Sequences and Series


  1. In a geometric progression, the sum of the first and the last term is 66 and the product of the second and the last but one term is 128. Determine the first term of the series.









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    Let the last term be n, then
    Sum of the first and the last term = 66
    a + arn – 1 = 66
    and ar. arn – 2 = 128
    a2rn – 1 = 128
    From Eqs. (i) and (ii),
    a (66 – a) = 128

    Correct Option: B

    Let the last term be n, then
    Sum of the first and the last term = 66
    a + arn – 1 = 66
    and ar. arn – 2 = 128
    a2rn – 1 = 128
    From Eqs. (i) and (ii),
    a (66 – a) = 128
    ⇒ a² – 66a + 128 = 0
    ⇒ a = 64 , 2


  1. A sequence is generated by the rule that the xth term is x⊃2 + 1 for each positive integer x. In this sequence, for any value x > 1, the value of (x + 1)th term less the value of xth term is —









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    Given in question , xth term = x⊃2 + 1
    (x + 1)th term = (x + 1)⊃2 + 1
    According to question,
    (x + 1)th term – xth term = (x + 1)² + 1 – (x² + 1)

    Correct Option: C

    Given in question , xth term = x⊃2 + 1
    (x + 1)th term = (x + 1)⊃2 + 1
    According to question,
    (x + 1)th term – xth term = (x + 1)² + 1 – (x² + 1)
    ∴ Required answer = x² + 2x + 1 + 1 – x² – 1 = 2x + 1



  1. Four different integers form an increasing AP. If one of these numbers is equal to the sum of the squares of the other three numbers, then the numbers are —









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    According to question ,
    Fourth number = sum of the squares of the other three numbers
    By hit and trial or common sense, we have,
    2 = (–1)² + (0)² + (1)²

    Correct Option: C

    According to question ,
    Fourth number = sum of the squares of the other three numbers
    By hit and trial or common sense, we have,
    2 = (–1)² + (0)² + (1)²
    Hence the numbers are –1 , 0 , 1 , 2 .


  1. How many terms are there in an AP whose first and fifth terms are –14 and 2 respectively and the sum of terms is 40 ?









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    Here , first term = –14 and fifth term = 2
    According to question,
    Tn = a + (n – 1).d
    T5 = a + (5 – 1).d
    2 = – 14 + 4d

    d =
    16
    = 4
    4

    ∴ Sn =
    n
    [2a + (n - 1) × d]
    2

    40 =
    n
    [- 28 + (n - 1) × 4]
    2

    Correct Option: B

    Here , first term = –14 and fifth term = 2
    According to question,
    Tn = a + (n – 1).d
    T5 = a + (5 – 1).d
    2 = – 14 + 4d

    d =
    16
    = 4
    4

    ∴ Sn =
    n
    [2a + (n - 1) × d]
    2

    40 =
    n
    [- 28 + (n - 1) × 4]
    2

    ⇒ 80 = – 28n + 4n² – 4n
    ⇒ 4n² – 32n – 80 = 0
    n² – 8n – 20 = 0
    ⇒ (n – 10)(n + 2) = 0
    ∴ n = 10 (∵ n ≠ -2)



  1. The first three numbers in a series are –3, 0, 3, the 10th number in the series will be —









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    According to question,
    a = –3, d = 0 - ( - 3 ) = 3 - 0 = 3
    ∴ Tn = a + (n – 1).d
    T10 = a + (10 – 1).d

    Correct Option: C

    According to question,
    a = –3, d = 0 - ( - 3 ) = 3 - 0 = 3
    ∴ Tn = a + (n – 1).d
    T10 = a + (10 – 1).d
    ∴ T10 = –3 + 9 × 3 = 24