (a+d) br, (a+2d) br2,.......... ..............
ab dbr(1 – r n –1 ) (a (n – 1)d)br n
Sum to n terms = Sn = + –
1– r (1 – r ) 2 1– r
If –1 < r < 1, sum to infinite numbers is given by
ab dbr
Sf = +
1– r (1 – r ) 2
Important results
1 Let Sr = 1r + 2r + 3r +.......................+nr, then
n ( n 1)
(i) S1 = 1 + 2 + 3 +..................+n =
2
n ( n 1)( 2n 1)
(ii) S2 = 12 + 22 + 33 +..................+n2 =
6
n 2 (n 1) 2
(iii) S3 = 13 + 23 + 33 +..................+n3 = = S12
4
n (n 1)(2n 1)(3n 2 3n – 1) S2
(iv) S4 = 1 + 2 + 3 +..................+n =
4 4 4 4
= (6S1–1)
30 5
n 2 (n 1) 2 (2n 2 2n – 1) 1
(iv) S5 = 1 + 2 + 3 +..................+n =
5 5 5 5
= S12(4S1–1)
12 3
2 1 + 3 + 5 + ....................to n terms = n 2
n (4n 2 – 1)
3 12 + 32 + 52 + .................to n terms =
3
4 1 + 3 + 5 + .................to n terms = n (2n2 –1)
3 3 3 2
1 – (–1) n
5 1 – 1 + 1 –..................to n terms =
2
1 – (–1) n (2n 1)
6 1 – 2 + 3 –.....................to n terms =
4
(–1) n –1 n (n 1)
7 1 – 2 + 3 –...................to n terms =
2 2 2
= (–1)n–1S1
2
(–1) n –1 (4n 3 6n 2 – 1) – 1
8 1 – 2 + 3 –.................to n terms =
3 3 3
8
Note 1 : (x+1)(x+2)(x+3)..................(x+n) = xn + A1 xn–1 + A2xn–2 + A3xn–3+...................
209
n ( n 1)
Then A1 =
2
( n – 1) n ( n 1)(3n 2)
A2 =
24
(n – 1)(n – 2)n 2 (n 1) 2
A3 =
48
Note 2 : To obtain the sum ¦
i j
ai aj we use the identity
2¦ ai aj = (a1+a2+.........+an) –(a1 +a2 +...+an )

2 2 2 2
i j
More methods of summation of series

If nth term of a sequence is given by
Tn = an3 + bn2 + cn + d, where a, b, c, d R, then
Sn = ¦ Tn = T1 + T2 +..............+Tn
= a ¦ n 3 + b ¦ n 2 + c ¦ n + d ¦1
I Method of differences
If the differences of successive terms of a series are in A.P. or G.P., we can find Tn as follows
(a) Denote nth term and the sum up to n terms by Tn &Sn respectively
(b) Rewrite the given series with each term shifted by one place to the right
(c) Subtracting the above two forms of the series, find Tn.
(d) Apply Sn = ¦T n .
Note : Instead of determining the nth item of a series by the method of difference, we can use the
following steps to obtain the same
(i) If the differences T2 –T1, T3 – T2,................etc are in A.P. Then take the nth term as
Tn = an2 + bn + c, a, b, c R
(ii) If the differences T2 –T1, T3 –T2, ...........etc are in G.P , with common ratio r, then take
Tn= arn–1 + bn + c, a, b, c R
(iIi) If the differences of the differences computed in step (i) are in A.P, then take Tn = an3
+ bn2 + cn +d
(iv) If the differences of differences computed in step (i) are in G.P with common ratio r, then
take
Tn = arn–1 + bn2 + cn + d
210
II Sum of series whose nth term is
1
Tn =
[a (n – 1)d][(a nd )]
Resolve Tn into partial fractions, (or express the Nr of Tn in terms of factors of Dr and
simplify), then find T1, T2, ............ Tn and add to get Sn.
III Sum of series in special form
(a) Let the series consists of terms whose nth term
1
Tn =
a (a d)(a 2d)..............(a (n – 1)d )
To find sum of such a series ( factors of Dr are in A.P.) as shown above, remove the least
factor and multiply the denominator by the number of factors left out (here n–1), and also
by the common difference (here d) change the sign and add a constant C.
1
Thus, Sn = +C
(n – 1)d(a d)(a 2d )..................(a (n – 1)d )
Find S1 and hence value of C. This gives the required sum.
(b) Let the series consists of terms whose nth term Tn = a(a+d) (a+2d)..........(a+(n–1)d).
To find sum of such a series, as shown above, add one more factor and divide by the total
number of factors (here (n+1)) and also by the common difference (here d). Also add a
constant C.
a (a d )(a 2d )........(a (n – 1)d )(a nd )
Thus Sn = +C
(n 1)d
Find S1 and hence value of C. This gives the required sum.
Note :
2 2
§ n 1· § n –1·
(i) for odd n, n= ¨ ¸ –¨ ¸
© 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
§ n n 1 ·
2 3
§ n (n – 1) ·
(ii) For any n, n =¨
3 ¸ –¨ ¸
© 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
3 2
§ n3 1· § n3 –1· § n (n 1) ·
2
§ n (n – 1) ·
2
(iii) For odd n, n = ¨¨

3 ¸¸ – ¨¨ ¸¸ = ¨ ¸ –¨ ¸
© 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1 1 1 S4 1 1 1
1 It is given that 4 + 4 + 4 + ............. f = then, 4 + 4 + 4 + ............. f is equal to
1 2 3 90 1 3 5
S4 S4 89 S 4
96 45 90
1 1 1
Solution : Let 4 + 4 + + ............. f = S
1 3 54
211
1 1 1 S4
Now + + + ............. f =
14 24 34 90
§1 1 1 · § 1 1 1 · S4
¨ 4 4 4 ......... ¸ + ¨ 4 4 4 .........¸ =
©1 3 5 ¹ ©2 4 6 ¹ 90
1 §1 1 1 · S4
¨
S+ 4 14 2 4 34 .........f ¸=
2 © ¹ 90
1 S4 S4
S+ . =
16 90 90
S 4 §1 – 1 · S 4 15 S4
S= ¨ ¸ = × =
90 © 16 ¹ 90 16 96
Ans : (a)
n
1 2 2 2 .......... r terms
2 If Sn = ¦ , then
r 1 2r
Sn is equal to
(a) 2n –(n+1) (b) 1 –2–n (c) n–1 + 2–n (d) 2n –1
Solution :
1 2 2 2 ...................rterms.
Tr =
2n
1(2 r – 1)
= = 1 – 2–r
(2 – 1)2 r
1
Tr = 1 –
2r
1 1 1 ½
Sn = n – ® 2 3 ................nterms¾
¯2 2 2 ¿
1§ 1 ·
Sn = n – 2 ¨©1 – 2n ¸¹ = n – (1– 2–n)
1
1–
2
= n –1 + 2 –n
Ans : (c)
3 The sum to n terms of the series
n (n 1) 2
12 + 2.22 + 32 + 2.42 + 52 +.................... = when n is even. When n is odd, the sum is
2
n 2 (n 1) n (n 2 – 1)
(a) (b) (c) n(n+1)2(2n+1) (d) None of these
2 2
212
Solution : Let n = 2k
? 12 + 2.22 + 32 + 2.42 + 52 +................+(2k–1)2 + 2(2k)2
2k (2k 1) 2
=
2
Let n = 2k + 1 (odd)
? 12 + 2.22 + 32 + 2.42 +................+(2k–1)2 + 2(2k)2 + (2k+1)2
2k (2k 1) 2
= + (2k + 1)2
2
(2k 1) 2 (2k 2) n 2 (n 1)
= =
2 2
Ans : (a)
4 If the sum to n terms of an A.P is cn(n–1); c z 0, then the sum of squares of these terms is
2c 2
(a) c2 n2 (n+1)2 (b) n(n–1)(2n–1)
3
2c 2
(c) n(n+1)(2n+1) (d) None of these
3
Solution : Tn = Sn –Sn–1 = cn(n–1) –c(n–1)(n–2)
= c(n–1){n–n+2}
= 2c(n–1)
? Tn2 = 4c2(n–1)2
? Sn = 4c2{02+12+22+..................+(n–1)2}
2
n ( n – 1)( 2n – 1)
= 4c2
6
2c 2
= n(n–1)(2n–1)
3
Ans (b)
5 Let tr = 2r/2 + 2–r/2
10
The ¦ t r is equal to
2
r 1
2 21 – 1 2 21 – 1 2 21 – 1
(a) 20 (b) 19 (c) – 19 (d) None of these
210 210 2 20
Solution : tr2 = 2r + 2–r + 2
§1 1 1 ·
? S102 = (21+22+.........+210) + ¨ 2 2 2 ........ 210 ¸ + 20
© ¹
1§ 1 ·
2(210 – 1) ¨1 – 10 ¸
= + 2 © 2 ¹ + 20
2 –1
1
1–
2
213
1
= 211 –2 +1 – + 20
210
1 2 21 – 1
= 2 – 10 + 19 =
11
+ 19
2 210
Ans : (b)
6 Sum to n terms
1.(3n–1)+2. (3n–2) + 3.(3n–3) + .............n terms is
n ( 2n 1)(5n – 1) n ( 2n 1)(5n 1)
(a) (b)
3 3
n ( n 1)(7 n – 1)
(c) (d) None of these.
6
Solution :
Tr = r(3n–r)
= 3nr–r2
n n n
Sn = ¦ Tr = 3n ¦ r – ¦r2
r 1 r 1 r 1
n.(n 1) n ( n 1)(2n 1)
= 3n. –
2 6
n ( n 1) 2n 1 ½
= ®3n – ¾
2 ¯ 3 ¿
n ( n 1) 9n – 2n – 1½ n ( n 1)(7 n – 1)
= ® ¾=
2 ¯ 3 ¿ 6
Ans : (c)
n n m
7 ¦r2 – ¦ ¦ r is equal to
r 1 m 1 r 1
1 §¨ n 2 n ·¸ 1 §¨ n 2 n ·¸
(a) ¦r ¦r¸
2 ¨© r 1 (b) ¦r – ¦r¸
2 ¨© r 1
r 1 ¹ r 1 ¹
(c) 0 (d) None of these
n n
m(m 1)
Solution : ¦ r – ¦
2
r 1 m 1 2
n n
r2 r
= ¦r – ¦
2
r 1 r 1 2
214
n § 2 r2 · n
r
= ¦ ¨¨ r – ¸¸ –
2¹
¦
r 1 © r 1 2
n n
1 1§ n 2 n ·
= ¦ r 2 – 12 ¦ = 2 ¨ ¦ r –¦ r ¸
r
2 r 1 r 1 ©r 1 r 1 ¹
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1*. For a positive integer n let
1 1 1 1
a(n) = 1 + + + +................+ n then
2 3 4 (2 ) – 1
(a) a(100) d 100 (b) a(100)>100 (c) a(200) d 100 (d) a(200)>100
2 11 –10 +9 –8 +7 –6 +5 –4 +3 –2 +1 =
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(a) 756 (b) 724 (c) 648 (d) 812

n
d
3 If a1, a2, ..........an+1 are in A.P with common difference d, then ¦ tan–1 1 a a
r 1 r r 1
nd (n 1)d
(a) tan–1 1 a a (b) tan–1 1 a a
1 n 1 1 n 1
(n – 1)d ( n – 1)d
(c) tan–1 1 – a a (d) tan–1 1 – a a
1 n 1 1 n 1
4 The sum to 50 terms of
3 5 7
2 + 2 2 + 2 + ............. is
1 1 2 1 2 2 32
50 100 150 200
(a) (b) (c) (d)
17 17 17 17
5 The sum of the first 10 common terms of the series 17, 21, 25, .................... and 16, 21, 25, ... is
(a) 1100 (b) 1010 (c) 1110 (d) 1200
6 Match the following :
Column I Column II
(a) 1 –2 +3 –................. to 21 terms
2 2 2
(p) 680
(b) 1 –2 +3 –4 + ........... to 15 terms
3 3 3 3
(q) 2556
(c) 12+32+52 + ................ to 8 terms (r) 1856
(d) 13+33+53 + ............... to 6 terms (s) 231
f
7 The sum of the series ¦ cos ec –1 4r 4 1 is
r 1
(a) S (b) S /2 (c) S /4 (d) None of these
n n
8 Let ¦r 4
= ƒ(n), then ¦ (2r–1)4 is equal to
r 1 r 1
215
§ n –1·
(a) ƒ(2n) – 16ƒ(n), n N (b) ƒ(n)–16ƒ ¨ ¸ when n is odd
© 2 ¹
§n·
(c) ƒ(n)–16ƒ ¨ ¸ when n is odd (d) None of these
©2¹
9 Match the following : -
Column I Column II
(a) If ¦ n = 210, then ¦ n 2 is divisible by
the greatest prime number which is greater than (p) 16
(b) Between 4 & 2916 is inserted odd number (2n+1)
G.M’S. Then the (n+1)th G.M. is divisible by greatest (q) 10
odd integer which is less than
(c) In a certain progression, three consecutive terms
are 40, 30, 24, 20. Then the integral part of the (r) 34
next term of the progression is more then
4 7 10 a
(d) 1+ 2 3 +............. to f = , where (s) 30
5 5 5 b
HCF(a,b) = 1, then a–b is less then
1 1 1 1 ª1º
10 If S= 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 +............... f then the value of « » is ..............
3 1 4 2 5 3 6 4 ¬S¼
§ 1 1 1 · § 1 1 1 ·
11 The value of the ratio ¨1 2 2 2 ............ ¸ ¨1 – 2 2 – 2 ................. ¸ is .......
© 2 3 4 ¹ © 2 3 4 ¹
n
lim r
12 nof ¦ 1.3.5.7.9...................(2r 1)
is equal to
r 1
1 3 1
3 2 2
n 2
13 If (12–t1) + (22–t2) + ............. + (n2–tn) = (n –1), then tn is equal to
3
(a) n2 (b) 2n (c) n2–2n (d) None of these
14 If (1+3+5+.........+p) + (1+3+5+.............+q) = (1+3+5+.................+ r) where each set of
parantheses contains the sum of consecutive odd integers as shown, the smallest possible value of
p+q+r (where p>6) is..........................
(a) 12 (b) 21 (c) 45 (d) 54
Answers
1. a,d 2. a 3. a 4. b 5.c 6. a o s, b o r, c o p,d o q
7. c 8. a 9. a o p,q,r,s; b o r,s; c o p,q; d o r,s ,s 10. 2 11.2
12.c 13.d 14. b
216

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SEQUENCES AND SERIES - I

a 1  a 2  .......  a 11 11 (30 – 3 u 10)

(c) If 6th term in the expansion of ( D + E )n is the greatest

nth term of a G.P. = an = a rn–1.

 (–3)n+1 < 22n–1

a. G.P b. A.P c. H.P d. none of these

 aix + ai+1 = 0  i = 1, 2, ......... n–1

? a1, a2, ......... an are in G.P.

a. 2f2n(1) b. fn2(1) c. f2n(1) d. 2f2n(4)

1. c 2. (i) b (ii) b (iii) a (iv) a (v) a 3. d 4. b

9. a o p,q,s; b o r; c o p,q,s 10. c 11. c 12. c

Note:*Questions with more than one option is correct

11. a,b 12. a 13. b 14. c

Properties of A.M, G.M & H.M

For positive numbers x and y, x + y > 2 xy

For positive numbers y and z, y + z > 2 yz

For positive numbers z and x, z + x > 2 zx

Multiplying, (x +y)(y + z)(z + x) > 8 x 2 y 2 z 2

i.e., (x +y)(y + z)(z + x) > 8xyz

abc abc abc 9

Also x y z § 1 1 1· (' A > G)

8. If a, b, c, d are in H.P. then

Multiplying, abcd > bc  ad > bc

ii. ¦1 1  1  1  ......  ntimes n

iii. ¦ kTr k ¦ Tr ; k is a constant

(Note that i & j are independent here)

¦ ¦ f i f j ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j)  ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) + ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j)

 ¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) – ¦¦ f (i)f ( j)

Note that 2 ¦ a i a j a1  a 2  .....  a n – a 21  a 22  .....  a 2 n

Adding (i) & (ii)

8. Find the nth term of the following series

(n )(n  1)(n  2)(n  3)

2 1 cosx  cos2x  cos3 x  ......

2. Find the value of the expression ¦ ¦ ¦ 1

Note:* QuestionS with more than one option is correct

9. a 10. a 11. (i) c (ii) c (iii) c

12. a o q,s; b o p,q,r,s; c o p; d o p

Geometric Progression (G.P.)

pq r–q p–r

(a) 720 (b) 750 (c) 800 (d) 810

(a) 90000 (b) 95940 (c) 99550 (d) 99540

20 log2 log2 ............... 2 = n where n is the number of square roots

is divided in the ratio D : 1– D , as shown in the figure. These D

(a) 8/3 (b) 32/3 (c) 16/3 (d)

2¦ ai aj = (a1+a2+.........+an) –(a1 +a2 +...+an )

More methods of summation of series

(iii) For odd n, n = ¨¨

(a) 756 (b) 724 (c) 648 (d) 812

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a 1 a 2 ....... a 11 11 (30 – 3 u 10)

(–3)n+1 < 22n–1

aix + ai+1 = 0 i = 1, 2, ......... n–1

abc abc abc 9

Multiplying, abcd > bc ad > bc

ii. ¦1 1 1 1 ...... ntimes n

¦ ¦ f if j ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) + ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j)

¦ f (i)f ( j) ¦ ¦ f (i)f ( j) – ¦¦ f (i)f ( j)

Note that 2 ¦ a i a j a1 a 2 ..... a n – a 21 a 22 ..... a 2 n

(n )(n 1)(n 2)(n 3)

2 1 cosx cos2x cos3 x ......

pq r–q p–r