Sequences and Series

MODULE - II
6 Sequences And
Series

SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Notes

Succession of numbers of which one number is designated as the first, other as the second,
another as the third and so on gives rise to what is called a sequence. Sequences have wide
applications. In this lesson we shall discuss particular types of sequences called arithmetic
sequence, geometric sequence and also find arithmetic mean (A.M), geometric mean (G.M)
between two given numbers. We will also establish the relation between A.M and G.M.
Let us consider the following problems :
(a) A man places a pair of newly born rabbits into a warren and wants to know how many
rabbits he would have over a certain period of time. A pair of rabbits will start producing
offsprings two months after they were born and every following month one new pair of
rabbits will appear. At the beginning the man will have in his warren only one pair of
rabbits, during the second month he will have the same pair of rabbits, during the third
month the number of pairs of rabbits in the warren will grow to two; during the fourth
month there will be three pairs of rabbits in the warren. Thus, the number of pairs of
rabbits in the consecutive months are :
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ...

(b) The recurring decimal 0.3 can be written as a sum

0.3 = 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 ...

(c) A man earns Rs.10 on the first day, Rs. 30 on the second day, Rs. 50 on the third day and
so on. The day to day earning o f the man may be written as
10, 30, 50, 70, 90, 
We may ask what his earnings will be on the 10th day in a specific month.
Again let us consider the following sequences:

1 1 1 1
(1) 2, 4, 8, 16,  (2) , , , ,...
9 27 81 243
(3) 0.01, 0.0001, 0.000001, 
In these three sequences, each term except the first, progressess in a definite order but different
from the order of other three problems. In this lesson we will discuss those sequences whose
term progressess in a definite order.

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MODULE - II
Sequences And OBJECTIVES
Series
After studying this lesson, you will be able to :
 describe the concept of a sequence (progression);
 define an A.P. and cite examples;
Notes
 find common difference and general term of a A.P;
 find the fourth quantity of an A.P. given any three of the quantities a, d, n and tn;
 calculate the common difference or any other term of the A.P. given any two terms of the
A.P;
 derive the formula for the sum of ‘n’ terms of an A.P;
 calculate the fourth quantity of an A.P. given three of S, n, a and d;
 insert A.M. between two numbers;
 solve problems of daily life using concept of an A.P;
 state that a geometric progression is a sequence increasing or decreasing by a definite
multiple of a non-zero number other than one;
 identify G.P.’s from a given set of progessions;
 find the common ratio and general term of a G.P;
 calculate the fourth quantity of a G.P when any three of the quantities tn, a, r and n are
given;
 calculate the common ratio and any term when two of the terms of the G.P. are given;
 write progression when the general term is given;
 derive the formula for sum of n terms of a G.P;
 calculate the fourth quantity of a G.P. if any three of a, r, n and S are given;

 derive the formula for sum (S  ) of infinite number of terms of a G.P. when r  1 ;

 find the third quantity when any two of S  , a and r are given;
 convert recurring decimals to fractions using G.P;
 insert G.M. between two numbers; and
 establish relationship between A.M. and G.M.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

 Laws of indices
 Simultaneous equations with two unknowns.
 Quadratic Equations.

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 Sequences and Series

6.1 SEQUENCE MODULE - II

Sequences And
A sequence is a collection of numbers specified in a definite order by some assigned law, Series
whereby a definite number an of the set can be associated with the corresponding positive
integer n. The different notations used for a sequence are.
1. a1, a2, a3, ..., an, .... 2. an , n = 1, 2, 3, ... 3. {an}
Notes
Let us consider the following sequences :
1. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ... 2. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ...

1 2 3 4 1 1 1 1 1
3. , , , ,  4. 1, , , , , , 
2 3 4 5 2 3 4 5 6
In the above examples, the expression for nth term of the sequences are as given below :

n 1
(1) an = 2n1 (2) an = n2 (3) an = (4) an =
n 1 n
for all positive integer n.
Also for the first problem in the introduction, the terms can be obtained from the relation

a1 = 1, a2 = 1, an  an 2  an 1 , n  3

A finite sequence has a finite number of terms. An infinite sequence contains an infinite number
of terms.

6.2 ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION

Let us consider the following examples of sequence, of numbers :
3 5
(1) 2, 4, 6, 8,  (2) 1, , 2, , 
2 2

1 3 5
(3) 10, 8, 6, 4,  (4)  ,  1,  ,  2,  , 
2 2 2
Note that in the above four sequences of numbers, the first terms are respectively 2, 1, 10, and
1
– . The first term has an important role in this lesson. Also every following term of the sequence
2
has certain relation with the first term. What is the relation of the terms with the first term in
Example (1) ? First term = 2, Second term = 4 =2+1×2
Third term =6 =2+2×2
Fourth term =8 = 2 + 3 × 2 and so on.
The consecutive terms in the above sequence are obtained by adding 2 to its preceding term.
i.e., the difference between any two consecutive terms is the same.

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MODULE - II A finite sequence of numbers with this property is called an arithmetic progression.
Sequences And A sequence of numbers with finite terms in which the difference between two consecutive
Series terms is the same non-zero number is called the Arithmetic Progression or simply A. P.
The difference between two consecutive terms is called the common defference of the A. P.
and is denoted by 'd'.

Notes In general, an A. P. whose first term is a and common difference is d is written as

a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, 
Also we use tn to denote the nth term of the progression.
6.2.1 GENERAL TERM OF AN A. P.
Let us consider A. P. a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, 
Here, first term (t1) = a
second term (t2) = a + d = a + (2 – 1) d,
third term (t3) = a + 2d = a + (3 – 1) d
By observing the above pattern, nth term can be written as: tn = a + (n – 1) d
Hence, if the first term and the common difference of an A. P. are known then any term of
A. P. can be determined by the above formula.

Note.:
(i) If the same non-zero number is added to each term of an A. P. the resulting sequence
is again an A. P.
(ii) If each term of an A. P. is multiplied by the same non-zero number, the resulting
sequence is again an A. P.

Example 6.1 Find the 10th term of the A. P.: 2, 4, 6, ...

Solution : Here the first term (a) = 2 and common difference d = 4 – 2 = 2

Using the formula tn = a + (n – 1) d, we have
t10 = 2 + (10 – 1) 2 = 2 + 18 = 20
Hence, the 10th term of the given A. P. is 20.

Example 6.2 The 10th term of an A. P. is – 15 and 31st term is –57, find the 15th term.

Solution : Let a be the first term and d be the common difference of the A. P. Then from the
formula: tn = a + (n – 1) d, we have
t10 = a + (10 – 1) d = a + 9d and t31 = a + (31 – 1) d = a + 30 d

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 Sequences and Series

We have, a + 9d = –15...(1), a + 30d = –57 ...(2) MODULE - II

Sequences And
Solve equations (1) and (2) to get the values of a and d. Series
Subtracting (1) from (2), we have

–42
21d = –57 + 15 = –42  d   –2
Notes
21
Again from (1), a = –15 –9d = – 15 – 9 (–2) = – 15 + 18 = 3
Now t15 = a + (15 –1)d = 3 + 14 (–2) = – 25
Example 6.3 Which term of the A. P.: 5, 11, 17, ... is 119 ?
Solution : Here a = 5, d = 11–5 = 6
tn = 119
We know that tn = a + (n – 1) d

119 – 5
 119 = 5 + (n – 1) × 6  (n – 1) = = 19
6
 n = 20
Therefore, 119 is the 20th term of the given A. P.

Example 6.4 Is 600 a term of the A. P.: 2, 9, 16, ...?

Solution : Here, a = 2, and d = 9 – 2 = 7.

Let 600 be the nth term of the A. P. We have tn = 2 + (n – 1) 7
According to the question,
2 + (n – 1) 7 = 600 (n – 1) 7 = 598

598 3
or n 1  n  86
7 7
Since n is a fraction, it cannot be a term of the given A. P. Hence, 600 is not a term of the given
A. P.

a b c
Example 6.5 If a + b + c = 0 and , , are. in A. P., then prove that
b  c c a a b
1 1 1
, , are also in A. P..
bc ca ab

a b c
Solution. : Since , , are in A. P., therefore
b  c c a a b

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MODULE - II b a c b
Sequences And –  –
c  a b  c a b c a
Series
FG b  1IJ – FG a  1IJ  FG c  1IJ – FG b  1IJ
or, H c a K Hb c K H a b K H c a K
Notes
a b c a b c a b c a b c
or, –  –
ca bc a b ca

1 1 1 1
or,    (Since a + b + c  0)
ca bc ab ca

1 1 1
or, , , are in A. P..
b  c c a a b

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.1

1. Find the nth term of each of the following A. P’s. :
(a) 1, 3, 5, 7,  (b) 3, 5, 7, 9, 
2. If tn = 2n + 1, then find the A. P.

1 1
3. Which term of the A. P. 2 , 4, 5 , ..... is 31? Find also the 10th term?
2 2
4. Is – 292 a term of the A. P. 7, 4, 1, –2, ...?
5. The mth term of an A. P. is n and the nth term is m. Show that its (m + n)th term is zero.
6. Three numbers are in A. P. The difference between the first and the last is 8 and the
product of these two is 20. Find the numbers.
7. The nth term of a sequence is na + b. Prove that the sequence is an A. P. with common
difference a.

6.3 TO FIND THE SUM OF FIRST n TERMS IN AN A. P.

Let a be the first term and d be the common difference of an A. P. Let l denote the last term, i.e.,
the nth term of the A. P. Then, l = tn = a + (n – 1)d ... (i)

Let Sn denote the sum of the first n terms of the A. P. Then

Sn = a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + ... + (l – 2d) + (l – d) + l ... (ii)

Reversing the order of terms in the R. H. S. of the above equation, we have

Sn = l + (l – d) + (l –2d) + ... + (a + 2d) + (a + d) + a ... (iii)

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Adding (ii) and (iii) vertically, we get

MODULE - II
Sequences And
2Sn = (a + l) + (a + l) + (a + l) + ... containing n terms = n (a + l) Series

n
i.e., Sn  (a  l )
2
Notes
n
Also Sn  [ 2a  ( n – 1) d ] [From (i)]
2

It is obvious that tn = Sn – Sn – 1

Example 6.6 Find the sum of 2 + 4 + 6 + ... n terms.

Solution.: Here a = 2, d = 4 – 2 = 2

n
Using the formula Sn  [2a  (n – 1) d ], we get
2

n n 2n ( n  1)
Sn  [ 2  2  ( n – 1) 2]  [ 2  2n]  =n (n + 1)
2 2 2

Example 6.7 The 35th term of an A. P. is 69. Find the sum of its 69 terms.

Solution. Let a be the first term and d be the common difference of the A. P.

We have t35 = a + (35 – 1) d = a + 34 d.

 a + 34 d = 69 ... (i)

n
Now by the formula, Sn  [ 2a  ( n – 1) d ]
2

69
We have S69  [ 2a  ( 69 – 1) d ]
2

= 69 (a + 34d) [using (i)]

= 69 × 69 = 4761

Example 6.8 The first term of an A. P. is 10, the last term is 50. If the sum of all the terms
is 480, find the common difference and the number of terms.

Solution : We have: a = 10, l = tn = 50, Sn = 480.

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MODULE - II By substituting the values of a, tn and Sn in the formulae

Sequences And
Series
n
Sn   2a   n  1 d  and tn = a+ (n – 1) d, we get
2

n
Notes 480  20  ( n – 1) d  (i)
2
50 = 10 + (n – 1) d  (ii)
From (ii), (n – 1) d = 50 – 10 = 40  (iii)

n
From (i), we have 480  (20  40) using (i)
2

2  480
or, 60n = 2 × 480  n  16
60
From (iii),

40 8
 d   (as n  1  16  1  15)
15 3

Example 6. 9 Let the nth term and the sum of n terms of an A. P. be p and q respectively.
 2q  pn 
Prove that its first term is  .
 n 

Solution: In this case, tn = p and Sn = q

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

n n
Now, S n   a  tn  or, (a  p )  q
2 2

2q 2q 2q – pn
or, a p or, a –p  a
n n n

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.2

1. Find the sum of the following A. P’s.
(a) 8, 11, 14, 17,  up to 15 terms (b) 8, 3, –2, –7, –12,  up to n terms.
2. How many terms of the A. P.: 27, 23, 19, 15, ... have a sum 95?

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3. A man takes an interest-free loan of Rs. 1740 from his friend agreeing to repay in monthly
MODULE - II
instalments. He gives Rs. 200 in the first month and diminishes his monthly instalments by Sequences And
Rs. 10 each month. How many months will it take to repay the loan? Series

4. How many terms of the progression 3, 6, 9, 12, 

must be taken at the least to have a sum not less than 2000?
Notes
5. In a children potato race, n potatoes are placed 1 metre apart in a straight line. A competitor
starts from a point in the line which is 5 metre from the nearest potato. Find an expression
for the total distance run in collecting the potatoes, one at a time and bringing them back
one at a time to the starting point. Calculate the value of n if the total distance run is 162
metres.
6. If the sum of first n terms of a sequence be an2 + bn, prove that the sequence is an A. P.
and find its common difference ?

6.4 ARITHMETIC MEAN (A. M.)

When three numbers a, A and b are in A. P., then A is called the arithmetic mean of numbers a
and b. We have, A – a = b – A

a b
or, A=
2

a b
Thus, the required A. M. of two numbers a and b is . Consider the following A. P :
2
3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33.
There are five terms between the first term 3 and the last term 33. These terms are called
arithmetic means between 3 and 33. Consider another A. P. : 3, 13, 23, 33. In this case there
are two arithmetic means 13, and 23 between 3 and 33.
Generally any number of arithmetic means can be inserted between any two numbers a and b.
Let A1, A2, A3, ..., An be n arithmetic means between a and b, then.
a, A1, A2, A3 ..., An, b is an A. P.
Let d be the common difference of this A. P. Clearly it contains (n + 2) terms
 b = (n + 2)th term
= a + (n + 1) d
 ba
d
n 1

FG ba IJ
Now, A1 = a  d  A 1  a  H n 1 K ...(i)

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MODULE - II
Sequences And FG 2 (b  a ) IJ
Series
A2 = a  2d  A 2  a  H n 1 K ...(ii)

FG n( b  a ) IJ
Notes An = a  nd  An a  H n 1 K ... (n)

These are required n arithmetic means between a and b.

Adding (i), (ii), ..., (n), we get
ba
A1 + A2 + ... +An = na +  + n  1 1  2  ... n 

 b  a   n(n  1)  n (b  a) n(a  b)
 na      na  
 n 1   2  2 2
= n [Single A. M. between a and b]

Example 6.10 Insert five arithmetic means between 8 and 26.

Solution : Let A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 be five arithmetic means between 8 and 26.
Therefore, 8, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, 26 are in A. P. with a = 8, b = 26, n = 7
We have 26 = 8 + (7 – 1) d  d=3
 A1 = a + d = 8 + 3 = 11, A2 = a + 2d = 8 + 2 × 3 = 14
A3 = a + 3d = 17, A4 = a + 4d = 20, A5 = a + 5d = 23
Hence, the five arithmetic means between 8 and 26 are 11, 14, 17, 20 and 23.

Example 6.11 The 'n', A. M's between 20 and 80 are such that the ratio of the first mean
and the last mean is 1 : 3. Find the value of n.

Solution : Here, 80 is the (n+2)th term of the A. P., whose first term is 20. Let d be the
common difference.

60
 80 = 20 + (n+2–1) d or, 80 – 20 = (n+1) d or, d =
n 1
60 20n  20  60 20n  80
The first A. M. = 20  = =
n 1 n 1 n 1

60 80n  20
The last A. M. = 20  n  =
n 1 n 1

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MODULE - II
20n  80 80n  20 n4 1 Sequences And
We have : = 1 : 3 or, 
n 1 n 1 4n  1 3 Series
or, 4n + 1 = 3n + 12or, n = 11
 The number of A. M's between 20 and 80 is 11.
Notes

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.3

1. Prove that if the number of terms of an A. P. is odd then the middle term is the A. M.
between the first and last terms.
2. Between 7 and 85, m number of arithmetic means are inserted so that the ratio of
(m –3)th and mth means is 11 : 24. Find the value of m.
3. Prove that the sum of n arithmetic means between two numbers is n times the single A.
M. between them.
4. If the A. M. between pth and qth terms of an A. P., be equal and to the A. M. between rth
and sth terms of the A. P., then show that p + q = r + s.

6.5 GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION

Let us consider the following sequence of numbers :
1 1 1
(1) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16,  (2) 3, 1, , , 
3 9 27
(3) 1, – 3, 9, – 27,  (4) x, x2, x3, x4, 
If we see the patterns of the terms of every sequence in the above examples each term is related
to the leading term by a definite rule.
For Example (1), the first term is 1, the second term is twice the first term, the third term is 22
times of the leading term.
1
Again for Example (2), the first term is 3, the second term is times of the first term, third term
3
1
is times of the first term.
32
A sequence with this property is called a gemetric progression.
A sequence of numbers in which the ratio of any term to the term which immediately precedes
is the same non zero number (other than1), is called a geometric progression or simply G. P.
This ratio is called the common ratio.
Second term Third term
Thus,  
First term Second term ..... is called the common ratio of the geometric
progression.

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MODULE - II Examples (1) to (4) are geometric progressions with the first term 1, 3, 1, x and with common
Sequences And
1
Series ratio 2, , 3 , and x respectively..
3
The most general form of a G. P. with the first term a and common ratio r is a, ar, ar2, ar3, ...

Notes
6.5.1 GENERAL TERM
Let us consider a geometric progression with the first term a and common ratio r. Then its
terms are given by a, ar, ar2, ar3, ...
In this case, t1 = a = ar1-1 t2 = ar = ar2–1
t3 = ar2 = ar3–1 t4 = ar3 = ar4–1
... ...
On generalisation, we get the expression for the nth term as tn = arn–1 ... (A)
6.5.2 SOME PROPERTIES OF G. P.
(i) If all the terms of a G. P. are multiplied by the same non-zero quantity, the resulting series
is also in G. P. The resulting G. P. has the same common ratio as the original one.
If a, b, c, d, ... are in G. P.

then ak, bk, ck, dk ... are also in G. P.  k  0

(ii) If all the terms of a G. P. are raised to the same power, the resulting series is also in G. P.
Let a, b, c, d ... are in G. P.

the ak, bk, ck, dk, ... are also in G. P.  k  0

The common ratio of the resulting G. P. will be obtained by raising the same power to the
original common ratio.

Example 6.12 Find the 6th term of the G. P.: 4, 8, 16, ...

Solution : In this case the first term (a) = 4 Common ratio (r) = 8 ÷ 4 = 2
Now using the formula tn = arn–1, we get t6 = 4 × 26–1 = 4 × 32 = 128
Hence, the 6th term of the G. P. is 128.

Example 6.13 The 4th and the 9th term of a G. P. are 8 and 256 respectively. Find the G. P.

Solution : Let a be the first term and r be the common ratio of the G. P., then
t4 = ar4–1 = ar3, t9 = ar9–1 = ar8
According to the question, ar8 = 256  (1)
and ar3 = 8  (2)
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MODULE - II
ar 8 256 Sequences And
  or r5 = 32 = 25 r=2
ar 3 8 Series

8
Again from (2), a × 23 = 8  a 1
8
Therefore, the G. P. is 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ... Notes

Example 6.14 Which term of the G. P.: 5, –10, 20, – 40, ... is 320?

–10
Solution : In this case, a = 5; r   2 .
5
Suppose that 320 is the nth term of the G. P.
By the formula,tn = arn–1, we get tn = 5. (–2)n–1
 5. (–2)n–1 = 320 (Given)
 (–2)n–1 = 64 = (–2)6
 n – 1 = 6 n = 7 Hence, 320 is the 7th term of the G. P.

Example 6.15 If a, b, c, and d are in G. P., then show that (a + b)2, (b + c)2, and (c + d)2
are also in G. P.

b c d
Solution. Since a, b, c, and d are in G. P.,   
a b c
 b2 = ac, c2 = bd, ad = bc ...(1)
2
Now, (a + b)2 (c + d)2   a  b  c  d   = (ac + bc + ad + bd)2

= (b2 + c2 + 2bc)2 ...[Using (1)]

2
= (b  c ) 2

(c  d ) 2 (b  c) 2
  Thus, (a + b)2, (b + c)2, (c + d)2 are in G. P..
(b  c) 2 (a  b) 2

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.4

1
1. The first term and the common ratio of a G. P. are respectively 3 and  . Write down
2
the first five terms.

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MODULE - II 2. Which term of the G. P. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ... is 1024? Is 520 a term of the G. P.?
Sequences And
Series 3. Three numbers are in G. P. Their sum is 43 and their product is 216. Find the numbers in
proper order.
4. The nth term of a G. P. is 2 ×3n for all n. Find (a) the first term (b) the common ratio of the
G. P.
Notes
6.6 SUM OF n TERMS OF A G. P.
Let a denote the first term and r the common ratio of a G. P. Let Sn represent the sum of first
n terms of the G. P. Thus, Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ... + arn–2 + arn–1 ... (1)
Multiplying (1) by r, we get r Sn = ar + ar2 + .... + arn–2 + arn–1 + arn ... (2)
(1) – (2) Sn – rSn = a – arn or Sn (1 – r) = a (1 – rn)

a (1 – r n )
 Sn  ....(A)
1– r

a (r n – 1)
 ....(B)
r –1
Either (A) or (B) gives the sum up to the nth term when r 1. It is convenient to use formula
(A) when | r | < 1 and (B) when | r | >1.

Example 6.16 Find the sum of the G. P.: 1, 3, 9, 27, ... up to the 10th term.

3
Solution : Here the first term (a) = 1 and the common ratio  r    3
1

a  r n  1 1.(310 – 1) 310 – 1
Now using the formula, S n  , ( r >1) we get S10  
r 1 3–1 2

1
Example 6.17 Find the sum of the G. P.: , 1, 3 , ,  , 81
3

1
Solution : Here, a  ; r  3 and t = l = 81
n
3

1
Now tn = 81  ( 3 ) n –1  ( 3 ) n – 2
3

 ( 3) n2  34  ( 3)8  n – 2 = 8 or n = 10

154 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series
MODULE - II
1 10 10 Sequences And
3 –1  3 1
Series
 Sn  3 =
3 –1 3 3

Example 6.18 Find the sum of the G. P.: 0.6, 0.06, 0.006, 0.0006,  to n terms.
Notes

6 0.06 1
Solution. Here, a = 0.6 = and r  
10 0.6 10

a (1 – r n )
Using the formula Sn  , we have [ r <1]
1– r

n
6   1  
1    
10   10   6  1  2 1
Sn   1  n    1  n 
1 9  10  3  10 
1
10

2 FG
1 IJ
Hence, the required sum is
3 H
1– n .
10 K
1
Example 6.19 How many terms of the G. P.: 64, 32, 16,  has the sum 127 ?
2

32 1 1 255
Solution : Here, a  64, r   (<1) and Sn  127  .
64 2 2 2
a (1 – r n )
Using the formula Sn  , we get
1– r

R| F 1 I U|
64 S1 – G J V
n
R| F 1 I U|
64 S1 – G J V
n

Sn 
|T H 2 K |W |T H 2 K |W  255 ... (given)
1  1 2
1– 1–
2 2

  1 n  255 1 FG IJ  255 n

or 128 1     
  2   2 or 1–
2 H K 256
FG 1 IJ  1 – 255  1  FG 1 IJ  n = 8
n 8

or H 2 K 256 256 H 2 K
Thus, the required number of terms is 8.

MATHEMATICS 155
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II Example 6.20 Find the sum of the following sequence :

Sequences And
Series 2, 22, 222, ......... to n terms.
Solution : Let S denote the sum. Then
S = 2 + 22 + 222 +  to n terms = 2 (1 + 11 + 111 +  to n terms)
Notes 2
= (9 + 99 + 999 +  to n terms)
9

2

9
10  1  102  1  103  1  
... to n terms )

2

9
 
10  102  103  ... to n terms   1  1  1  ... to n terms 


RS
2 (10n – 1)
–n
UV
T W [10 10  10   is a G P with r =  10<1]
2 3
9 10 – 1

2 L10 n
– 1 – 9n O
 M P 2
 10  1  9n 
n
9N 9 Q 81
Example 6. 21 Find the sum up to n terms of the sequence:

0.7, 0.77, 0.777, 

Solution : Let S denote the sum, then
S = 0.7 + 0.77 + 0.777 +  to n terms
= 7(0.1 + 0.11 + 0.111 +  to n terms)

7
= (0.9 + 0.99 + 0.999 +  to n terms)
9

7
= (1–0.1) + (1–0.01) + (1 – 0.001) +  to n terms
9

7
= (1 + 1 + 1 + ... n terms) – (0.1 + 0.01 + 0.001 +  to n terms)
9

7  1 1 1 
 n    2  3   to n terms  
9   10 10 10 

156 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series
MODULE - II
 1 1  Sequences And
  1 n   Series
7  10 10  
 n   
9 1  (Since r < 1)
1
 10 

7 RS 1 FG1 IJ UV =  7 LM 9n – 1  10 OP = 7 9n – 1  10
n
Notes

H
= 9 n – 9 1 – 10n
T K W 9 N 9 Q 81 n

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.5

1. Find the sum of each of the following G. P's :
1 1 1 1
(a) 6, 12, 24, ... to 10 terms (b) 1,  , , ,  ... to 20 terms.
2 4 8 16
2. How many terms of the G. P. 8, 16, 32, 64,  have their sum 8184 ?

bl – a 2
3. Show that the sum of the G. P. a + b + ... + l is
b–a
4. Find the sum of each of the following sequences up to n terms.
(a) 8, 88, 888, ... (b) 0.2, 0.22, 0.222, ...

6.7 INFINITE GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION

So far, we have found the sum of a finite number of terms of a G. P. We will now learn to find out
1 1 1 1
the sum of infinitely many terms of a G P such as. 1, , , , , 
2 4 8 16

1
We will proceed as follows: Here a  1, r  .
2

1
The nth term of the G. P. is tn = and sum to n terms
2 n–1
1
1
Sn  2n  2  1  1  1
i.e., 1  n   2  2.
1  2  2n1
2
So, no matter, how large n may be, the sum of n terms is never more than 2.
So, if we take the sum of all the infinitely many terms, we shall not get more than 2 as answer.
Also note that the recurring decimal 0.3 is really 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 + ...
i.e., 0.3 is actually the sum of the above infinite sequence.

MATHEMATICS 157
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II On the other hand it is at once obvious that if we sum infinitely many terms of the G. P.
Sequences And 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ... we shall get a infiinite sum.
Series So, sometimes we may be able to add the infinitely many terms of G. P. and sometimes we may
not. We shall discuss this question now.
6.7.1 SUM OF INFINITE TERMS OF A G. P.
Notes Let us consider a G. P. with infinite number of terms and common ratio r.
Case 1 : We assume that | r | > 1
The expression for the sum of n terms of the G. P. is then given by

a(r n  1) a rn a
Sn    ... (A)
r 1 r 1 r 1
Now as n becomes larger and larger rn also becomes larger and larger. Thus, when n is
infinitely large and | r | > 1 then the sum is also infinitely large which has no importance in
Mathematics. We now consider the other possibility.
Case 2 : Let | r | < 1

a (1 – r n ) a ar n
Formula (A) can be written as S   –
1– r 1– r 1– r

Now as n becomes infinitely large, rn becomes infinitely small, i.e., as n   , r n 0, then
a
the above expression for sum takes the form S  1 – r

Hence, the sum of an infinite G. P. with the first term a and common ratio r is given by

a
S
1 – r , when | r | < 1 ...(i)

1 2 4 8
Example 6.22 Find the sum of the infinite G. P. , , ,  ,
3 9 27 81

2
– 2
a 
1
, r 9 – .
Solution : Here, the first term of the infinite G. P. is and 1 3
3
3

2 2
Here, | r |  –  1
3 3

158 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series
MODULE - II
1 1 Sequences And
3 3 1 Series

a
Using the formula for sum S  1 – r we have
S 
–2

FG IJ
2 5
1–
3 H K
1
3

1 Notes
Hence, the sum of the given G. P. is .
5

Example 6.23 Express the recurring decimal 0.3 as an infinite G. P. and find its value in
rational form.

Solution. 0.3 = 0.3333333 ...

= 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 + ....
3 3 3 3
  2  3  4  ...
10 10 10 10
3
3 r  102  1  1
The above is an infinite G. P. with the first term a  and 3 10
10
10

3 3
a 0.3  10  10  3  1
Hence, by using the formula S  1 – r , we get 1 9
1 9 3
10 10
1
Hence, the recurring decimal 0. 3 = 3 .

Example 6.24 The distance travelled (in cm) by a simple pendulum in consecutive seconds
are 16, 12, 9, ... How much distance will it travel before coming to rest ?

Solution : The distance travelled by the pendulum in consecutive seconds are, 16, 12, 9, ... is
12 3
an infinite geometric progression with the first term a = 16 and r    1.
16 4

a
Hence, using the formula S  1 – r we have

16 16
S   64
3 1  Distance travelled by the pendulum is 64 cm.
1–
4 4

MATHEMATICS 159
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II
8
Sequences And Example 6.25 The sum of an infinite G. P. is 3 and sum of its first two terms is . Find the
Series 3
first term.

Solution: In this problem S = 3. Let a be the first term and r be the common ratio of the given
infinite G. P.
Notes
8
Then according to the question. a  ar 
3

or, 3a (1  r )  8 ... (1)

a a
Also from S  1 – r , we have 3 
1 r

or, a  3(1  r ) ... (2)

From (1) and (2), we get.
3.3 (1 – r) (1 + r) = 8

8 1
or, 1 – r2  or,, r2 
9 9

1
or, r
3

 1 1
From (2), a = 3 1   = 2 or 4 according as r   .
 3 3

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.6

(1) Find the sum of each of the following inifinite G. P's :

1 1 1 2 3 2 3
(a) 1     (b)    
3 9 27 5 52 53 54
2. Express the following recurring decimals as an infinite G. P. and then find out their values
as a rational number. (a) 0.7 (b) 0.315

3. The sum of an infinite G. P. is 15 and the sum of the squares of the terms is 45. Find the
G.P.

1 1
4. The sum of an infinite G. P. is and the first term is . Find the G.P..
3 4

160 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series

6.8 GEOMETRIC MEAN (G. M.)

MODULE - II
Sequences And
If a, G, b are in G. P., then G is called the geometric mean between a and b. Series
If three numbers are in G. P., the middle one is called the geometric mean between the other two.
If a, G1, G2, ..., Gn, b are in G. P.,
Notes
then G1, G2, ... Gn are called n G. M.'s between a and b.
The geometric mean of n numbers is defined as the nth root of their product.
Thus if a1, a2, ..., an are n numbers, then their
1
G. M. = (a1, a2, ... an) n

G b
Let G be the G. M. between a and b, then a, G, b are in G. P  
a G

or, G2 = ab or, G = ab

 Geometric mean = Product of extremes

Given any two positive numbers a and b, any number of geometric means can be inserted
between them Let a1, a2, a3 ..., an be n geometric means between a and b.
Then a1, a1, a3, ....... an, b is a G. P.
Thus, b being the (n + 2)th term, we have
b = a rn+1

1
n 1 b  b  n1
or, r  or, r 
a a

F bI
1 2

Hence, a = ar = a  G J
n 1  b  n1
1
H aK , a2 = ar2 = a   
a
 
 
n
n  b  n 1
an  ar  a   
a

Further we can show that the product of these n G. M.'s is equal to nth power of the single
geometric mean between a and b.
Multiplying a1. a2, ... an, we have

MATHEMATICS 161
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II 1 2 n n ( n 1)
 1 2 n
Sequences And  b  n1

n 1 n 1 nb  b  2( n1)
Series a1 , a2  an  a   n a   n 1 n
a  
a a a

FG b IJ
n

d ab i
2 n
n

H aK
n
=a = (ab) 2   G n = (single G. M. between a and b)n
Notes

3 27
Example 6.26 Find the G. M. between and
2 2

Solution : We know that if a is the G. M. between a and b, then G  ab

3 27 3 27 9
 G. M. between and   
2 2 2 2 2

Example 6.27 Insert three geometric means between 1 and 256.

Solution : Let G1, G2, G3, be the three geometric means between 1 and 256.
Then 1, G1, G2, G3, 256 are in G. P.
If r be the common ratio, then t5 = 256 i.e, ar4 = 256 1. r4 = 256
or, r2 = 16 or, r = 4
When r = 4, G1 = 1. 4 = 4, G2 = 1. (4)2 = 16 and G3 = 1. (4)3 = 64
When r = – 4, G1 = – 4, G2 = (1) (–4)2 = 16 and G3 = (1) (–4)3 = –64
 G.M. between 1 and 256 are 4, 16, 64, or, – 4, 16, –64.

Example 6.28 If 4, 36, 324 are in G. P. insert two more numbers in this progression so that
it again forms a G. P.

Solution : G. M. between 4 and 36 = 4  36  144  12

G. M. between 36 and 324  36  324  6  18  108

If we introduce 12 between 4 and 36 and 108 betwen 36 and 324, the numbers
4, 12, 36, 108, 324 form a G. P.
 The two new numbers inserted are 12 and 108.

a n1  b n 1
Example 6.29 Find the value of n such that may be the geometric mean between
a n  bn
a and b.
162 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series

1 1
MODULE - II
Solution : If x be G. M. between a and b, then x  a  b 2 2 Sequences And
Series
a n 1  b n 1 1 1  12 12  n
 a b a  b 
n 1 n 1 n

2 2
 a b or,, a  b 
n n
a b  
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Notes
n n
or, a n1
b n1
a 2 2
b a b 2 2 or,, a n 1  a n 2 . b 2  a 2 b n 2  b n1

n
1
FG a 1 1
IJ  b FG a n
1 1 1
IJ 1 1

H K H K
a 2 2
– b2 2 2
– b2 n n
or, or,, a 2
b 2

FG a IJ F aI
n 1
2 n 0

G J
a 2
or,
b
n
1
2
 1 or,,
H bK H bK
1 –1
 n = 0 or, n 
2 2
6.8.1 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A. M. AND G.M.
Let a and b be the two numbers.
Let A and G be the A. M. and G. M. respectively between a and b

a b
 A= , G  ab
2

A–G=
a b
– ab =
d a i  d bi
2 2
– 2 ab
=
1
d a– b i 2
0
2 2 2

 A>G

Example 6.30 The arithemetic mean between two numbers is 34 and their geometric mean
is 16. Find the numbers.

Solution : Let the numbers be a and b. Since A. M. between a and b is 34,

a b
 = 34, or, a + b = 68 ... (1)
2
Since G. M. between a and b is 16,

 2 2
ab = 16 or, ab = 256 we know that (a – b) = (a + b) – 4 ab  (2)
= (68)2 – 4 × 256 = 4624 – 1024 = 3600

MATHEMATICS 163
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II
 a–b= 3600 = 60  (3)
Sequences And
Series Adding (1) and (3), we get, 2a = 128  a = 64
Subtracting (3) from (1), we get
2b = 8 or, b=4
Notes
 Required numbers are 64 and 4.

Example 6.31 The arithmetic mean between two quantities b and c is a and the two
geometric means between them are g1 and g2. Prove that g13 + g23 = 2 abc

bc
Solution : The A. M. between b and c is a  = a, or, b + c = 2a
2
Again g1 and g2 are two G. M.'s between b and c  b, g1, g2, c are in G. P.

F cI
1

r be the common ratio, then c = br or, r = G J

3

H bK
3
If

2
F cI
1

g = br = b G J
3  c 3
1 HbK and g2= br2 = b  
b

LMFG c IJ  FG c IJ OP b  c F1  c I b c  F b  c I
2

MNH b K H b K PQ = b GH b JK = GH b JK
3 3 2
 g13 + g23 = b

= bc (2a) [since b + c = 2a]

= 2abc

Example 6.32 The product of first three terms of a G. P. is 1000. If we add 6 to its second
term and 7 to its 3rd term, the three terms form an A. P. Find the terms of the G. P.

a
Solution : Let t1  , t2  a and t3  ar be the first three terms of G. P..
r

a
Then, their product = . a. ar = 1000 or, a3 = 1000, or,, a = 10
r
By the question, t1, t2 + 6, t3 + 7 are in A. P. ...(1)

164 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series
MODULE - II
a Sequences And
i.e. , a + 6, ar + 7 are in A. P..
r Series

a a
 (a + 6) – = (ar + 7) – (a + 6) or,, 2( a  6 )   ( ar  7 )
r r
Notes
10
or, 2(10  6)   (10r  7) [using (1)]
r
or, 32r = 10 + 10 r2 + 7r or, 10r2 – 25r + 10 = 0

25  625  400 25  15 1
 r    2,
20 20 2
10
When a = 10, r = 2. then the terms are , 10(2) i.e., 5, 10, 20
2
1 1 FG IJ
When a = 10, r 
2
then the terms are 10(2), 10, 10
2 HK
i.e., 20, 10, 5

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.7

1
1. Insert 8 G. M.'s between 8 and .
64
2. If a1 is the first of n geometric means between a and b, show that a1n+1 = an b

1 1 1
3. If G is the G. M. between a and b, prove that 2 2
 2 2
 2
G –a G –b G
4. If the A. M. and G. M. between two numbers are in the ratio m : n, then prove that the
numbers are in the ratio m  m 2 – n 2 : m – m2 – n 2

5. If A and G are respectvely arithmetic and geometric means between two numbers a and
b, then show that A > G.
13
6. The sum of first three terms of a G. P. is and their product is –1. Find the G. P..
12
7. The product of three terms of a G. P. is 512. If 8 is added to first and 6 is added to
second term, the numbers form an A. P., Find the numbers.
C

1A
% +
LET US SUM UP

 A sequence in which the difference of two cousecutive terms is always constant (  0) is

called an Arithmetic Progression (A. P.)
MATHEMATICS 165
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II  The general term of an A. P.

Sequences And
a, a + d, a + 2d, ... is given by tn = a + (n –1) d
Series
 S n, the sum of the first n terms of the A.P a, a+d, a+2d,... is given by
n
Sn   2a   n  1 d 
2
Notes
n
= (a + l), where l = a + (n – 1) d.
2
 tn = S n – S n – 1

a b
 An arithmetic mean between a and b is .
2
 A sequence in which the ratio of two consecutive terms is always constant (  0) is called
a Geometric Progression (G. P.)
 The nth term of a G. P.: a, ar, ar2, ... is arn – 1
 Sum of the first n terms of a G. P.: a, ar, ar2, ... is

a (r n – 1)
Sn = for | r | > |
r –1

a (1 – r n )
= for | r | < 1
1– r
 The sums of an infintite G. P. a, ar, ar2, ... is given by

a
S = for | r | < 1
1 r
 Geometric mean G between two numbers a and b is ab
 The arithmetic mean A between two numbers a and b is always greater than the
corresponding Geometric mean G i.e., A > G.

SUPPORTIVE WEB SITES

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXo0bG4iAyg
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy_L8tnihDM
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166 MATHEMATICS
 Sequences and Series
MODULE - II
Sequences And
TERMINAL EXERCISE Series

1. Find the sum of all the natural numbers between 100 and 200 which are divisible by 7.
2. The sum of the first n terms of two A. P.'s are in the ratio (2n – 1) : (2n + 1). Find the ratio
of their 10th terms. Notes

3. If a, b, c are in A. P. then show that b + c, c + a, a + b are also in A. P.

4. If a1, a2, ..., an are in A. P., then prove that

1 1 1 1 n –1
   ...  
a1 a 2 a 2 a 3 a 3 a 4 a n – 1 a n a1 a n

5. If (b – c)2, (c – a)2, (a – b)2 are in A. P., then prove that

1 1 1
, , , are also in A. P..
b–c c–a a –b
6. If t he p th , q th and r th t erms are P, Q, R respectively. Prove that
P (Q – R) + Q (R – P) + r (P – Q) = 0.

FG 1  1  1 IJ  a
Ha b c K
3
7. If a, b, c are in G. P. then prove that a2 b2 c2 3 3 3
 b3  c3

8. If a, b, c, d are in G. P., show that each of the following form a G. P. :

1 1 1
(a) (a2 – b2), (b2 – c2), (c2 – d2) (b) a 2  b 2 , b 2  c 2 , c 2 – d 2

9. If x, y, z are the pth, qth and rth terms of a G. P., prove that xq–r yr–p zp–q = 1
10. If a, b, c are in A. P. and x, y, z are in G. P. then prove that xb–c yc–a za–b = 1
11. If the sum of the first n terms of a G. P. is represented by Sn, then prove that
Sn (S3n – S2n) = (S2n – Sn)2
12. If p, q, r are in A. P. then prove that the pth, qth and rth terms of a G. P. are also in G. P.

1 1 1
13. If Sn = 1   2 ... + n–1 , find the least value of n such that
2 2 2

1
2 – Sn 
100
14. If the sum of the first n terms of a G. P. is S and the product of these terms is p and the sum
FG S IJ n

H RK
2
of their reciprocals is R, then prove that p 

MATHEMATICS 167
 Sequences and Series

MODULE - II
Sequences And ANSWERS
Series
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.1
1. (a) 2n – 1 (b) 2n + 1 2. 3, 5, 7, 9, ... 3. 20, 16
4. no 5. m + n 6. 10, 6, 2,
Notes
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.2

n
1. (a) 435 (b)  21  5n 2  2. 5 3. 12
2

4. 37 5. n 2  9n, 9 6. 2a
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6. 3
2. 5
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6. 4

3 3 3 3
1. 3, – , ,– , 2. 11th, no 3. 36, 6, 1 or 1, 6, 36
2 4 8 16
4. (a) 6 (b) 3
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.5

2 FG
1 IJ
1. (a) 6138 (b)
3 2H
1 – 20
K 2. 10.

80
c 8n
h 2n 2 FG
1 IJ
4. (a)
81
10n – 1 –
9
(b) –
9 81
1– n
10H K
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6. 6

3 13 7 52
1. (a) (b) 2. (a) (b)
2 24 9 165

10 20 40
3. 5, , , , ... 
3 9 27

1 1 1 1
4. , 2 , 3 , 4 , ... 
4 4 4 4
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 6.7

1 1 1 1 1 4 3 3 4
1. 4, 2,1, , , , , , 6. , 1, ... or , 1, ... 7. 4, 8, 16
2 4 8 16 32 3 4 4 3
TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. 2107 2. 37 : 39

168 MATHEMATICS