Chapter 6

SEQUANCES AND SERIES

Sequence
i. A sequence is an arrangement of numbers subject to some
definite rule.
ii. A sequence is a function whose domain is a subset of the
set of natural numbers.
NOTES
 Notation used for sequence is {an}.
 Each number in the sequence is called a term.
 The nth term or general term of a sequence is denoted by an.
 So a1, a2, a3, a4 will be the first, second, third, fourth terms
respectively of a sequence.
 If all members of a sequence are real numbers, then it is called
real sequence.
 If the domain of a sequence is a finite set then the sequence is
called a finite sequence otherwise, an infinite sequence.
 An infinite sequence has no last term.
PROGRESSIONS
If the terms of a sequence follow certain pattern then the sequence is called a progression.
Following are the three special types of progressions or if rule is change term by term then
it is called sequence other wise progressions
i) Arithmetic progression (A.P.)

ii) Geometric progression (G.P.)

iii) Harmonic progression (H.P.)

Arithmetic Sequence or Arithmetic Progression (A.P.):

i) A sequence every term of which after the first is
obtained from the preceding term by adding a
fixed number in it is called an arithmetic sequence
or arithmetic progression.
ii) A sequence of quantities in which the algebraic
difference between any term and the preceding
term is a constant (i.e. an – an-1)
iii) The general form of an A.P. is
 a, a +d, a+2d, …….a+(n-1)d

iv) The value of n is always a +ve integer.

Common difference (d) The difference of two consecutive

terms of an A.P. is called the
common difference. Common
difference may be +ve or –ve.
General term or nth term of an A.P The general or nth form of an A.P.
is,
an = a + (n – 1) d

Arithmetic mean (A.M.) :

i. If three quantities are in A.P. then middle term is known as
arithmetic mean (A.M.) of the other two.
ii. If a, A, b are in A.P. then 𝐴 = 𝑎+𝑏
2

iii. If 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 are in A.P. then their A.M. is 𝛽

iv. ‘n’ arithmetic means between two given numbers:
If a, A1, A2, A3, ….. An, be are in A.P then the numbers A1, A2,
A3, ….. An are called n arithmetic means between ‘a’ and ‘b’

v. nth arithmetic mean between a & b is given : An = 𝑎+𝑛𝑏

𝑛+1

vi. The sum of n A.M’s between any two numbers a & b is equal to
n-times the A.M. between a & b.i.e. A1 + A2 + A3 + …..+An =
𝑎+𝑏
𝑛( 2
)

Series: The sum of an indicated number of

terms of a sequence is called a
series.
Arithmetic series: If a, a+d, a+2d, a+3d, ………., a+(n
– 1)d is an A.P.
Then series
 a + (a+d) + (a+2d) + ……….. + [a +
(n – 1)d]
is called an arithmetic series.
Sum of first ‘n’ terms of an (i) If any three of a, n, d and
arithmetic series Sn are given use formula,
𝑛
Sn = 2 {2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑}.
(ii) If a1=first term, and
general term is given then
𝑛
use formula, 𝑆𝑛 = 2 {𝑎1 +
𝑎𝑛 }.
(iii) If a = first term and l = last
term is given then use
formula, 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛2 {𝑎 + 𝑙}/

 If we have to take three number in A.P. we take these to be, a –

d, a, a+d.
 If we have to take four numbers in A.P. we take these to be,
a - 3d, a – d, a + d, a + 3d.
 If we have to take five numbers in A.P. we take these to be,
a – 2d, a – d, a, a + d, a + 2d.

Note
i) If Sn is the sum of first n terms of an A.P. whose first term is a and last term is l
n
then Sn  (a  l )
2

ii) Sn = an + Sn-1

IMPORTANT NOTE
i) If nth term of a sequence is a linear expression in n then the sequence is an A.P.

ii) If the sum of first n terms of a sequence is a quadratic expression in n then the
sequence in an A.P.

PROPERTIES OF A.P.
i) If a1,a2,a3…..,an are in A.P. then

a) a1 + k,a2 + k, ….an k are in A.P.

b) a1 - k,a2 - k, ….an k are A.P.

 c) ka1,ka2……. kan are in AP.

ii) If a1,a2,a3…..and b1,b2,b3……are two A.P. then

a) a1 + b1, a2 + b2,a3 + b3 ….. are A.P.

b) a1 - b1, a2 - b2,a3 - b3 …..are A.P.

c) a1b1, a2b2,a3b3 …..are A.P.

a1 a2 a3
d) , , may not be in A.P.
b1 b2 b3

IMPORTANT RESULTS
1 1 1
(i) If a2, b2, c2 are in A.P. then , , are in A.P.
bc ca a b
(ii) If l,m;n be the pth, qth and rth term of an A.P. then l(q-r) + m (r – p) + n(p-q) =0
and p(m-n) +q(n-l)+r(l-m)=0

Geometric Sequence or Geometric Progression (G.P.):

i) A sequence of numbers in which every term

after the first is obtained from the preceding
term by multiplying it with a constant number
is called a geometric sequence or geometric
progression.
ii) Geometric progression is a sequence of
numbers (terms) when the ratio of any term
(except the 1st ) to the preceding one is
constant.
iii) The general form a G.P. is a, ar, ar2, ar3, ….. arn-
1

i. The constant ratio of any two

Common Ratio®: constant terms of a G.P. is
called its common ratio.
ii. The quotient 𝑎𝑎−1 𝑛
is called
𝑛
common ration of the G.P.
The common ratio cannot be
zero.

General term or nth term of 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1 (𝑎𝑛 ≠ 0)

G.P.
  If we have to take three numbers in G.P. we take these to be
𝑎
, 𝑎, 𝑎𝑟.
𝑟

 If we have to take four numbers in G.P. we take these to be

𝑎 𝑎
, , 𝑎, 𝑎𝑟 3 .
𝑟3 𝑟

 If we have to take five numbers in G.P. we take these to be

𝑎 𝑎
, , 𝑎, 𝑎𝑟 2 , 𝑎𝑟 3
𝑟2 𝑟

Geometric Mean (G.M.):

i) If three quantities are in G.P. then middle term is known as
geometric mean (G.M.) of the other two.
ii) If a, G, b are in G.P. then 𝐺 = ±√𝑎𝑏.
iii) nth geometric mean between two numbers;
If a, G1, G2, G3, …… Gn, b are in G.P then the numbers G1, G2, G3,
…… Gn are called n geometric means between ‘a’ and ‘b’.
𝑛
iv) nth G.M. between a & b is given y; 𝐺𝑛 = 𝑎(𝑏𝑎)𝑛+1
If a = b then A.M. = G.M.

Geometric series If a, ar, ar2, ar3, ………. arn-1, is a

G.P. Then a + ar + ar2 + ar3 +
………+ arn-1
𝑛
Sum of ‘n’ terms of a geometric (a) 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎(1−𝑟
)
, |𝑟| < 1
1−𝑟
series (b) 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎−𝑙𝑟 , |𝑟| < 1
1−𝑟
𝑛
(c) 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎(𝑟𝑟−1−1) , |𝑟| > 1
(d) 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑙𝑟−𝑎
𝑟−1
, |𝑟| > 1

The infinite geometric series: The series a + ar + ar2 + ar3 +

………+ arn-1 + ∞ is called infinite
geometric series.
 𝑎
Sum of an infinite geometric 𝑆∞ = 1−𝑟 , |𝑟| < 1
series
Convergent series If for an infinite geometric series
|r|<1, the series is said to be
convergent.
Divergent series If for an infinite geometric series
|r|>1 the series is said to be
divergent.
Recurring decimals: A type of decimals in which the
decimals repeats endlessly is called
recurring or repeated decimals.
e.g. 0. 31 = 0.31313131 …
Every recurring decimal can be
converted into a fraction called
common fraction (vulgar fraction)
by using the formula for 𝑆∞

PROPERTIES OF G.P.
i) If a1,a2,a3,……..are in G.P. then
a) a1k, a2k,a3k……. are also in G.P.
a1 a2 a3
b) , , ,……. Are also in G.P. k ≠ 0
k k k
1 1 1
c) , , ,…… are also in G.P.
a1 a2 a3
d) a1k , a2k , a3k are also in G.P.
ii) If a1,a2,a3…..and b1,b2,b3……are two G.P.s, then
a) a1b1, a2b2,a3b3 …..are also in G.P.
a1 a2 a3
b) , , ,………are also in G.P.
b1 b2 b3
c) a1 ± b1, a2 ± b2,a3 ± b3 ….. may not be G.P.
iii) If a,b,c,d are in G.P. then
a) a – b, b – c, c – d are in G.P.
 b) a2 – b2, b2 – c2, c2 – d2 are in G.P.
c) a2 + b2, b2 + c2, c2 + d2 are in G.P.
d) a + b, b + c, c + d are in G.P.
iv) If a1,a2,a3, ……..an are in G.P. then
a) a1an = a2an-1 = a3an-2 = …..
v) If a1,a2a3 …is a G.P. of positive terms then loga1, loga2,loga3 …… is an A.P. AP.
and vice versa
Note
i) 0 cannot be a term of a G.P.
ii) 0 cannot be common ratio of a G.P.
Note
i) The product of n geometric means between two given numbers is nth power of
the single G.M. between and G1,G2…….,Gn are n geometric means between
them, then
 
n
G1G2G3…..Gn = ab
ii) If A and G are respectively arithmetic and geometric means between two
positive numbers a and b then
a) A > G if a and b both are the
b) A < G if a and b both are negative
c) The quadratic Equation having a and b as its roots x2 – 2Ax + G2 = 0
Harmonic Progression (H.P.):
A sequence of number is called a harmonic sequence or harmonic
progression if the reciprocals of its terms are in arithmetic progression.

Harmonic Mean (H.M.):

i. If three quantities are in H.P. then the middle is

called harmonic mean (H.M.) of the other two.
2𝑎𝑏
ii. If a, H, b are in H. P. then H = 𝑎+𝑏
iii. ‘n’ Harmonic means between two numbers
if a, H1, H2, H3, ………………., Hn are in H.P. then
the numbers H1, H2, H3, ………………., Hn called
n harmonic means between a & b.
nth harmonic mean between a & b is given by,
(𝑛+1)𝑎𝑏
nth H.M. = 𝑛𝑎+𝑏
NOTES:
 No term of a H.P. can be zero.
 Every H.P. has a corresponding A.P.
 There is no general method to find the sum of a
H.P.
 𝐺 2 = 𝐴. 𝐻
 A>G>H, if a & b are two distinct +ve real numbers
and G>0.
 A<G<H, if a & b are two distinct –ve real numbers
and G<0.

Sigma Notation or Summation Notation:

n
n(n  1)
i) 1 + 2 + 3 + ……+ 𝑛 = 
k 1
=
2
n


𝑛(𝑛+1)(2𝑛+1)
ii) 12 + 22 + 32 + … … + 𝑛 2 = k2 =
6
k 1

n
n(n  1) 2
iii) 13 + 23 + 33 … … + 𝑛 3 = 
k 1
k3 =
2
n
iv) 
k 1
[km – (k – 1)m] = nm

NOTES:
 ∑ (sigma) is a Greek letter used to represent sum of numbers.
 For the sum of 1st n-natural numbers
=1+2+3+………..+n use formula (i).

 For the sum of square of 1st n-natural numbers

=12+22+32+……+n2 use formula (ii).

 For the sum of cubes of 1st n-natural numbers

=13+23+33+………..+n3 us formula (iii).
 Practice Exercise
(1) If a4 = 4 of an A.P. then find the sum of first 7-terms of the corresponding arithmetic
series;
(a) 4 (b) 16
(c) 28 (d) 40
(2) Which of following is nth term of A.P ?
(a) n3+3 (b) n2
(c) n+3 (d) all
(3) Find the sum of first 40 whole number
(a) 220 (b) 750
(c) 780 (d) 720
(4) 1 + 3 + 5 + ……+ n = ?
3 3 3

(a) n2(3n2 -1) (b) n2(2n2 -1)

(c) 2n2(3n2 -1) (d) none of these
(5) The next two terms of the sequence 7,9,12,16…… are’
(a) 20,24 (b) 20,25
(c) 21,27 (d) 21,26
(6) Which one is true? (a<0, b<0)
(a) G>A>H (b) A>G>H
(c) H>G>A (d) H>A>G
(7) The nth term of an A.P is …………………… when a = - 7, d = 13
(a) 20-5n (b) 13n-20
(c) 13n-7 (d) 7-13n
1 1 1
(8) 93 . 99 . 927 … … ∞ = ?
(a) 1 (b) 6
(c) 9 (d) 3
(9) A sequence of numbers in which every term after the first term is obtained from the
preceding term by adding a constant number is called a A.P the constant number is
called;
(a) term (b) common difference
(c) common ratio (d) none
(10) Which one is true?
(a) 𝐴2 = 𝐺𝐻 (b) 𝐺 2 = 𝐴𝐻
(c) 𝐻2 = 𝐴𝐺 (d) none
(11) Sn for geometric series of |r| < 1 is given by
(a) 𝑛2 {2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑} (b) 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑛 𝑛
(c) 𝑎(𝑟𝑟−1−1) (d) 𝑎( 1−𝑟
1−𝑟 )

(12) For 𝑎 + 𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎𝑟 2 + … … . ∞, 𝑆∞ ? Where |r| < 1

(a) 𝑎(1 − 𝑟 2 ) (b) 𝑎(𝑟 2 − 1)
𝑛 𝑎
(c) 2 {2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑} (d) 1−𝑟
(13) The constant ratio of G.P may be any number not equal to:
(a) 2 (b) 1
 (c) -1 (d) 0
−5 𝑛−1
(14) 4th term of the sequence whose general term is 64 25 2
( ) =?
(a) 6120 (b) -321
(c) 190 (d) 40
5
(15) 27 =?
(a) 0. . 222 (b) 0. 102
(c) 0. 185 (d) 0. 227
(16) The general term of the sequence 𝑎, 𝑎𝑟, 𝑎𝑟 2 … … … …. is
𝑎(1−𝑟 𝑛 )
(a) 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 (b) 1−𝑟
𝑛
(c) 2 {2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑} (d) 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
(17) Common fraction of 7.755 ̅̅̅̅ is
3139 495
(a) 95 (b) 3839
(c) 290
61
(d) 349
45
(18) Geometric mean between two numbers a an b is given by;
(a) 𝑎+𝑏2
(b) ±√𝑎𝑏
2𝑎𝑏
(c) 𝑎+𝑏 (d) 𝑎+𝑏
2𝑎𝑏
(19) The first term of a G.P is -36 and common ratio is − 13 then a5 = ?
(a) 53 (b) 65
(c) − 35 (d) − 49
(20) If A, G and H have usual meanings, then A,G,H are in
(a) A.P (b) G.P
(c)H.P (d) ALL
(21) H.M between two numbers ‘a’ and ‘b’ is given by
(a) 𝑎+𝑏2
𝑎𝑏
(b) 𝑎+𝑏
(c) 𝑎+𝑏
2𝑎𝑏
2𝑎𝑏
(d) 𝑎+𝑏
(22) Sn of geometric series if |r| > 1 is
(a) 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 (b) 𝑛2 {2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑}
𝑛) 𝑛
(c) 𝑎(1−𝑟
1−𝑟
(d) 𝑎(𝑟𝑟−1−1)
𝑛+1 𝑛+1
(23) For what value of ‘n’ is 𝑎 𝑎𝑛+𝑏
+𝑏𝑛
the G.M between a and b?
1 1
(a) 2 (b) − 2
(c) −1 (d) 1
(24) 7+77+777+……………… n terms
(a) 79 [10
9
(10𝑛 − 1) − 𝑛] (b) 19 [10
9
(10𝑛 − 1) − 𝑛]
(c) 29 [10
9
(10𝑛 − 1) − 𝑛] (d) 27 [10
9
(10𝑛 − 1) − 𝑛]
(25) When 1. 53 is written in the form of vulgar fraction then the difference between
the numerator and denominator is
(a) 153 (b) 152
(c) 53 (d) 52
2 3
(26) If 𝑦 = 1 + 2𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 8𝑥 + … … … … ∞ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = ?
(a) 𝑦 + 1 (b) 𝑦 − 1
𝑦−1 𝑦−1
(c) 𝑦 (d) 2𝑦
9
(27) The H.M and A.M between two numbers are 4 and 2
respectively the numbers
are
(a) 5, 4 (b) 7, 2
(c) 6, 3 (d) 12, -3
(28) 2+(2+5)+(2+5+8)+…………to n-terms = ?
𝑛(𝑛+1)2
(a) 𝑛(𝑛+1)
2
(b) 2
2
(c) 𝑛 (𝑛+1)
2
(d) none
(29) A clock strikes twice when its hour hand is at one, four time when it is at 2and so
on. How many times does times does the clock strike in 12 hours?
(a) 78 (b) 128
(c) 156 (d) 96
5
(30) 
k 1
{k2-(k – 1)}2
(a) 5 (b) 25
(c) 125 (d) 625
(31) If 2 + 5 + 8 + 11 + ... + n = 60100 then n = ?
(a) 100 (b) 200
(c) 150 (d) 250
1
(32) Which term of the sequence 3, √3, 1 … … 𝑖𝑠 243 ?
(a) 12 (b) 13
(c) 14 (d) 15
(33) The quadratic equation in x such the arithmetic mean of its roots is 4 and its
geometric mean is 9, is
(a) x2 – 8x + 81 = 0 (b) x2 + 8x – 81 = 0
(c) x2 + 81x + 8 = 0 (d) x2 + 81x – 8 = 0

(34) If pth term of an A.P is 3𝑃−1

6
then the sum of first n-terms of the A.P is ________
𝑛(3𝑛+1)
(a) 12 (b) 𝑛(𝑛+1)
2
𝑛(𝑛+3) 3𝑛(𝑛+1)
(c) 4 (d) 4
(35) The sum of 15 terms of an A.P is 6 00 their common difference is 5 then a1 = ?
(a) 8 (b) 5
(c) 3 (d) 1
(36) The sum of three numbers in A.p is 15 and their product is 80 the largest number
is ______
(a) 2 (b) 5
(c) 8 (d) 11
(37) The sum of integers from 1 to 100 that are divisible by 2 or 5 =?
(a) 3000 (b) 3020
(c) 3050 (d) 3090
𝑝
(38) If 0. 125 = 𝑞 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑝 + 𝑞 =?
125
(a) 125 (b) 999
(c) 1124 (d) 9925
(39) The value of 0.423
423 419
(a) 999 (b) 990
(c) 416
999
(d) none of these
(40) The sum of first 6-terms of a G.P is 9 times the sum of the first 3 terms then r =
?
(a) 0 (b) 1
(c) -1 (d) 2
(41) If 5 is H.M between 2 and b then b =?
(a) 10 (b) -10
(c) 15 (d) 5
(42) The sum of the series whose nth term is, n2 +4n +1?
n(2n2  15n  19) n(2n2  15n  19)
(a) (b)
2 6
n(2n  15n  19)
2
n (2n  15n  19)
2 2
(c) (d)
6 6
2
x x
(43) If y = 1    ...... , then find the interval in which the series is convergent?
2 4
1 1
(a) -2 < x < 2 (b)  x   ......
2 2
1
(c) -2 < x < (d) none
2
(44) Find the sum of first 20-terms of a series whose rth term is 3r + 1
(a) 600 (b) 650
(c) 560 (d) 620

(45) The 8th term of the series, 2 5 + 2 + 0 + ….is;

(a) -5 5 (b) 5 2
(c) 5 5 (d) 10 5
(46) For what value of x, 1 + ex + e2x + ……= 9
(a) In (9) (b) In (8)
(c) In   (d) In  
8 9
9 8
(47) If α, β,  are three consecutive terms of an A.P. then which of the following is
true?
1
(a)   (   ) (b)   
2
1
(c)   (   ) (d)   (   )
2
(48) Let Sn = sum of all positive integers less than “n” then S51 = ?
(a) 1275 (b) 1326
(c) 1250 (d) 50
(49) For 9 + 9 + 9 +……32 terms = ?
(a) 280 (b) 288
(c) 245 (d) 440
(50) In an H.P. a3 = 1/15 and a8 = 1/35, then a20 = ?
(a) 1/75 (b) 1/69
(c) 1/95 (d) 1/83
(51) Find the first term of a G.P if the fourth term is 1/7 and common ratio is 7:
(a) 49 (b) -1/49
(c) -343 (d) 1/2401
 Unit ( 6)
SEQUANCES AND SERIES
1 C 19 D 37

2 C 20 B 38 C

3 C 21 D 39 B

4 B 22 D 40 B

5 B 23 B 41 B

6 C 24 A 42 B

7 B 25 C 43 A

8 D 26 D 44 B

9 B 27 B 45 A

10 B 28 B 46 C

11 D 29 A 47 A

12 D 30 B 48 C

13 D 31 B 49 B

14 D 32 D 50 D

15 C 33 A 51 D

16 D 34 D

17 35 B

18 B 36 C