LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

Sequences and Series

1. [STPM ]
Evaluate

X
1
.
2r
10
r=1

[2 marks]

as a rational number in its lowest form.

Express 0.18

[2 marks]

[Answer :

1
2
,
]
99 11

2. [STPM ]
(1 + x2 )p
in ascending powers of x until the term in x3 .
[5 marks]
(1 x)q
r
1
13
(a) If p = q = , suggest a suitable value of x that enables
to be estimated using the above expansion.
2
10
r
13
Hence, estimate
correct to four decimal places.
[7 marks]
10
1
(b) If p = and q lies in the interval [0,9], and the largest possible coefficient of x3 .
[3 marks]
3

Find the expansion of

q(q + 1)
[Answer : 1 + qx + p +
2



q(q + 1)(q + 2)
1
x + pq +
x3 + . . . ; (a) x = , 1.1395 ; (b) 162]
6
5
2

3. [STPM ]

Express ( 2 1)5 in the form a 2 + b, where a, b are integers.

[3 marks]

[Answer : 29 2 41]
4. [STPM ]
The sum of the first 2n terms of a series P is 20n 4n2 . Find in terms of n, the sum of the first n terms of this
series. Show that this series is an arithmetic series.
[4 marks]
Series Q is an arithmetic series such that the sum of its first n even terms is more than the sum of its first n odd
terms by 4n. Find the common difference of the series Q.
[5 marks]
If the first term of series Q is 1, determine the minimum value of n such that the difference between the sum of
the first n terms of series P and the sum of the first n terms of series Q is more than 980.
[6 marks]
[Answer : Sn = 10n n2 ; d = 4 ; n = 21]
5. [STPM ]

Simplify (1 + 2 3)5 (1 2 3)5 .

[4 marks]

[Answer : 1076 3]
6. [STPM ]
1
. . . and S denotes the sum to
3
infinity of this series. Find the smallest n such that |S Sn | < 0.0001.
[7 marks]

(a) Sn denotes the sum of the first n terms of a geometric series 3 1 +

(b) The first and the second term of an arithmetic series equal respectively the first and the second term of a
geometric series. The third term of the geometric series exceeds the third term of the arithmetic series by
3. The arithmetic series has a positive common difference and the sum of its first three terms equals 54.
Find the first term of both series. Find also the common difference of the arithmetic series and the common
ratio of the geometric series.
[8 marks]

kkleemaths.com

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

3
2

[Answer : (a) 10 ; (b) a = 12 , d = 6 , r = ]

7. [STPM ]
Given that the sum of the first n terms of a series is n log pq n+1 . Show that
(a) the n-th term of the series is log pq 2n ,
(b) this is an arithmetic series.

[2 marks]
[3 marks]

8. [STPM ]
1

Expand (1 + x) 5 in ascending power of x until the term in x3 . By taking x =

1

1
, find the approximation for
40

32.8 5 correct to four decimal places.

[7 marks]
1
1 + ax
If the expansion of
and (1 + x) 5 are the same until the term in x2 , find the values of a and b. Hence,
1 + bx
203
.
[8 marks]
show that 32.8
101
1
5

[Answer : 1 + x

2 2
6 3
3
2
x +
x + . . . , 2.0101 ; a = , b = ]
25
125
5
5

9. [STPM ]

1
1
Expand (1 + 8x) 2 in the ascending power of x until the term in x3 . By taking x =
, find 3 correct to five
100
decimal places.
[4 marks]
[Answer : 1 + 4x 8x2 + 32x3 + . . . ; 1.73205]

10. [STPM ]
a(1 rn )
.
1r
Give the condition on r such that lim Sn exists, and express this limit in terms of a and r.

Given that Sn = a + ar + ar2 + . . . + arn1 , with a 6= 0. Show that Sn =

n

[5 marks]

(a) Determine the smallest integer n such that

4
1+ +
3

 2
 n
4
4
+ ... +
> 21.
3
3
[5 marks]

(b) Find the sum to infinity

32 (1 x)2 + 33 (1 x)3 + . . . + 3r (1 x)r + . . .
and determine the set of x such that this sum exists.
[Answer : |r| < 1,

[5 marks]

9(1 x)2
2
4
a
; (a) 7 ; (b)
, {x : < x < }]
1r
3x 2
3
3

11. [STPM ]
The sum and product of three consecutive terms of an arithmetic progression are 3 and 24 respectively. Determine the three possible terms of the arithmetic progression.
[5 marks]
[Answer : 4,-1,-6 or -6,-1,4]
12. [STPM ] 
x n
Expand 1
where n is a positive integer in ascending powers of x until the term in x3 . If the coefficient
n
1
of x3 is , find n.
[6 marks]
27


n
1
x
With this value of n, obtain the expansion of 1
(1 x) 2 in ascending powers of x until the term in x3 .
n
[5 marks]

1
Hence, by taking x = , find the approximation of 10 accurate to 3 decimal places.
10
kkleemaths.com

[4 marks]

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

[Answer : 1 x +

2: Sequences and Series

n 1 2 (n 1)(n 2) 3
17 2
61 3
3
x
x
x . . . ; 10 3.162]
x + ... , n = 3 ; 1 x +
2n
6n2
2
24
432

13. [STPM ]
Express

1
in partial fractions. Hence show that
(4r 3)(4r + 1)


n
X
1
1
1
=
1
.
(4r 3)(4r + 1)
4
4n + 1
r=1
[6 marks]

[Answer :

1
1

]
4(4r 3)
4(4r + 1)

14. [STPM ]
Given that y =

1
1

, where x > , show that, provided x 6= 0,

2
1 + 2x + 1 + x
y=

1
( 1 + 2x 1 + x).
x
[3 marks]
2

Using the second form for y, express y as a series of ascending powers of x as far as the term in x .
1
Hence, by putting x =
, show that
100
79407
10

.
160000
102 + 101

[6 marks]

[3 marks]

[Answer : y =

1
3
7 2
x+
x + . . .]
2
8
16

15. [STPM ]
Determine the set of x such that the geometric series 1 + ex + e2x + . . . converges. Find the exact value of x so
that the series converges to 2.
[6 marks]
[Answer : {x : x < 0} ; x = ln 2]
16. [STPM ]
Express

1
as partial fraction.
4k 2 1

Hence, find a simple expression for Sn =

[4 marks]
n
X
k=1

1
and find lim Sn .
n
4k 2 1
[Answer :

[4 marks]

1
1
1

; Sn =
2(2k 1)
2(2k + 1)
2


1

1
2n + 1


;

1
]
2

17. [STPM ]
1
1+x 2
Express
as a series of ascending powers of x up to the term in x3 .
1 + 2x

1
By taking x =
, find 62 correct to four decimal places.
30


1
2

[6 marks]
[3 marks]

7
8

[Answer : 1 x + x2

25 3
x + . . . ; 62 = 7.8740]
16

18. [STPM ]
2
in partial fractions.
r2 + 2r
Using the result obtained,
Express ur =

[3 marks]

kkleemaths.com

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

1
1
1
1
(a) show that u2r = + 2 +
,
[2 marks]
+
r
r
r + 2 (r + 2)2

n


X
X
X
3
1
1
1
(b) show that
ur =

and determine the values of

ur and
ur+1 + r . [9 marks]
2 n+1 n+2
3
r=1
r=1
r=1
[Answer :

1
1
3 4

; (b) , ]
r
r+2
2 3

19. [STPM ]

1
Expand (1 x) 2 in ascending powers of x up to the term in x3 . Hence, find the value of 7 correct to five
decimal places.
[5 marks]
1
2

1
8

[Answer : 1 x x2

1 3
x ; 7 2.64609]
16

20. [STPM ]
Prove that the sum of the first n terms of a geometric series a + ar + ar2 + . . . is
a(1 rn )
.
1r
[3 marks]

(a) The sum of the first five terms of a geometric series is 33 and the sum of the first ten terms of the geometric
series is -1023. Find the common ratio and the first term of the geometric series.
[5 marks]
3
(b) The sum of the first n terms and the sum to infinity of the geometric series 6 3 + . . . are Sn and S
2
respectively. Determine the smallest value of n such that |Sn S | < 0.001.
[7 marks]
[Answer : (a) r = 2, a = 3 ; (b) n = 12]
21. [STPM ]
For the geometric series 7 + 3.5 + 1.75 + 0.875 + ..., find the smallest value of n for which the different between
the sum of the first n terms and the sum to infinity is less than 0.01.
[6 marks]
[Answer : 11]
22. [STPM ]
Express f (x) =

x2 x 1
in partial fractions.
(x + 2)(x 3)

[5 marks]

1
1
up to the term in 3 .
x
x
Determine the set of values of x for which this expansion is valid.
Hence, obtain an expansion of f (x) in ascending powers of

[Answer : 1 +

[6 marks]
[2 marks]

1
1
5
5

, 1 + 2 + 3 + . . . , {x : x < 3, x > 3}]

x3
x+2
x
x

23. [STPM ]
If x is so small that x2 and higher powers of x may be neglected, show that

x 10
(1 x)6 2 +
29 (2 7x).
2
[4 marks]

24. [STPM ]
10Tn
5
The nth term of an arithmetic progression is Tn , show that Un = (2)2( 17 ) is the nth term of a geometric
2
progression.
[4 marks]

X
1
If Tn = (17n 14), evaluate
Un .
[4 marks]
2
n=1

kkleemaths.com

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

[Answer :

25. [STPM ]
Express the infinite recurring decimal 0.72 5 (= 0.7252525 . . . ) as a fraction in its lowest terms.

10
]
3

[4 marks]

[Answer :

359
]
495

26. [STPM ]
At the beginning of this year, Mr. Liu and Miss Dora deposited RM10 000 and RM2000 respectively in a
bank. They receive an interest of 4% per annum. Mr Liu does not make any additional deposit nor withdrawal,
whereas, Miss Dora continues to deposit RM2000 at the beginning of each of the subsequent years without any
withdrawal.
(a) Calculate the total savings of Mr. Liu at the end of n-th year.

[3 marks]

(b) Calculate the total savings of Miss Dora at the end of n-th year.

[7 marks]

(c) Determine in which year the total savings of Miss Dora exceeds the total savings of Mr. Liu.

[5 marks]

[Answer : (a) 10000(1.04)n ; (b) 52000[1.04n 1]; (c) 6]

27. [STPM ]
3
+ . . ., obtain the smallest value of n if the difference between the sum of the first
2
45
n + 4 terms and the sum of first n terms is less than
.
[6 marks]
64
For geometric series 6 + 3 +

[Answer : 5]
28. [STPM ]
Determine the set of values of x such that the geometric series ex + e2x + e3x + . . . converges.
Find the exact value of x if the sum to infinity of the series is 3.

[6 marks]

4
3

[Answer : {x : x > 0} ; x = ln ]
29. [STPM ]
Given f (x) =

x3 3x 4
,
(x 1)(x2 + 1)

B
Cx + D
+ 2
,
[5 marks]
x1
x +1
(b) when x is sufficiently small such that x4 and higher powers can be neglected, show that f (x) 4 + 7x +
3x2 x3 .
[4 marks]
(a) find the constants A, B, C and D such that f (x) = A +

[Answer : (a) A = 1, B = 3, C = 4, D = 0]
30. [STPM ]
Show that

n
X
r2 + r 1
r=1

r2 + r

n2
.
n+1

[4 marks]

31. [STPM ]
The sum of the first n terms of a progression 3n2 . Determine the n-th term of the progression, and hence, deduce
the type of progression.
[4 marks]
[Answer : 6n 3, Arithmetic Progression]

kkleemaths.com

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

32. [STPM ]
Express in partial fractions
3
.
(3r 1)(3r + 2)
[4 marks]

Show that

n
X
r=1

1
1
3
=
,
(3r 1)(3r + 2)
2 (3n + 2)
[2 marks]

and hence, find

X
r=1

1
.
(3r 1)(3r + 2)
[2 marks]

[Answer :

1
1
1

, ]
3r 1
3r + 2 6

33. [STPM ]
A sequence is defined by ur = e(r1) er for all integers r 1. Find
value of

n
X

ur in terms of n, and deduce the

r=1

ur .

[5 marks]

r=1

[Answer : 1 en ; 1]
34. [STPM ]
The sequence u1 , u2 , u3 , . . . is defined by un+1 = 3un , u1 = 2.
(a) Write down the first five terms of the sequence.

[2 marks]

(b) Suggest an explicit formula for ur .

[2 marks]

[Answer : 2, 6, 18, 54, 162 , ur = 2(3)r1 ]

35. [STPM ]
1 + ax
, where |b| < 1, in ascending powers of x up to the term in x3 . Determine the set
1 + bx
of values of x for which both the expansions are valid.
[7 marks]
2

Expand (1 + x) 3 and

If the two expansions are identical up to the term in x2 ,

(a) determine the values of a and b,
[3 marks]

1
212
3
.
[3 marks]
(b) use x = to obtain the approximation 81
8
49
(c) find, correct to five decimal places, the difference between the terms in x3 for the two expansions with
1
x= .
[2 marks]
8
2
3

1
9

[Answer : 1 + x x2 +

4 3
5
1
x + . . . , 1 + (a b)x + b(b a)x2 + b2 (a b)x3 + . . ., |x| < 1 ; (a) a = , b = ; (c)
81
6
6
0.00006]

36. [STPM ]
A sequence a1 , a2 , a3 , . . . is defined by an = 3n2 . The difference between successive terms of the sequence forms
a new sequence b1 , b2 , b3 , . . ..
kkleemaths.com

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

2: Sequences and Series

(a) Express bn in terms of n.

[2 marks]
(b) Show that b1 , b2 , b3 , . . . is an arithmetic sequence, and state its first term and common difference. [3 marks]
(c) Find the sum of the first n terms of the sequence b1 , b2 , b3 , . . . in terms of an and bn .
[2 marks]
[Answer : (a) 6n + 3 , (b) 9, 6 ; (c) an + bn 3]
37. [STPM ]

Write the infinite recurring decimal 0.131 8(=

0.13181818 . . .) as the sum of a constant and a geometric series.
Hence, express the recurring decimal as a fraction in its lowest terms.
[4 marks]
[Answer :

29
]
220

38. [STPM ]
(a) Express

1
in partial fractions, and deduce that
(r2 1)


1
1
1
1

.
r(r2 1)
2 r(r 1) r(r + 1)
[4 marks]

Hence, use the method of differences to find the sum of the first (n 1) terms, Sn1 , of the series
1
1
1
1
+
+
+ ... +
+ ...,
2 3 3 8 4 15
r(r2 1)
and deduce Sn .

[6 marks]

1
(b) Explain why the series converges to , and determine the smallest value of n such that
4
1
Sn < 0.0025.
4
[5 marks]

[Answer : (a)

1
1
1

; (b) Sn1 =
2(r 1)
2(r + 1)
2




1
1
1 1
1

, Sn =

; (c) 13]
2
n(n + 1)
2 2
(n + 1)(n + 2)

39. [STPM ]

6
6
6
Use the binomial
expansions
of
(
3
+
2)
and
(
3

2)
to
evaluate
(
3
+
2)
+
(
3 2)6 . Hence, show that

2701 < ( 3 + 2)6 < 2702.

[7 marks]
[Answer : 2702]
40. [STPM ]
(a) Show that for a fixed number x 6= 1, 3x2 + 3x3 + . . . + 3xn is a geometric series, and find its sum in terms
of x and n.
[4 marks]
(b) The series Tn (x) is given by
Tn (x) = x + 4x2 + 7x3 + . . . + (3n 2)xn , for x 6= 1.
By considering Tn (x) xTn (x) and using the result from (a), show that
Tn (x) =

x + 2x2 (3n + 1)xn+1 + (3n 2)xn+2

.
(1 x)2
[5 marks]

Hence, find the value of

20
X

2r (3r 2), and deduce the value of

r=1

19
X
r=0

kkleemaths.com

2r+2 (3r + 1).

[6 marks]

LEE KIAN KEONG

STPM MATHEMATICS (T)

[Answer : (a) sum=

2: Sequences and Series

3x2 (xn1 1)
; (b) 115343370 , 230686740]
x1

41. [STPM ]
1 5x
in ascending powers of x are the same.
1 3x
Determine the range of values of x for which both expansions are valid.
[6 marks]
1
1

5x
[3 marks]
Use the result (1 8x)4
to obtain an approximation of (0.84) 4 as a fraction.
1 3x

Show that the first three terms in the expansions of (1 8x)4 and

1
8

1
8

[Answer : {x < , x > } , 0.84 4

kkleemaths.com

45
]
47