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 MARKS 1

Progression & Series

3 . I N T RODU CT I ON
A sequence is a function whose domain is the set N of natural numbers.
For example 4, 1, 3 is a sequence.
whereas Series is an expression achieved by adding or subtracting the terms in sequence.
i.e. if a1, a2, a3, .... an is a sequence, then the expression a 1 + a2 + a3 ... + a n is a series.
A series is finite or infinite according as the number of terms in the corresponding sequence is finite
or infinite.
It is not necessary that the terms of a sequence always follow a certain pattern or they are described
by some formula or its rth term.
Progression are sequences whose terms follow certain patterns.
We will discuss some of the common progressions now.

3 .1 A r i t h m e t ic Pr o g r e s s i o n
An arithmetic progression is a sequence of numbers where each new term after the first is
formed by adding a fixed amount called the common difference to the previous term in the sequence.
For example the sequence 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 ... is an arithmetic progression. Note that having chosen the first
term to be 3, each new term is found by adding 2 to the previous term, so the common difference is 2.
The common difference can be negative : for example the sequence 2, ă 1, ă 4, ă 7, ... is an
arithmetic progression with first term 2 and common difference ă 3. In general we can write an arithmetic
progression as follows :
arithmetic progression : a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, ...
where the first term is a and the common difference is d. Some important results concerning
arithmetic progressions (A.P.) now follow :

The n th term of an a.p. is given by : a + (n ă 1)d

and in general
an = a m + (n ă m)d .
A finite portion of an arithmetic progression is called a finite arithmetic progression and
sometimes just called an arithmetic progression.

tn ă tnă1 is constant for all n  N. This constant d = tn ă tnă1

n th term from the end

If ÂaÊ is the first term of an AP & ÂdÊ is the common difference, then the mth term from end is
(n ă m + 1) th term from the beginning. (where n is the no. of terms in AP).

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Illustration 1
Show that the sequence defined by a n = 2n 2 + 1 is not an A.P.
Solution :
We have an = 2n2 + 1
replacing n by n + 1
an+1 = 2 (n + 1)2 + 1
According to the definition of AP the difference of two consecutive terms is always a constant.
So, if the sequence has to be in AP then the difference an + 1 ă an should be a constant.
Now, an+1 ă a n = [2 (n + 1)2 + 1] ă (2n2 + 1)
= (2 (n2 + 2n + 1) + 1) ă (2n 2 + 1)
= 4n + 2
 (an + 1 ă a n) is not a constant, not independent of n so the given sequence is not an AP.

Illustration 2
Find the number of terms common to the two APs : 3, 7, 11, ... 407 and 2, 9, 16 ..., 709
Solution :
Let the no. of terms in two APÊs be m and n.
Then nth term of Ist AP = 407  m = 3 + (m ă 1)4
nth term of 2nd AP = 709  n = 2 + (n ă 1)7
 m = 102
& n = 102
So each AP consists of 102 terms.
Let pth term of first AP be identical to qth term of second AP.
Then 3 + (p ă 1) = 2 + (q ă 1)7
 4p ă 1 = 7q ă 5
 4p + 4 = 7a
 4 (p + 1) = 7q

p 1 q
  K
7 4
 p = 7K ă 1 & q = 4K
and we know that p has to be less than 102 & q also has to be less than 102
Since the total no. of terms are 102
for p = 7K ă 1  102
we get 7K  103

103 5
K  K  14 ... (i)
7 7

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from q = 4K  102

 K  25ó ... (ii)

from (i) & (ii) we get
K  14  K = 1, 2, 3, ... 14

3 .1 .3 Su m (t h e a r i t h m e t i c s e r i e s )
The sum of the numbers of a finite arithmetic progression is called an arithmetic series.
Express the arithmetic series in two different ways :

Sn = a 1 + (a1 + d) + (a 1 + 2d ) + ... + (a1 + (n ă 2)d ) + (a1 + (n ă 1)d )

Sn = (a n ă (n ă 1)d) + (an ă (n ă 2)d) + ... + (a n ă 2d) + (a n ă d) + an.
Add both sides of the two equations. All terms involving d cancel, and so weÊre left with :

2Sn = n (a1 + an).

Rearranging and remembering that an = a1 + (n ă 1)d, we get

n a 1  a n  n  2a 1   n  1 d 
Sn  
2 2

Guassian Trick
Let us write the sum of the natural numbers upto n in two ways as :
Sn = 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + (n ă 2) + (n ă 1) + n
Sn = n + (n ă 1) + (n ă 2) + ... + 3 + 2 + 1

If we add these two series we get :

2Sn = (n + 1) + (n + 1) + ... + (n + 1)
There are n of these (n + 1)Ês, so
2Sn = n (n + 1)
Sn = n (n + 1)/2
The sum of the natural numbers from 1 to n is therefore half the product of the first term plus the
last one multiplied by the number of terms.

M o r e Pr o p e r t i e s o f A .P. :
(1) If a fixed number is added (subtracted) to each term of a given AP then resulting sequence
is also AP with same common difference as given AP.
tn = a + (n ă 1)d , now let g be subtracted from each term.
tn = (a ă g) + (n ă 1)d. Therefore only the first term of AP has changed.

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(2) If each term of an AP is multiplied (or divided) by fixed constant then resulting sequence is
also an AP with common difference multiplied (or divided) by same constant.

(3) Sum and difference of corresponding terms of two APÊs will form an AP

Let first AP be

a1, a1 + d1 , a1 + 2d 1, ......., a1 + (n ă 1)d 1

And second AP be

a2, a2 + d2 , a2 + 2d 2, ........., a 2 + (n ă 1)d 2

So, Tr = t1r + t 2r
= (a1 + (r ă 1)d 1 + (a2 + (r ă 1)d2)
= (a1 + a 2) + (r ă 1)(d 1 + d2 )
So, resulting sequence is A.P. with first term a1 + a2 and common difference d 1 + d2.

(4) If we want to pick terms of an AP then convenient way of doing that is :

For three termÊs in AP we choose a ă d, a , a + d .
For four terms in AP we choose a ă 3d, a ă d, a + d , a + 3d

Note : Ć for odd no. of terms the middle term is a & common difference is d.
Ć for even no. of terms the middle term is a ă d & a + d whereas common difference is 2d.

5. In a finite AP the sum of terms equidistant from the beginning and end is always same &
equal to sum of first & last term i.e.,
ak + a n ă (k ă 1)
= a1 + an
for k  1, 2, ... n ă 1

6. tn = S n ă S nă1

7. If a, b, c are in AP  2b = a + c or b ă a = c ă b.

8. A sequence is in AP.
Ć iff its nth term is a linear expression in n i.e. an = An + B (where A & B are constant)
& A is the common difference and
Ć iff sum of its n terms is of form An2 + Bn, in such cases common difference is 2A.

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Illustration 3

1 2
Find the number of terms in the series 20, 10 , 18 ....... of which the sum is 300.
2 2
Solution :
2
Here we observe that a = 20, d   , and S n = 300.
3

n  2 
So, 2  2  20   n  1  3    300
  
n2 ă 61n + 900 = 0
 n = 25 or 36.

Illustration 4
Find the sum of first 24 terms of the AP : a 1 , a 2, a 3 ... if it is known that
a 1 + a 5 + a 10 + a 15 + a 20 + a24 = 225.
Solution :
We know that in AP the sum of terms equidistant from beginning & end is equal & same to the
sum of first & last term. i.e. a1 + a n = a 2 + a nă1 = a 3 + a nă2 & so on.
So here a1 + a 24 = a 5 + a20 = a10 + a15 ... (i)
Now a1 + a 5 + a 10 + a15 + a 20 + a24 = 225
(a1 + a24) + (a 5 + a20) + (a 10 + a 15 ) = 225
 3 (a1 + a 24 ) = 225 {from (i)}
 (a1 + a 24 ) = 75 ... (ii)

24
 S 24   a1  a24 
2
from (ii)
S24 = 12 (75)
= 900

Illustration 5
The interior angles of a polygon are in AP. The smallest angle is 120Ĉ and the common
difference is 5Ĉ. Find the number of sides of polygon.
Solution :
Let the polygon be of ÂnÊ sides
So for a polygon of n sides, the sum of all its interior angles is given by
Sn = (n ă 2) ï 180 (i) (try to solve this on your own).

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Hence the interior angles form an AP with a = 120 & d = 5

n
 Sn   2  120   n  1 5 ... (ii)
2

equating (i) & (ii)

n
2  120   n  1 5    n  2  180
2 
n (5n + 240 ă 5) = (n ă 2) ï 360
n (5n + 235) = (n ă 2) ï 360
5n2 + 235n = 360n ă 720
 5n2 ă 125n + 720 = 0
 n2 ă 25n + 144 = 0
(n = 16) or n = 9
But the question is not over yet.
We have to check whether the values are correct or not for n = 16.
The last angle is
an = a + (n ă 1)d  a16 = 120 + (16 ă 1)5 = 190
Which is not possible (since we are looking for interior angles only)
 The solution is n = 9

3 .1 .1 A r i t h m e t i c M e a n (A M )
When three quantities are in AP, then the middle one is a arithmetic mean of other two.
If a and b are two numbers and A is arithmetic mean of a and b, then a, A, b are in AP.
 Aă a =b ăA

ab
 A
2

So if a, b, c are 3 numbers in AP then b is the arithmetic mean of a & c.

 bă a =c ă b

a c
 b
2

3 .1 .1 .1 I n s e r t i n g n a r i t h m e t i c m e a n s b e t w e e n t w o n u m b e r
A1, A2 , A3, ........ An are called n arithmetic means between two numbers a and b,
if the series a, A1 , A2, A 3, A 4, ....., An, b is an AP.
For this AP, first term is a, number of terms is (n + 2), & the lastterm = b = Tn+2.

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Let d be the common difference of this AP, then

 Tn+2 = b = a + {(n + 2) ă 1}d
 b = a + (n + 1)d

b a
 d
n 1

b a b a
 A1 = a + d = a + and A2 = a + 2d = a + 2
n 1 n1

ba
In general k th arithmetic mean is Ak = a + kd = a + k
n1

Property of AM

 a  b
Ć Sum of all AMÊs inserted between two numbers a & b is n  
 2 

n
 a  b
i.e.  A i  n 2 

i 1

b  a 
Proof : We know A i  a  i
n 1

n n n
b  a
So  Ai   a   i n 1
i 1 i 1 i 1

n b a n
= a  1   n  a  i
i 1   i 1

 b  a
= a  n    n  1  1  2  3...n 
 

 b  a   n n  1 
= a  n    n 1   
  2 

 b  a n
= an 
2

 b  a n  a  b
= n a   =
 2  2

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Illustration 6

13
The sum of 2 numbers is . An even number of arithmetic means are inserted between
6
them and their sum exceeds their number by 1. Find the number of means inserted.
Solution :
Let the 2 numbers be a & b.

13
then, a+ b = ... (i)
6
Suppose A1 , A2 .... A2N be 2n arithmetic means inserted between a & b.

 a  b
Then A1 + A2 + ... A2n = 2 n 
 2 
 n
(  We know that sum of AMÊs is  a  b )
2
putting value from (i)

 13 
 A1 + A2 ... A2n = n   ... (ii)
 6
Also it is given in the question that

A 1 + A2 .... A2n = 2n + 1 ... (iii)

equating (ii) & (iii)

 13 
n   2 n  1
6 
 13n = 12n + 6

 n= 6

 12 means are inserted between a & b.

3 .2 Ge o m e t r i c Pr o g r e s s i o n
A geometric progression is a sequence of numbers where each term after the first is found by
multiplying the previous term by a fixed number called the common ratio. The sequence 1, 3, 9, 27,
.... is a geometric progression with first term 1 and common ratio 3. The common ratio could be a fraction
and it might be negative. In general we can write a geometric progression as follows :
geometric progression : a, ar, ar2, ar3
where the first term is a and the common ratio is r.
Some important results concerning geometric progressions (G.P.) now follows :

The nth term of a g.p. is given by a r nă1.

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n th term from the end

The nth term from the end of a finite G.P. consisting of m terms is a r măn , where a is the first term and
r is the common ratio.
n 1
th 1
Note : If we are given the last term of G.P, say l, then the n term from end is given by l  
r 

Illustration 7

a 2 ab  b2 b  a
If a , b, c are in GP, then prove 
bc  ca  a b cb

Solution :
If a, b, c are in GP, then
b = ar
& c = ar2
Now, putting these values in LHS
L.H.S

a  a( ar )   ar 
2 2

     
= ar ar 2  ar 2 a  a ar
   

a2  a2r  a 2r2
=
a 2r 3  a 2r 2  a 2r


a2 1  r  r2 1
a r r  r  1 r
= 2 2

R.H.S.

b a ar  a a  r  1
= c b  2 
ar  ar ar (r  1)

1
=
r

L.H.S. = R.H.S.
Hence proved

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Illustration 8
In a finite GP the product of terms equidistant from the beginning and the end is always
same and equal to the product of first and last term.

Solution :
Let a1 , a2 ... ană1, an be a finite GP with common ratio r.
kth term from beginning = a1 rkă1
kth term from end = an ă k+ 1

k1
1 
= an  
r 

multiplying both the terms

k 1
a k . anăk + 1 
= a1 an r  
r

k1  1 
 a1 an

Hence proved.
Note : This can be taken as a standard result.

Illustration 9
If a x = b y = cz and x, y, z are in GP prove that logb a = logc b.

Solution :
Given that ax = by = c2
taking log x log a = y log b = 2 log c ... (i)
also x, y, z are in GP
then y = xr & z = xr2 (where ÂrÊ is the common ratio)

from (i) y log b = 2 log c

x log a = y log b  xr log b = xr2 log c

log a log b
 r ... (ii)  r ...(iii)
log b log c

from (ii) & (iii)  logb a = log c b

log a log b  log a 

   log b a 
log b log c  log b 

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Su m (Ge o m e t r i c Se r i e s )
The sum of first n terms of a GP :


 a r n 1
  if r  1
Sn   r  1

 na if r  1

Case 1 : Suppose r =1

Sn = a + a + a + ...... + a = na

Case 2 : If r  1

Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar 3 + ........... arnă2 + arnă1 + ar n ... (i)

rSn = ar + ar2 + ......... + ar nă2 + ar nă1 + arn ... (ii)

So, now (1) ă (2) gives

Sn ă rSn = arn

Sn (1 ă r) = a(1 ă rn)

 Sn 

a r n 1 
 r 1

Special case when n   (i.e. infinite number of terms)

  a
If |r|< 1 and n   then  nlim Sn  
   1 r

Sn 

a 1 rn 
1 r

a ar n
Now lim Sn  lim  lim
n  n  1  r n   1 r

a
=  0  as lim r n  0  = a
1r  n   1 r

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3 .2 .2 Pr o p e r t i e s o f G.P. :
(1) If each term of a G.P. is multiplied (or divided) by some non-zero quantity the resulting
progression is G.P. with some common ratio.
Suppose the G.P. is with tn = arnă1
Now this GP is multiplied by some k ( 0)
So G.P. will be
tn = (ak)r nă1
So, only the first term of G.P. has changed and the common ratio remains unaffected.

(2) If a 1, a 2, .... and b 1, b 2, ..... be two G.PÊs of common ratio r1 and r2 respectively, then a1b1, a 2b2,

a1 a2 r1
... and . ..... will also form G.P. common ratio will be r1r 2 and respectively.
b1 b2 r2

Let the series a1 , a2 ........... have the n th term as a1r 1nă1 and the series b 1 , b2 ........ have nth
term as b 1r2 nă1
So the series a1 b 1, a 2b2 ........ will have nth term as
(a1r1nă1 )(b1 r2nă1)
= (a 1b 1)(r1r 2)nă1
So the common ratio now becomes r1r2.

a
(3) If we have to take three terms in G.P. we take them as , a , ar with common ratio r and four
r

a a
terms as , ,ar ,ar 3 with common ratio r 2.
r3 r

(4) If a, b, c are in G.P then b 2 = ac

(5) If a 1, a2 , a3 ........ an is a G.P. then log a 1, log a 2 ...... log an is an AP (provided that all terms
are non-zero & non-negative).
Why ?
Now a1 , a2 , a3 ...... a n form a G.P.
So a1 = a 1r iă1 (Let)
 log ai = log a1 + (i ă 1) logr
This is clearly term of an AP
(1) How does log a1 + (i ă 1) log r represents an AP?
Ans. Let log a1 = A
And log r = D

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So, log a1 + (i ă 1) log r = A + (i ă 1) D

So, A + (i ă 1) D is term of an AP with first term as A and common difference as D.

6. In a finite GP the product of the terms equidistant from the beginning and the end is always
same and is equal to product of first & last terms.
i.e. a k an ăk+1 = a1 an for k = 1, 2, 3 ... n ă 1

7. The reciprocals of the terms of a given GP, form a GP with common ratio 1/r.
1 1 1
i.e. if a1, a 2, a3 ... an are in GP with common ratio r then a , a , ... a are in GP with
1 2 n
1
common ratio .
r

Illustration 1 0
Find the sum of the following series :
5 + 55 + 555 + .... n terms
Solution :
These kind of questions can be solved with a little trick after which we get the result through GP.
We have 5 + 55 + 555 + ....... n terms
= 5 [1 + 11 + 111 + .......] n terms

5
= 9  99  999  ...  n terms
9

5
 10  1   100  1   1000  1  ....
9
=

5
= [(10 + 100 + 1000 ... n terms) ă n ï 1]
9    
This is in GP now n times
with a = 10 &
r = 10
 sum of series

 n

5  10 10 1
 n

 
= 9  10 1  
 

=
5
9
10
 n
 
 9 10 1  n 

5  n1
= 10  9 n  10 
81  

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Illustration 1 1

If Sn is the sum of first n terms of a G.P. : (a n ) and Sn is the sum of another G.P. : (1/an ), then
show that : Sn = S´n a 1 a n .

Solution :

Sn = a1 + a 2 + a3 + ......... + a n

1 1 1
S´n = a  a  ........  a
1 2 n

For the first GP a n = a1 r nă1

Sn =

a1 1  rn 
1 r

where r is the common ratio.

 1  1
For the second GP   , common ratio =
a
 n r

 1 
S´n = 1 

1 n
r  

rn  1  
r n 1
a1  1 a1  r  1 rn 1 a n r  1 
1  r 
 

 S´ n =
1 
a1 rn  1 
a 1 an r 1

1
 S´ n = Sn
a 1 an

1
 S´ n = Sn
a 1 an

 S n = S´n a1 an

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Illustration 1 2
If S1 , S2 ....... Sn are the sums of infinite geometric series whose first terms are 1, 2, 3,... n and
1 1 1 1 1
common ratios are , , ... resp., then prove S 1 + S2 + ... Sn = n  n  3 .
2 3 4 n 1 2

Solution :

 a 
We know the formula for an infinite series S    where a is the first term &
1 r 
r is common ratio.

Here let S k = Sum of infinite series with first term

1
a = k and CR =
k 1

k k

 Sk = 1 
1  k  1  1
k 1 k 1

 Sk = k + 1

 Putting k = 1, 2, ...... n

 S  S1 + S2 + S3 ....... S n

= (1 + 1) + (2 + 1) + (3 + 1) ... (n + 1)

= (1 + 2 + 3 ...... n) + n ï 1

n n  1  { 1 + 2 + 3 ...... n is in AP with

= n
2 diff. = 1}

n n  3 
=
2

n n  1
You can also learn this, sum of first n natural nos. =
2

We will cover this later though

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3 .2 .1 Ge o m e t r i c M e a n s (G.M .)
If G 1 , G 2, G 3, G 4 ........ Gn are GMÊs between a and b then a, G1, G 2, ........ Gn, b are in G.P.

Now b is tn+2 so b = ar n+1

1
 b n1
Or r =  
a 

1
 b  n 1
and Thus G1 = a 
a

Pr o p e r t y o f GM

(1) The product of n G.M’s between a and b is equal to n th power of one G.M. between a and b.

 
n
i.e. G 1, G 2, ....... G n = ab

i
 b n  1
Gi  a 
a 

n i
  b n1
 G1, G 2, ...... G n = an i 1  
a

i
 b  n 1
n
= a  
a 

n n 1 
 b  2( n 1)
= a   n
 a

n
 
n
= ab 2  ab

(2) If a 1, a 2, .......... an are n non-zero numbers then their G.M is given by

1
G   a1 , a2 ...... a n n

Note : You can check the analogy of formulas between Arithmetic Progression & Geometric progression.

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Illustration 1 3
If we insert odd number (2n + 1) G.M.Ês between 4 and 2916 then find the value of (n + 1)th
G.M.?
Solution :
Now 4, G 1, G 2, G 3 .......... Gn+1, ....... G 2n , G2n+1, 2916 are in G.P. So Gn+1 will be the
middle mean of (2n + 1) odd means and so it will equidistant from 1 st and last term.
So, 4, G n+1, 2916 are also in GP.
And thus,

1
Gn+1 =  4.2916 2
1
= 4  9  324 2
1
=  4  9  4  81 2
= (2 ï 3 ï 2 ï 9)
= 108

A r i t h m e t i c M e a n s a n d Ge o m e t r i c M e a n s (i n g e n e r a l )
The arithmetic mean, or less precisely the average, of a list of n numbers x 1, x2, ..., xn is the sum
of the numbers divided by n :
x1  x2  .....  xn
n
The geometric mean is similar, except that it is only defined for a list of nonnegative real numbers,
and uses multiplication and a root in place of addition and division.
n x1 . x2 ... xn

If x1, x2, ... xn > 0, this is equal to the exponential of the arithmetic mean of the natural logarithms
of the numbers :
 1 n x1  1 n x2  ...  1 n xn 
exp  
 n 

3 .3 .1 T h e A N -GM I n e q u a l i t y
Restating the inequality using mathematical notation, we have that for any list of n nonnegative
real numbers x1 , x2, .... xn,

x1  x 2  ....  x n
 nx
1 . x 2 ... x n (known as AM-GM inequality)
n
 AM  GM
and that equality holds if and only if x 1 = x 2 = ... xn.

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3 .3 .2 Ge n r a l i za t i o n s
There is a similar inequality for the weighted arithmetic mean and weighted geometric mean.
Specially, let the nonnegative numbers x1 , x 2, ......, x n and the nonnegative weights a1 , a2, ....., a n be
given. Set  = 1 + 2 + ..... + n. If  > 0, then the inequality

1 x1   2 x2  ...  an xn  1  2 a
 x 1 x 2 ... x nn


holds with equality if and only if all the xk with ak > 0 are equal. Here the convention 0Ĉ = 1 is used.
If all ak = 1, this reduces to the above AM-GM inequality.

Example application

Illustration 1 4

Consider the following function :

x y 3z
f  x , y , z   
y z x

for x, y and z all positive real numbers. Suppose we wish to find the minimum value of
this function. Rewriting a bit, and applying the AM-GM inequality, we have :

x 1 y 1 y 1 3 z 13 z 1 z
     3
y 2 z 2 z 3 x 3 x 3 x
f  x, y, z   6.
6

x 1 y 1 y 1 3 z 13 z 1 3 z
6 6 . . . . .
y 2 z 2 z 3 x 3 x 3 x

1 x yz
= 6. 6
2.2.3.3.3 y z x

= 22/3 . 31/2
Further, we know that the two sides are equal exactly when all the terms of the mean are equal :

x 1 y 13 z
f  x, y, z  2 2 / 3 . 31 / 2 when  
y 2 z 3 x

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Illustration 1 5
If A and G are arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) between two numbers a and
b find the roots of the equation : x2 ă 2Ax + G2
Solution :
Let  and  be the roots of the equation, then
 +  = 2A &  = G2
Also, A is the AM between a & b and G is GM between a & b
ab
 A &G  ab
2
  +  = a + b and  = ab
 The roots are a & b.

Illustration 1 6
If a , b , c are in A.P., x is the GM of a , b and y is GM of b , c , show that b 2 is the AM of x2
and y 2.
Solution :
a, b, c are in AP  2b = a + c (i)
x is G.M. of a, b  x  ab (ii)
y is G.M. of b, c  y  bc (iii)
Squaring (ii) & (iii) and adding, we get
 x 2 + y2 = ab + bc = b(a + c)
From (i) a + c = 2b
 x + y2 = 2b 2
2

x2  y2
 b2 
2
Hence b 2 is arithmetic mean (AM) of x2 and y2.

Illustration 1 7
If 0 < r < 1 and m is a positive integer, show that (2m + 1)r2m (1 ă r) < 1 ă r 2m +1

Solution :
Using AM > GM, we have
1
1  r  r 2  ....  r 2m
2m  1

 1. r. r2 ..... r2m  2m 1

1
1  r 2m1
or
 1  r  2m  1 
 1.r.r2 
2 m 1

2m(2m 1)
1  r 2 m1 2m 1
or r or 1  r 2 m1   1  r   2m  1 r 2 m
 1  r   2m  1
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3 .4 H a r m o n i c Pr o g r e s s i o n (H .P.) :

1 1 1 1
, , .......
The sequence a 1, a2, ...... a n is said to be a H.P. if a1 a 2 a 3 a n is an A.P.

1 1 1 1
The nth term of a H.P. (tn) is given by tn  where a  and d  
a  (n 1) d a1 a2 a1

3 .4 .1 H a r m o n i c M e a n s (H .M .) :
If H1 , H2 , H3 ........ Hn be n H.M.Ês between a and b then a, H 1, H 2, H 3 ........ H n, b is a H.P.

1 1 1 1 1
This means , , ...... , is a A.P.
a H H2 Hn b

1 1 i a  b 
And hence H  a  n  1 ab
i  
Note : If a 1, a2, a3 ......... an are n non-zero numbers then H.M. of these number is given by

n
H
1 1 1
  ......... 
a1 a2 an

1 1 1
a, b, c are in H.P. so, , , are in AP
a b c

2 1 1 2 ac
And b  a  c  a c
b

Illustration 1 8
If the (m + 1)th, (n + 1)th and (r + 1)th term of an A.P. are in G.P. m , n , r are in H.P., Show that
ratio of the common difference to the first term in the AP is (ă 2/n).
Solution :
Let ÂaÊ be the first term and ÂdÊ be common difference of the AP. Let x, y, z be the (m + 1)th, (n + 1)th
and (r + 1) th term of the A.P. then x = a + md, y = a + nd, z = a + rd. Since x, y, z are in G.P.
 y 2 = xz i.e. (a + nd)2 = (a + rd) (a + md)

d r  m  2n
 
a n 2  rm

Now, m, n, r in H.P.

2 1 1
  
n m r

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2 m r
 
n mr

r m 
2  n
d
  2 
Hence a  rm 
n n 
 n 

 mr 
2  n
 n  2
 rm  = 
n n  n
 n 

Illustration 1 9
If a , b , c are respectively p th, q th, and r th terms of H.P., prove that

(q ă r) + ca (r ă p ) + a b (p ă q ) = 0
Solution :
A and D be the first term and common difference of the AP formed by the reciprocals of the given
H.P.

1
 A   p  1 D (i)
a

1
 A   q 1 D (ii)
b

1
 A   r  1 D (iii)
c

cb
Subtracting (iii) from (ii) we get  q  r  D
bc
 b  c
 bc (q ă r) = 
D

L.H.S. =  bc  q  r 
b c 1
=    b  c 
D D

1
=  b  c  c  a  a  b  0 = R.H.S.
D
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Illustration 20
1 1 1 1
If     0 , prove that a , b , c are in H.P., unless b = a + c
a c a b c b
Solution :
1 1 1 1
    0
a c ab cb

ac a  c  2b
  0
ac ac  b( a  c)  b2

Let a + c = t

t t  2b
  0
ac ac  bt  b2

 act ă bt 2 + b2 t + act ă 2abc = 0

 bt2 ă b 2t ă 2act + 2bac = 0
 bt (t ă b) ă 2ac (t ă b) = 0
 (t ă b) (bt ă 2ac) = 0
 t =b or bt = 2ac
 a+ c =b or b (a + c) 2ac

2ac
 a+ c =b or b
ac

 a, b, c are in H.P. or a + c = b

3 .4 .2 So m e I m p o r t a n t T h e o r e m s :
Let A, G,H be the AM, GM, HM respectively between two positive unequal quantities.
First of all let us prove A>G
x y
A and G = xy
2
x y
So to prove  xy
2

 
2
Now x  y  0 ( x, y are positive)

 x+ yă2 xy  0

x y
  xy
2
Hence A >G ........ (i)

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Now let us prove G>H

2 xy
Again H
x y

 
2
Also xy 0

 x + y > 2 xy

2 xy
 1
x y
 G >H .......... (2)
Combining (1) and (2) we get A >G>H
Now we can prove :
G2 = AH
Let x, y be two numbers.

xy 2xy
So, A  ,G  xy, H 
2 x y

 x  y  2xy 
Hence AH    
 2  x  y 
= xy
= G2

Illustration 21
If a , b , c , d be four distinct positive quantities in H.P. then show that a + d > b + c .
Solution :
a, b, c, d are in H.P.
Then AM > H.M.
For first three terms

ac
 b
2
 a + c > 2b ...... (1)
And for last three terms

b d
c
2
 b + d > 2c ........ (2)
From (1) and (2)
a + c + b + d > 2b + 2 c
 a + d >b+ c

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Illustration 22
a b
 a b 
Prove that    a b ba , a b  N & a  b .
 2 
Solution
By just seeing the question we get the feel that it is kind of AM > GM
So, we get the idea from R.H.S.
a repeated b times
& b repeated a times
Now applying AM > GM

a  a  .... b times    b  b  ....... a times  1

   a .a .a ...  b..b..b. a b
a b
 since no. of terms
are a  b 
1
ab  ab

a b

 a b ba  a b

1

2ab
a b
 ab ba   a b ... (i)

Now, we know that AM > HM

a  b 2 ab
i.e.  ... (ii)
2 a b
So from (i) & (ii)
1
a b
2

 a b ba  a b

a b
a  b
  2   ab ba
 

Arit hm et ic m ean of m th pow er

Let a 1 , a2 ...... an be n positive real numbers and let m be a real number, then

m
am m m
1  a 2  ..... an  a  a 2  .... an 
 1  if m  R ă [0, 1]
n  n 

m
a1m  a2m  ..... anm  a1  a2  .... an 
for m (0, 1), then  
n  n 

m
a1m  a2m  ..... a nm  a1  a2  .... a n 
and for m = 0 & 1  
n  n 

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Illustration 23

Prove that a 4 + b4 + c4  a bc (a + b + c ) [a 1 b1 c > 0]

Solution :
Using m th power inequality

4 4 4 4
a  b c a b  c
  ... (i)
3  3 

4
 a  b c 
Now we have   in RHS
 3 

using AM > GM

a  b c
  abc
1/3

3

3
a b  c 
    abc
 3 

 a b  c
4
 a  b c
but we require   , so multiplying both sides by
 3  3

 a  b  c  abc  a  b c 
4
   ... (ii)
 3  3

From (i) & (ii) we get

a4  b4  c4 abc a  b  c

3 3

 a4 + b4 + c4  abc (a + b + c)
Hence proved.

Su m m a t i o n o f Se r i e s
To find the summation of a series we follow 2 basic steps.
Step 1 : Find the n th term (T n)
Step 2 : Find the sum using formula (for summation, using T N)
To find the n th term of a series we try to find out the differences between successive terms. If the
difference is constant then they are in A.P and sum can be calculated by using a formula.

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But many times you will find different differences between successive terms.
For ex. 1 3 6 10 (difference is increasing)
2 3 4
In such cases,
we find second order difference (i.e. we again find difference of differences obtain)
1 3 6 10
2 3 4
1 1

This process of finding the n th order difference continues unless we get a constant difference.

1 3 6 10 We Call this second order difference

2 3 4

Al so, we can di vi de t hem i nt o l evel s.

1. S = 1, 3, 5, 7 ... Level 0 (t ypical AP wi t h constant di ffer ence)

2. S´ = 1, 3, 6, 10 Level 1 (differ ence ar e in AP)

2 3 4

3. S= 1 2 5 11 21 Level 2 (differ ence of differ ences are in AP)

1 3 6 10
2 3 4

So now we can generalize and find the results.

Type of ser i es Gener al t er m
Level 0 a + br
Level 1 ar 2 + br + c
Level 2 ar 3 + br 2 + cr + d
& this can go on.

for ex. S = 1, 3, 6, 10
We know this is level 1.
& for level 1, T r = ar 2 + br + c
 T1 = a + b + c = 1 ............. (a)
T2 = 4a + 2b + c = 3 .................. (b)
T3 = 9a + 3b + c = 6 ................. (c)

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Using the following [(b) ă (a) & (c) ă (b), we get 3a + b = 2 & 5a + b = 3
Subtracting we get a = ó
Similarly we can find b & c now which comes out to b = ó, c = 0

r2 r r
 Tr =   r  1 
2 2 2

We can easily find the sum of this series now using formula for  n2 & n .
Lets take another example, this time of level 2.
We have S = 1, 2, 5, 11, 21
We know it is level 2, so
Tr = ar3 + br2 + cr + d
 T1 = 1 = a + b + c + d
T2 = 2 = 8a + 4b + 2c + d
T3 = 5 = 27a + 9b + 3c + d
T4 = 11 = 64a + 16b + 4c + d
1/ ă 1/
solving eqn. we get a = , b = 0, c =
6 6
, d = 1

r3 r
 Tr =  1
6 6
This is how we solve these kind of questions, now we will move to questions where differences are
in G.P.

3 .5 .2 Di f f e r e n c e i n G.P
These are kind of questions in which differences successive terms is in GP instead of AP.
There are 2 methods to solve these kind of problems.
Method 1 : It is the method of finding Tr term with the help of levels (formulas)

Level 0 2 4 8 16
(Simple GP) 2 2 2
(multiplied by 2)
Here the series is clearly in GP,

Level 1 1 3 7 15 31
difference 2 4 8 16
again in simple GP
with factor 2.

Level 2 1 2 5 12

1 3 7
2 4
(now in simple GP
with factor 2)
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So,
Type of series General Term
Simple GP abr
(Level 1)
difference in GP a + bcr
(Level 2)
difference of difference
in GP a + br + cdr

Method 2 :
This method involves the rearrangement of the given series in such a way that we get a simple
GP series in between the given series.
Let us take an example to clear the concept.
We have, S n = 1 + 3 + 7 + 15 + .... + Tn
now shift the values of S n & subtract it from S N only.
Sn = 1 + 3 + 7 + 15 + ..... T n
Sn = 1 + 3 + 7 + ..... T nă1 + Tn
0 =1+2+4+ 8 ..... (nă1) terms ă T n
        

now this is a general

GP with r = 2

 Tn = 1   2  4  8  ..... n  1  terms
  
this becomes a simple GP for n terms.

 Tn 

1 2n  1  2 n
1
2 1

or Tr = 2r ă 1

n n n n
 
r 1 r 1
 
Tr   2r  1   2r   1
r 1 r 1

2 1  2 
n
 Sn  n  2n1  2  n
1 2

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3 .6 A r i t h m e t i c Ge o m e t r i c Se r i e s
Consider the series :
Sn = 1 + 2r + 3r2 + 4r 3 + ...... + nr (nă1)
This series is neither arithmetic (the differences between the terms isnÊt constant) nor geometric
(the ratio of successive terms isnÊt constant), yet it seems to be something of both.
It looks like something that is familiar yet alien.
If we know :

1 2   n 1 
  1  r  1  2 r  3 r2  4 r3  ....  nr ...
1  r 2

then we know the sum to infinity of the series is (1 ă r) ă2, if |r| < 1 so the series converges.
However, this doesnÊt tell us the sum to n terms.
Consider
Sn = 1 + 2r + 3r2 + 4r3 + ..... + nr(nă1) (i)
And using our trick from the geometric series, multiply this by r :
r S n = r + 2 r2 + 3 r 3 + 4 r 4 + ...... + n r n (ii)
Subtract Equations (i) & (ii) :
S n (1 ă r) = 1 + r + r 2 + ..... + r nă1 ă nr n
Nothing we know the formula for the geometric series, and using it :

Sn 1  r  
1  r   n r
n
n
1  r 
Bringing it all together under one denominator :

Sn  1  r 
1  r n
 n rn  n r
 n 1

1  r 
Rounding up like terms, gives us the formula :

Sn
 1  nr  n 1
  n  1 r n 
1  r  2

Therefore :

1  2 r  3 r ... n r  
2 n 1 1  n  1 r n
 nr
n1 

1  r 2

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If we multiply throughout by a constant, a we get :

a + 2 a r + 3 a r2 .... n a r (nă1)
=
1  n  1 r n
 nr
 n 1

1  r 2
The sum to infinity of this series, when n tends to infinity (and |r| < 1, is :

1
 1  2 r  3 r 2  4 r 3  ....  n r
 n1 
 ...
1  r  2

3 .6 .1 Ge n e r a l A r it h m e t i c Ge o m e t r i c Se r i e s
In this series, which is neither geometric nor arithmetic, has the form :
a + (a + d ) r + (a + 2d)r2 + (a + 3d) r3 + ..... + (a + (n ă 1)d) r(n ă 1)

The simple arithmetic-geometric series is a special case of this, where a = 1

If we expand this series, we get :
(a + ar + ...... + ar(nă1) + (d r (1 + 2 r + 3r 2 ...... + (n ă 1) r (nă2))
Naturally, we note the first bit is a normal geometric series, and the second bit is our simple
arithmetic geometric series.
That is :
a + (a + d ) r + (a + 2 d) r2 + (a + 3 d) r3 + .... + (a + (n ă 1) d r(n ă 1) d r (n ă 1)

a
1  r   rd 1  n r 
n n 1
 n 1 r n)
=
1  r  1  r
2

Su m o f i n f i n i t e a r i t h m e t i c – Ge o m e t r i c s e q u e n c e
for |r|<| & n   , rn approaches O
putting these values in general term obtained above.

a dr
S 
1 r (1  r )2

3 .8 So m e Sp e c i a l Se r i e s

n  n  1
(1)  n  1  2  3  .....  n  2
(i.e. sum of first n natural numbers)

This is an AP with a = 1 and d = 1

n
So,  n  2  2.1   n  1 1
n  n  1
n  2

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n  n  1  2n  1 
(2)  n2  12  22  32  ....  n 2 
6
Proof :
 (x + 1) 3 ă x3 = 3x2 + 3x + 1
Putting x = 1, 2, 3, 4, ... n then
23 ă 13 = 3.12 + 3.1 + 1
33 ă 23 = 3.22 + 3.2 + 1
43 ă 33 = 3.32 + 3.3 + 1
53 ă 43 = 3.42 + 3.4 + 1
(n + 1)3 ă n 3 = 3.n 2 + 3n + 1
Adding all we get,
(n + 1)3 ă 13 = 3(12 + 22 + ..... + n2) + 3(1 + 2 + ....... + n) + (1 + 1 .... n times)
 n 3 + 3n2 = 3n = 3 n2 = 3 n + n
n  n  1
 3  n2  n3  3 n2  3 n  3  n
2

n n  1  2n  1
  n2 
6
2
 n n  1
(3)  n  1  2  3 ....  n  
3 3 3 3 3

 2 
Proof :
 (x + 1) 4 ă x4 = 4x3 + 6x2 + 4x + 1
Putting x = 1, 2, 3, 4 ....... n then,
24 ă 14 = 4.13 +6.12 + 4.1 + 1
34 ă 24 = 4.23 + 6.22 + 4.2 + 1
44 ă 34 = 4.33 + 6.32 + 4.3 + 1
(n + 1)4 ă n 4 = 4.n 3 + 6.n2 + 4.n + 1
Adding all we get,
(n + 1)4 ă 14 = 4(13 + 23 + ..... + n3 ) + 6 (12 + 22 + ....... + n2) + 4 (1 + 2 + .... + n) +
(1 + 1 + ....... + n times)

 n 4  4n3  6n 2  4n  4 n 3  6  n 2  4  n  n
6.n n  1 2n  1 4.n n  1
 4  n3    n
6 2

 4  n3  n4  4 n3  6 n2  4 n  n( n  1)  2 n  1  2n  n  1  n

= n2 (n + 1) 2
2
 n  n  1 
  n3   2 
 

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3 .9 Gr a p h o f A r i t h m e t i c , Ge o m e t r i c a n d A r i t h m e t i c -Ge o m e t r i c Pr o g r e s s i o n

4 Arithmetic-Geometric Progression

3 Geometric Progression

Arithmetic Progression
1

-0.05 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0

Su m m a t i o n o f Se r i e s (M e t h o d -2 )
The following method works in the case when the n th term of a series can be expressed as the
difference of two quantities.
i.e T r = f(r) ă f (r ă 1)
or Tr = f (r) ă f (r + 1)
Steps to be followed in such a case
Ć find the general term (T r)
Ć Express the general term as the difference of two consecutive terms
Ć In summation part (from 0/1 to n) (n) goes to the greater term & (1) goes to termwise smaller term
Let us solve some questions to understand the rule.

Illustration 26

1 1 1
Find Sn, where Sn    ...(n terms)
1.2 2.3 3.4
Solution :
Step 1 : find general term
1
Tr 
r  r  1
Step 2 : expressing Tr as difference of 2 terms here methods of partial fraction can be used
1 1
Tr  
r r 1

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 MARKS 33

n n 1 1 
Step 3 : Sn   Tr    r  
r  1
r 1 r  1

now the rule says that place n in greater term (termwise not by value) which is r + 1 here.

n n
1 1  1 
  Tr   r
  1 
r1 

n1
r1 r1

n

n1

n
 Sn 
n1

Illustration 27

1 1
Find Sn where S n =  ...( n terms)
1.2.3 2.3.4
Solution : finding general term first

1
Tr 
r r  1 r  2

this can be rewritten as

1   r  2  r 
Tr   
2  r  r  1   r  2  

1  1 1 
=   
2  r  r  1  r  1  r  2  

Note here that though in numerator we could have many options like [(r + 1) ă r] etc. but we use
the above one (i.e. ((r + 2) ă r)) because after that we get terms which contains consecutive
termwise terms (like r (r + 1) & (r + 1) (r + 2). The rule is valid for consecutive terms only.

1 1
here is obtained by replacing r by r + 1 in r r  1 , which is what we require for
 r  1  r  2   
rule to be valid.

n n
1  1 1 
Now, Sn   Tr   2  r  r  1    r  1 r  2  
r 1 r1  

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Now applying step 3

1 n 1 1
Sn   
2 r 1 r  r  1  r  1   r  2 

1 1 1 
 Sn    
2  2 n  1 n  2  

Illustration 1 9

1 1
Find Sn, where   ...(n terms)
1.3.5 3.5.7

1
Solution : Tr   2r  1  2r  1 2r  3

again we will try to divide the term in 2 parts

1   2r  3   2r  1  
Tr   
4  2r  1  2r  1  2r  3  

1  1 1 
Tr    
4  2 r  1  2 r  1  2 r  1  2 r  3 

Now, we know that the second term can be achieved by replacing r by r + 1 in first term.

n
1 n  1 1 
 Sn   Tr  4   2 r  1 2 r  1  2 r  1   2r  3  
r 1 r 1  

according to step 3

1 1 1 
Sn    
4  3 2 n  3  2 n  3  

Illustration 29

1 1 1
Find Sn, where   ...(n terms)
1.3 2.4 3.5

1
Solution : Tr 
r r  2 

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1  r  2  r
= 2 r r 2
 

1 1 1 
=    .... (i)
2  r r  2

now still we donÊt have termwise consecutive terms, so we will try to achieve that adding &

1
subtracting r  1 in (i)

1  1 1   1 1 
Tr      
2  r r  1  r  1 r  2 

now the 2 block above are termwise consecutive respectively.

n n
1  1 1   1 1 
Sn   Tr   2  r  r  1   r  1  r  2
r 1 r 1    

1  n 1 1  n
 1 1 
=       r  1  
2  r1  r r 1 r1
r2 

1  1  1 1 
= 2  1  n  1    2  n  2  
   

(applying step 3)

Illustration 30
Find Sn, where S n = 1.3.5 + 3.5.7 + 5.7.9 + ... (n terms)
Solution : Here, Tr = (2r ă 1) (2r + 1) (2r + 3)
Now here too we have to divide T r into 2 terms.
Trick : Let a be the term before (2r ă 1) i.e. (2r ă 3) & b be the term after (2r + 3) i.e. (2r + 5)
multiply and divide by (b ă a)

1
 Tr   2 r  5   2 r  3  2 r  1  2 r  1  2 r  3 
8 

1   2 r  5  2 r  1   2 r  1  2 r  3 2 r  3  2 r  1 2 r  2  2 r  3
= 8  
  1st
block   2nd block
  
Here the 2nd block can be achieved by replacing r by (r ă 1) in the first block
 Ist block is termwise greater than 2nd block

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 We can now apply step 3

n
Sn   Tr
r1

n
1
=  8  2 r  5  2 r  3  2 r  1  2 r  1   2 r  3  2 r  1  2 r  1  2 r  3 
r1

1
 2n  5   2n  3   2n  1  2n  1   5   3  1   1  
8 
=

1
=  2n  5   2n  3   2n  1   2n  1   15 
8 

Illustration 31

1 1 1
Find Sn, where S n =   ...(n terms)
1.3 1.3.5 1.3.5.7

r
Solution : firstly, Tr  1.3.5... 2 r  1 

now we will try to break T r into 2 termwise consecutive terms

1  2r 
Tr =  
2  1.3.5...  2 r  1  

1  (2 r  1) 1 
=  
2  1.3.5... 2 r  1  

1  1 1 
= 2  1.3.5... 2 r  1  1.3.5... 2 r  1 
     
( ... Previous term of (2r + 1) is (2r ă 1)
Now we have termwise consecutive terms
Applying step 3

n n
1  1 1 
Sn   Tr   2  1.3.5... 2r  1  
1.3.5... 2r  1 
r 1 r 1 

( The second term is termwise greater)

1  1 
 Sn  1  
2  1.3.5... 2 n  1  

PROGRESSION & SERIES

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