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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 — Page 10

Q6 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Arithmetic Progression
The number of common terms in the progressions 4, 9, 14, 19, up to 25th term and 3, 6, 9, 12, up to 37th term is :
  • A. 9
  • B. 5
  • C. 7
  • D. 8

Solution

Related Formula
Tₙ = a + (n-1)d Dcommon = LCM(d₁, d₂)
Core Logic

First Progression (S₁): 4, 9, 14, 19, Common difference d₁ = 5. Last term (T₂₅) = 4 + (25-1)5 = 4 + 120 = 124.

Second Progression (S₂): 3, 6, 9, 12, Common difference d₂ = 3. Last term (T₃₇) = 3 + (37-1)3 = 3 + 108 = 111.

Step 1: Forming the Common AP

By inspecting the sequences, the first common term (acommon) is 9. The common difference of the new series is the LCM of the original differences:

Dcommon = LCM(5, 3) = 15

Thus, the common terms form a new AP: 9, 24, 39, 54,

Step 2: Bounding the Sequence

The last term of the common AP must be less than or equal to the smallest maximum limit of the two series. Here, (124, 111) = 111. So, the n-th term of the common sequence is bounded by 111:

9 + (n-1)15 ≤ 111

15(n-1) ≤ 102

(n-1) ≤ (102)/(15) = 6.8

n ≤ 7.8 Since n must be an integer, n = 7.

Pattern Recognition

The common terms of two APs always form a new AP. Its common difference is the LCM of the original differences. Find the first common term manually, then cap the n-th term inequality with the smallest end-boundary of the original sets.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q25 jee_main_2024_27_jan_morning Arithmetico-Geometric Progression
If 8 = 3 + (1)/(4)(3+p) + (1)/(4²)(3+2p) + (1)/(4³)(3+3p) + ∞, then the value of p is:
Numerical Answer. Answer: 9 to 9

Solution

Related Formula
S∞ = (a)/(1-r) + (dr)/((1-r)²)

(Sum of an infinite Arithmetico-Geometric Progression, where a is the first AP term, d is common difference, and r is geometric ratio).

Core Logic

The series given is an AGP. However, let's look at it explicitly. Let S = 8.

8 = 3 + (3+p)/(4) + (3+2p)/(4²) +

Multiply the entire equation by the geometric ratio (1/4):

(8)/(4) = (3)/(4) + (3+p)/(4²) + (3+2p)/(4³) +
Step 1: Shift and Subtract

Subtract the shifted series from the original series:

8 - (8)/(4) = 3 + ((3+p)/(4) - (3)/(4)) + ((3+2p)/(4²) - (3+p)/(4²)) + 8 - 2 = 3 + (p)/(4) + (p)/(4²) + (p)/(4³) + 6 = 3 + (p)/(4) ( 1 + (1)/(4) + (1)/(4²) + )
Step 2: Summing the pure Infinite GP

The term in parentheses is an infinite geometric series with a=1 and r=1/4. Sum = (1)/(1 - 1/4) = (1)/(3/4) = (4)/(3)

Step 3: Final Output Evaluation

Substitute this sum back:

6 = 3 + (p)/(4) × (4)/(3) 6 - 3 = (p)/(3) 3 = (p)/(3) ⇒ p = 9
Pattern Recognition

The shift-and-subtract technique natively nullifies the arithmetic growth leaving behind a uniform geometric progression. Using the AGP direct formula S = a/(1-r) + dr/(1-r)² works perfectly here as well.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q1 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Geometric Progression
If in a G.P. of 64 terms, the sum of all the terms is 7 times the sum of the odd terms of the G.P, then the common ratio of the G.P. is equal to
  • A. 7
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 6

Solution

Related Formula
Sₙ = (a(1 - rⁿ))/(1 - r)

where Sₙ is the sum of n terms, a is the first term, and r is the common ratio.

Core Logic

Let the terms of the G.P. be a, ar, ar², ar³, , ar⁶³.

The sum of all 64 terms is given by:

Sall = a + ar + ar² + + ar⁶³ = a(1 - r⁶⁴)1 - r

The odd terms are a, ar², ar⁴, , ar⁶². This forms another G.P. with 32 terms and a common ratio of r². The sum of the odd terms is:

Sodd = a + ar² + ar⁴ + + ar⁶² = a(1 - (r²)³²)1 - r² = a(1 - r⁶⁴)1 - r²
Step 1: Equate and Solve for r

We are given that Sall = 7 · Sodd. Substituting our formulas:

a(1 - r⁶⁴)1 - r = 7 · a(1 - r⁶⁴)1 - r²

Assuming a ≠ 0 and r ≠ 1, we can cancel the common terms a(1 - r⁶⁴) from both sides:

(1)/(1 - r) = (7)/(1 - r²)

Since 1 - r² = (1 - r)(1 + r), we have:

(1)/(1 - r) = (7)/((1 - r)(1 + r))

1 + r = 7

r = 6

Pattern Recognition

Shortcut: In any G.P. with an even number of terms, the ratio of the total sum to the sum of the odd-positioned terms is exactly 1 + r. Thus, 1 + r = 7 ⇒ r = 6 immediately.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

Q2 jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning Arithmetic Progression
In an A.P., the sixth term a₆=2. If the product a₁ a₄ a₅ is the greatest, then the common difference of the A.P., is equal to
  • A. (3)/(2)
  • B. (8)/(5)
  • C. (2)/(3)
  • D. (5)/(8)

Solution

Related Formula
aₙ = a + (n-1)d

For finding extrema of a polynomial function f(x), we set its derivative f'(x) = 0.

Core Logic

Given the 6th term of the A.P. is a₆ = 2.

a + 5d = 2 ⇒ a = 2 - 5d

We need to maximize the product P = a₁ a₄ a₅.

P = a(a + 3d)(a + 4d)

Substituting a = 2 - 5d into the expression for P:

P = (2 - 5d)(2 - 5d + 3d)(2 - 5d + 4d) P = (2 - 5d)(2 - 2d)(2 - d)
Step 1: Expand and Differentiate

Let's expand P as a function of d, f(d):

f(d) = (2 - 5d)(4 - 6d + 2d²) f(d) = 8 - 12d + 4d² - 20d + 30d² - 10d³ f(d) = -10d³ + 34d² - 32d + 8

To find the maximum, we differentiate f(d) with respect to d and equate to zero:

f'(d) = -30d² + 68d - 32 = 0 15d² - 34d + 16 = 0

Factoring the quadratic:

15d² - 24d - 10d + 16 = 0 3d(5d - 8) - 2(5d - 8) = 0 (5d - 8)(3d - 2) = 0

This gives critical points d = (8)/(5) and d = (2)/(3).

Step 2: Check for Maximum

We check the second derivative to confirm a maximum:

f''(d) = -60d + 68

At d = (8)/(5):

f''((8)/(5)) = -60((8)/(5)) + 68 = -96 + 68 = -28 lt 0 (Maximum)

At d = (2)/(3):

f''((2)/(3)) = -60((2)/(3)) + 68 = -40 + 68 = 28 gt 0 (Minimum)

Therefore, the greatest product occurs at d = (8)/(5).

Pattern Recognition

When asked to maximize a product of A.P. terms with a known constant term, express all terms strictly in d, build the cubic, and use standard calculus f'(x)=0 checking roots against the 2nd derivative test (Wavy Curve method works beautifully here).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives

Q6 jee_main_2024_30_january_evening Geometric Progression
Let a and b be two distinct positive real numbers. Let 11th term of a GP, whose first term is a and third term is b , is equal to pth term of another GP, whose first term is a and fifth term is b . Then p is equal to
  • A. 20
  • B. 25
  • C. 21
  • D. 24

Solution

Related Formula
nth term of a GP: Tₙ = a rⁿ⁻¹
Core Logic

For the first Geometric Progression (GP): First term t₁ = a Third term t₃ = b = a r₁² ⇒ r₁² = (b)/(a) The 11th term is:

t₁₁ = a r₁¹⁰ = a (r₁²)⁵ = a ((b)/(a))⁵

For the second Geometric Progression (GP): First term T₁ = a Fifth term T₅ = a r₂⁴ = b ⇒ r₂⁴ = (b)/(a) ⇒ r₂ = ((b)/(a))1/4

Step 1: Equating the Terms

The pth term of the second GP is:

Tₚ = a r₂p-1 = a (((b)/(a))1/4)p-1 = a ((b)/(a))(p-1)/(4)

Given that t₁₁ = Tₚ:

a ((b)/(a))⁵ = a ((b)/(a))(p-1)/(4)
Step 2: Solving for p

Since a and b are distinct positive real numbers, (b)/(a) ≠ 1. Therefore, we can equate the exponents:

5 = (p - 1)/(4) 20 = p - 1 ⇒ p = 21
Pattern Recognition

Express the common ratios strictly in terms of powers of (b/a) to bypass isolated radical tracking.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

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