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Sequences and Series appeared 55 times across 3 years — 6.4% of Mathematics. This question is from Arithmetic Progression Properties.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 17 24 14 55

Let Tᵣ be the rth term of an A.P. If for some m, Tm = (1)/(25), T₂₅ = (1)/(20) and 20Σr = 1²⁵ Tᵣ = 13 then 5mΣr = m2m Tᵣ is equal to:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Standard Arithmetic Progression summation template:

Sₙ = (n)/(2)[2a + (n-1)d]
Core Logic

Given structural constraints:

T₂₅ = a + 24d = (1)/(20) 20 · (25)/(2)[a + (1)/(20)] = 13 a = (1)/(500)
Step 1: Finding Parameters and Indices

Substituting a = (1)/(500) back into a + 24d = (1)/(20) gives d = (1)/(500).

Using the formula for Tm:

Tm = a + (m-1)d = (1)/(500) + (m-1)/(500) = (1)/(25) m = 20
Step 2: Computing the Target Segment Sum

For m = 20, the target expression becomes:

5(20) Σr=20⁴⁰ Tᵣ = 100 · (21)/(2) [T₂₀ + T₄₀]

Evaluating the values gives exactly 126.

Pattern Recognition

When a = d, the expressions simplify directly to basic multiples of the index position (Tₙ = n · d), cutting down calculation time.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

More Sequences and Series Previous-Year Questions

Q6 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Properties of Geometric Progression
Let a₁ , a₂ , a₃ , ..... be a G.P. of increasing positive terms such that a₂ · a₃ · a₄ = 64 and a₁ + a₃ + a₅ = (813)/(7) . Then a₃ + a₅ + a₇ is equal to :
  • A. 3256
  • B. 3252
  • C. 3244
  • D. 3248

Solution

Related Formula
n-th term of a GP: Tₙ = a rⁿ⁻¹
Core Logic

Let the terms of the GP be a, ar, ar², ar³, Given: a₂ · a₃ · a₄ = 64

(ar) · (ar²) · (ar³) = 64 a³ r⁶ = 64 ⇒ (ar²)³ = 64 ⇒ ar² = 4

Since it is a GP of increasing positive terms, r > 1 and a > 0.

Step 1: Utilize the sum condition

Given: a₁ + a₃ + a₅ = (813)/(7)

a + ar² + ar⁴ = (813)/(7)

Extract a from ar² = 4 ⇒ a = (4)/(r²). Substitute this in:

(4)/(r²) + 4 + 4r² = (813)/(7) 4((1)/(r²) + 1 + r²) = (813)/(7)

Let r² = t:

4((1)/(t) + 1 + t) = (813)/(7)

Wait, there is a much faster method by just scaling the required expression.

Step 2: Calculate the required expression

We need a₃ + a₅ + a₇ = ar² + ar⁴ + ar⁶. Notice that ar² + ar⁴ + ar⁶ = r² (a + ar² + ar⁴). So, required sum = r² ((813)/(7)).

To find r², we solve the quadratic in t = r²:

4((t² + t + 1)/(t)) = (813)/(7) 28t² + 28t + 28 = 813t 28t² - 785t + 28 = 0

The roots are t = 28 and t = (1)/(28). Since the GP is increasing, r > 1 ⇒ r² = 28.

Step 3: Final evaluation

Alternatively, expand directly:

ar² (1 + r² + r⁴) = 4 (1 + 28 + (28)²) = 4(1 + 28 + 784) = 4(813) = 3252.

(Note: r² × (813)/(7) = 28 × (813)/(7) = 4 × 813 = 3252)

Pattern Recognition

In GP questions demanding a sum shifted by a fixed index (like a₁+a₃+a₅ to a₃+a₅+a₇), immediately look to factor out the common ratio multiplier r^k. Here it's a simple scaling by r².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series Class 10 Maths: Quadratic Equations

Q22 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Telescoping Sums and Recurrence Relations
Let a₁ = 1 and for n ≥ 1 , aₙ₊₁ = (1)/(2) aₙ + (n² - 2n - 1)/(n² (n + 1)²) . Then |Σn=1∞(aₙ - (2)/(n²))| is equal
Numerical Answer. Answer: 2 to 2

Solution

Related Formula

Partial fraction decomposition for telescopic summing:

(2n² - (n+1)² + 1 )/( ) structures directly cancel in series expansions.
Core Logic

Given recurrence:

aₙ₊₁ - (1)/(2)aₙ = (n² - 2n - 1)/(n²(n+1)²)

Rewrite the numerator to split the fraction:

n² - 2n - 1 = 2n² - (n² + 2n + 1) = 2n² - (n+1)² aₙ₊₁ - (1)/(2)aₙ = (2n² - (n+1)²)/(n²(n+1)²) = (2)/((n+1)²) - (1)/(n²)
Step 1: Telescope generation

Multiply both sides by appropriate powers of 2 to create a cancelling chain: For n=1: a₂ - (1)/(2)a₁ = (2)/(2²) - (1)/(1²) For n=2: multiply by 2 ⇒ 2[a₃ - (1)/(2)a₂ = (2)/(3²) - (1)/(2²)] ⇒ 2a₃ - a₂ = (2 × 2)/(3²) - (2)/(2²) Wait, let's look at a cleaner telescopic scaling: aₙ₊₁ - (2)/((n+1)²) = (1)/(2) (aₙ - (2)/(n²)).

Step 2: Identify Geometric Progression

Let Vₙ = aₙ - (2)/(n²). The recurrence gives Vₙ₊₁ = (1)/(2) Vₙ. This proves Vₙ is a geometric progression with common ratio r = 1/2. First term V₁ = a₁ - (2)/(1²) = 1 - 2 = -1.

Step 3: Infinite Summation

We need | Σn=1∞ ( aₙ - (2)/(n²) ) | = | Σn=1∞ Vₙ |. Since Vₙ is an infinite GP:

S∞ = (V₁)/(1 - r) = (-1)/(1 - 1/2) = (-1)/(1/2) = -2

Taking absolute value: |-2| = 2

Pattern Recognition

When dealing with rational fraction recurrences Aₙ₊₁ - k Aₙ = f(n) - k f(n-1), immediately substitute Vₙ = Aₙ - f(n). This substitution instantly isolates a classical Geometric Progression.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q12 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Geometric Progression
Let a₁, (a₂)/(2), (a₃)/(2²), …, a₁₀2⁹ be a G.P. of common ratio \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}. If a₁ + a₂ + … + a₁₀ = 62, then a₁ is equal to:
  • A. 2(√(2) - 1)
  • B. 2 - √(2)
  • C. √(2) - 1
  • D. 2(2 - √(2))

Solution

Related Formula
Sum of G.P. Sₙ = (a(rⁿ - 1))/(r - 1) (for r > 1)
Core Logic

The given sequence is a G.P. with ratio 1√(2).

(a₂/2)/(a₁) = 1√(2) a₂ = a₁ √(2) (a₃/2²)/(a₂/2) = 1√(2) (a₃)/(2 a₂) = 1√(2) a₃ = a₂ √(2) = a₁ (√(2))²

Thus, a₁, a₂, a₃, , a₁₀ forms a standard G.P. with first term a₁ and common ratio R = √(2).

Step 1: Calculate the Sum

Sum of this new sequence is S₁₀ = 62.

S₁₀ = a₁ ( (√(2))¹⁰ - 1 )√(2) - 1 = 62

Since (√(2))¹⁰ = 2⁵ = 32:

62 = a₁ (32 - 1)√(2) - 1 62 = 31 a₁√(2) - 1 2 = a₁√(2) - 1 a₁ = 2(√(2) - 1)
Pattern Recognition

If a sequence bₙ = aₙkⁿ⁻¹ is a G.P. with ratio r, then the base sequence aₙ is inherently a G.P. with ratio R = kr.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequence and Series

Q20 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Arithmetic Progression
If the sum of the first four terms of an A.P. is 6 and the sum of its first six terms is 4, then the sum of its first twelve terms is
  • A. -20
  • B. -24
  • C. -26
  • D. -22

Solution

Related Formula
Sₙ = (n)/(2)[2a + (n-1)d]
Core Logic

Given the sum of first 4 terms is S₄ = 6:

(4)/(2)(2a + 3d) = 6 2a + 3d = 3 (1)

Given the sum of first 6 terms is S₆ = 4:

(6)/(2)(2a + 5d) = 4 2a + 5d = (4)/(3) (2)
Step 1: Finding Parameters a and d

Subtract equation (1) from equation (2):

(2a + 5d) - (2a + 3d) = (4)/(3) - 3 2d = -(5)/(3) d = -(5)/(6)

Substitute d into equation (1):

2a + 3(-(5)/(6)) = 3 2a - (5)/(2) = 3 2a = 3 + (5)/(2) = (11)/(2) a = (11)/(4)
Step 2: Calculating Sum of 12 terms
S₁₂ = (12)/(2)[2a + 11d] S₁₂ = 6 [2((11)/(4)) + 11(-(5)/(6))] S₁₂ = 6 [ (11)/(2) - (55)/(6) ] = 6 [ (33 - 55)/(6) ] S₁₂ = 33 - 55 = -22
Pattern Recognition

Standard two-variable linear equations format strictly from sum identities. Fractions easily resolve by distributing the external multiplication constant n/2 directly into the bracket.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q19 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Functional Equations and Geometric Series
Let f and g be functions satisfying f(x+y) = f(x)f(y), f(1) = 7 and g(x+y) = g(xy), g(1) = 1, for all x, y in N. If Σx=1ⁿ ((f(x))/(g(x))) = 19607, then n is equal to:
  • A. 7
  • B. 5
  • C. 6
  • D. 4

Solution

Related Formula

Exponential functional equation: f(x+y) = f(x)f(y) f(x) = a^x. Geometric progression sum formula: Sₙ = (a(rⁿ - 1))/(r - 1).

Core Logic

Since f(1) = 7, f(x) = 7^x. For g(x+y) = g(xy), set y = 1 g(x+1) = g(x). Since g(1) = 1, we have g(1) = g(2) = = g(n) = 1.

Step 1: Solve Summation
Σx=1ⁿ (7^x)/(1) = 19607 7 ( (7ⁿ - 1)/(7 - 1) ) = 19607 (7)/(6) (7ⁿ - 1) = 19607 7ⁿ - 1 = 16806 7ⁿ = 16807

Since 7⁵ = 16807, n = 5.

Pattern Recognition

Recognize f(x)=7^x and constant function g(x)=1 from given functional equations.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series Class 11 Maths: Functions and Graphs

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