Progressions Dr.

Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

 Arithmetical Progression(AP)

Arithmetical Progression (A.P): An Arithmetic Progression is a sequence in which the

difference between two consecutive terms like the (n-1)th and nth term is constant. This
constant is called the common difference (denoted by ‘d’) of the Progression. That is, in
Arithmetic Progression, an – an-1 is constant for all integers n>1.

For example: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11,..........

0,√ 2,2 √ 2,3 √ 2, 4 √2 ,........

x + y, x, x – y, x – 2y,........

Each of the above series is an A.P with common difference 2,√ 2 and – y respectively.

In general, the standard form of an arithmetic progression is

a, (a + d), (a + 2d), (a + 3d),...........

The nth term of an A.P: Let ‘a1’ be the first term and ‘d’ be the common difference.

Then, first term = a1

second term, a2 = a1 + d

third term, a3 = a1 + 2d

fourth term, a4 = a1 + 3d

...... ....... ........ ...... ......

‘n’th term, an = a1 + (n -1)d;

This ‘n’th term is called the general term of the standard A.P.

Sum of a Series in A.P: If the sum of n terms is denoted by S n and the first and the last terms
of the sequence is denoted by ‘a1’ and ‘l’ respectively, then the formula of the sum of a series
in A.P is,

n(a 1+l )
Sn =
2

Now, by substituting {a1 + (n – 1) d} for ‘l’ then the above formula can also be written as

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

n
Sn = {2a1 + (n – 1) d}
2

Arithmetic Mean: When there are three quantities in A.P, then the middle one is called the
Arithmetic Mean of other two terms. If a, b, c are in A.P, then we have

b–a=c–b

a+c
or, 2b = a + b ∴b=
2

In general, when many quantities form an A.P, then the quantities lying in between the first
and the last are called Arithmetic Means. Thus, if a, A 1, A2, A3 ... An, b are in A.P, the
quantities A1, A2, A3 ... An, are called the Arithmetic Means between a and b.

 Solved Problems

Example-1: Find the 16th term of the series 3.75, 3.5, 3.25, ...........

Solution: In this case, a1 = 3.75, a2 = 3.5, a3 = 3.25

∴ Common Difference, d = a2 – a1 = 3.5 – 3.75 = – 0.25 and n = 16

We know that, n th term, an = a1 + (n -1) d

Therefore, 16th term, a16 = 3.75 + (16 – 1) (-0.25)

= 3.75 +15 × (-0.25)

= 3.75 – 3.75 = 0 [Ans]

3 2 7
Example-2: Find the sum of + + … … …. up to 19 terms.
4 3 12

3 2
Solution: Here, a1 = , a2 = , n= 19
4 3

2 3 1
∴ Common difference, d = a2 – a1 = - = -
3 4 12

n
We know, Sn = {2a1 + (n – 1) d}
2

19 3 −1
Thus, S19 = [2 × + (19 – 1) × ( )
2 4 12

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

19 3 −1
= [2 × + 18 × ]
2 4 12

19 3 1
= [2 × −18 × ]
2 4 12

19 3 −3 19
= [ ]= × 0 = 0 [Ans]
2 2 2 2

Example-3: Find the sum of the series: 72 + 70 + 68 + .......... + 40.

Solution: Here, a1 = 72, a2 = 70, then d = a2 – a1 = -2,

Let, n be the total number of terms. Then, an = 40

We know that, an = a1 + (n – 1) d

Or, 40 = 72 + nd – d

Or, 40 = 72 -2n +2

Or, 2n = 72 – 40 +2 = 34

∴ n = 17

17
Now, S17 = [2 × 72 + (17 – 1) ×−2]
2

17 16
= [144 - (16) ×2] = [144 - 32]
2 2

17
= [112] = 17 × 56 = 952 [Ans]
2

Example-4: Find the sum of the series: 29 + 25 + 21 + .......... - 23. [Ans: n = 14; Sn = 42]

Example-5: Find which term of the series 4 + 7 + 10 +13 ................ is 301? [Ans: n= 100]

Example-6: If pth, qth, rth term of an A.P are a, b, c respectively, show that

(q – r) a + (r – p)b + (p – q) c = 0.

Solution: Let a1 is the first term and d is the common difference of the A.P, then

pth term, a = a1 + (p – 1) d.........(1)

qth term, b = a1 + (q – 1) d.........(2)

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

rth term , c = a1 + (r – 1) d...........(3)

Subtracting (2) from (1), and (3) from (2) we get
a – b = (p – q) d............(4)
b – c = (q – r) d ............(5)
Dividing (4) by (5), we get
a−b p−q
=
b−c q−r

⇒ (a – b) (q – r) = (b – c) ((p – q)

⇒ (a – b) (q – r) – (b – c) (p – q) = 0

⇒ (q – r) a – (q – r) b – (p – q) b + (p – q) c = 0

⇒ (q – r) a – qb + rb - pb + qb + (p – q) c = 0

⇒ (q – r) a + (r – p) b + (p – q) c = 0 [Showed]
1 1 1
Example-7: If , , are in A.P; prove that a2, b2, c2 are also in A.P.
b+c c +a a+ b

1 1 1
Solution: Since , , are in A.P, then we have
b+c c +a a+ b

1 1 1 −1
−¿ = , [if a, b, c, are in A.P; then b – a = c – b]
c+ a b+c a+b c+ a

( b+c )−(c +a) ( c+ a )−(a+ b)

⇒ =
( c+ a ) (b+ c) ( a+b ) (c+ a)

( b−a ) ( c−b )
⇒ =
( c+ a ) (b+ c) ( a+b ) (c +a)

( b−a ) ( c−b )
⇒ =
(b+ c) ( a+b )

⇒ b2 – a2 =c2 – b2

⇒ a2, b2, c2 are in A.P [Proved]

Example-8: The first and the last terms of an A.P are respectively – 4 and 146, and the sum
of A.P is 7171. Find the number of terms of the A.P and also common difference.

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

Solution: Let n be the total number of terms of the A.P

∴ a1 = - 4, l = 146, Sn = 7171

n(a 1+l)
Thus, Sn =
2

n(−4+146) n(142)
⇒ 7171 = = = 71n
2 2

7171
⇒n= = 101 [Ans]
71

Also, an = a1 + (n – 1) d

⇒ 146 = - 4 + (101 – 1) d

⇒ 146 + 4 = 100d

⇒ d = 150/100

∴ d = 1.5 [Ans]

 Exercises
5 2 1 1
1) Find the 25th term of the series, 1 , 6 , 3 , 2 , 3 … … . . [Ans: - 3]

2) Find the number of terms of the series 1 + 4 + 7 + 10 + .......328. [Ans: n = 110]

3) Find the sum of the series: 5 + 11 + 17+ 23 .......... + 59. [Ans: n = 10 & Sn = 320]

4) Find the sum of the series: 8 + 13 + 18 + 23 + .........to 25 terms. [Ans: Sn = 1700]

5) Find the sum of the series: 21 + 15 + 9 + 3 +........to 20 terms. [Ans: Sn = -720]

6) Find which term of the series 8 + 11 + 14 +17 .................... is 392? [Ans: n= 129]

7) The first term of an A.P is 3 and its nth term is 23. If the sum of the first n terms of
the A.P is 351; then find ‘n’. [Ans: 27]
8) The sum of a series in A.P is 72, the first term 17 and the common difference is – 2.
Find the number of terms? [Ans: 6 or 12]
9) The first and the last terms of an A.P are respectively 7 and 140, and the sum is 1470.
Find the number of terms of the A.P and also common difference. [Ans: 20 & 7]
10) The pth term of an A.P is q and the qth term is p. Show that the rth term is p +
q – r and the (p+q)th term is zero.

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

 Geometrical Progression(GP)

Geometric Progression (G.P): A geometrical progression is a sequence whose terms

increase or decrease by a constant ratio called the common ratio.

For example: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..........

1 1 1 1
1, , , , ,……
2 4 8 16

5, - 10, 20, - 40, 80, .......

1
Each of the above series is a G.P with common ratio 2, and – 2 respectively.
2

In general, the standard form of an geometric progression is

a, ar, ar2, ar3, ..........., arn-2, arn-1

‘n’ th term of a G.P: Let the first term be ‘a’ and ‘r’, the common ratio. By definition the G.P
is a, ar, ar2, ar3, ...........

Hence, 1st term = a = ar0 = ar1-1

2nd term = ar = ar1 = ar2-1
3rd term = ar2 = ar3-1
.......................................
In general, ‘n’ th term = arn-1

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

Sum of First n Terms of a G.P: Let a, ar, ar2, .... be a given G.P and Sn be the sum of its first
‘n’ terms. Then the series is

Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ........... arn-1......................(1)

Multiplying both sides by ‘r’
r Sn = ar + ar2 + ar3 + ........... arn-1 + arn......................(2)
Now, subtracting (2) from (1), we get

Sn - r Sn = a - arn ⇒ Sn(1 – r) = a(1 – rn)

a(1−r n)
∴ Sn = [When r < 1]
(1−r )
n n
a(1−r ) −a(1−r )
Again, Sn = ⇒ Sn = [multiplying numerator & denominator by -]
(1−r ) −(1−r )

a(r n−1)
∴ Sn = [When r > 1]
(r−1)

Geometric Mean: If a, b, c are consecutive terms in G.P, then ‘b’ is known as the Geometric
Mean (G.M) between ‘a’ and ‘c’. Hence we can write

b c
= ⇒ b2 = ca
a b

 Solved Problems

Example-1: Find the 6th and 8th terms of the series: 1, - 3, 9, - 27... ... ...

Solution: Here, a = 1 and common ratio, r = - 3

We know, nth term an = arn-1

∴ 6th term, a6 = 1× (- 3)6 – 1 = (- 3)5 = - 243

And 8th term, a8 = 1 × (- 3)8 – 1 = (- 3)7 = - 2187 [Ans]

Example-2: Find the sum of first 14th terms of a G.P: 3, 9, 27, 81 ... ..... ......

Solution: Here, a = 3; common ratio, r = 3 (r > 1); n = 14

a(r n−1)
∴ Sn = [When r > 1]
(r−1)

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

3(314−1) 3(314−1) 3 14
⇒ S14 = = = ( 3 −1 ) [Ans]
(3−1) 2 2

Example-3: Find which term of the series 2, 6, 18, 54, ............................. is 486?

Solution: Here, a = 2; common ratio, r = 3 (r > 1); Let, an = 486

We know an = arn – 1

⇒ 486 = 2 × 3n -1

⇒ 3n -1 = 486/2 = 243 = 35

⇒ 3n -1 = 35 ∴ n-1 = 5 or, n = 5 +1 = 6 [Ans]

Example-4: Sum the series 5 + 55 + 555 + ............ up to ‘n’ terms.

Solution: Let Sn = 5 + 55 + 555 + ............

= 5(1 +11 + 111+ ..........)

5
= (9 + 99 + 999 + ..........)
9

5
= [(10 – 1) + (100 – 1) + (1000 – 1) + ..........]
9

5
= [10 + 102 + 103 + ..........+ 10n) – (1 +1 +1 +...........+ n terms)]
9

5 10(10n−1) a(r n−1)

= [ - n] [∵ Sn = [When r > 1]
9 10−1 (r−1)

5 10(10n−1)
=9[ - n]
9

50 5
= (10n −1) – n [Ans]
81 9

Example-5: If (a2+b2), (ab+bc) and (b2+c2) are in G.P. Prove that a, b, c are also in G.P.

Solution: Since, (a2 + b2), (ab + bc) and (b2 + c2) are in G.P, we get

(ab + bc)2 = (a2 + b2) (b2 + c2) [∵ In G.P, b2 = ca]

⇒ b2 (a + c) 2 = a2 b2 + a2 c2 + b4 + b2 c2

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

⇒ b2 (a2 + 2ac + c2) = a2 b2 + a2 c2 + b4 + b2 c2

⇒ a2 b2 + 2ab2c + b2 c2 = a2 b2 + a2 c2 + b4 + b2 c2

⇒ 2ab2c = a2 c2 + b4

⇒ a2 c2 -2ab2c + b4 = 0

⇒ (ac) 2 – 2. ac. b2 + (b2)2 = 0

⇒ (ac – b2)2 = 0

⇒ ac – b2

i.e., b 2 = ac ∴ a, b, c are in G.P [Ans]

124
Example-6: Three numbers are in G.P. Their product is 64 and sum is . Find the
5
numbers.

a
Solution: Let the number be , a, ar
r

a
∴ × a × ar = 64 ...............(1)
r

a 124
+ a + ar = ............(2)
r 5

From (1) we get, a3 = 64 = 43

∴a=4

Putting a = 4 in equation (1), we get

4 124
r
+ 4 + 4 r = 5

4+ 4 r + 4 r 2 124
⇒ = 5
r

4 (1+r +r 2 ) 124
⇒ = 5
r

(1+r +r 2 ) 31
⇒ = 5
r

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

⇒ 5 + 5r + 5r2 = 31r

⇒ 5r2 – 26r + 5 = 0

⇒ 5r2 – 25r - r + 5 = 0

⇒ 5r(r – 5) – 1(r – 5)= 0

⇒ (r – 5) (5r – 1) = 0

∴ r = 5 or 1/5

4 4
If r =5 then the three numbers are , 4, 4×5 or, , 4, 20
5 5

4
1 4
If r =1/5 then the three numbers are 1 , 4, 4× or, 20, 4,
5 5
5

4
∴ In both case, the numbers are , 4, 20 [Ans]
5

 Exercises
1 1
1) Find the sum of the series 4 + 2 + 1 + + +......to 10 terms. [Ans: 8 (app)]
2 4

2) Find which term of the series 1 + 2 + 4 +8 .................... is 256? [Ans: 9]

3) Find which term of the series 0.004 + 0.02 + 0.1 + .................... is 12.5? [Ans: 6]

4) Find which term of the series 128 + 64 + 32 + .................... is ½? [Ans: 9]

5) Sum the series 8 + 88 + 888 + ............ up to ‘n’ terms.

6) Sum the series 7 + 77 + 777 + ............ up to ‘n’ terms.

7) Sum the series .6 + .66 + .666 + ............ up to ‘n’ terms.

8) Three consecutive terms of a G.P are 32n – 1, 9n and 243. Find the value of ‘n’. [Ans: 2]

9) Three numbers are in G.P. Their sum is 35 and product is 1000. Find the numbers.

[Ans: 5, 10, 20]

10) Three numbers are in G.P. Their product is 27000 and sum is130. Find the numbers.
[Ans: 10, 30, 90]

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 Progressions Dr. Rashed Al Karim
PhD (Malaysia); MBA (UK);
M.Sc. (CU); B.Sc. (CU)

11) Three numbers are in G.P. Their sum is 39 and product is 729. Find the numbers.

[Ans: 4, 10, 25]

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