JEE Main · Mathematics → Steady

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 2

Q24 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening AP and GP Relations
Suppose a, b, c are in A.P. and a², 2b², c² are in G.P. If a < b < c and a + b + c = 1, then 9(a² + b² + c²) is equal to ____.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 9 to 9

Solution

Related Formula

For A.P.: a = b-d, c = b+d. For G.P.: (2b²)² = a² c² 4b⁴ = a² c².

Core Logic

Given a + b + c = 1 (b-d) + b + (b+d) = 1 3b = 1 b = (1)/(3). Using G.P. condition:

4b⁴ = [(b-d)(b+d)]² = (b² - d²)² 4 ((1)/(81)) = ((1)/(9) - d²)² (1)/(9) - d² = ± (2)/(9)

Since a < b < c, d > 0. Taking (1)/(9) - d² = -(2)/(9) d² = (1)/(3) d = 1√(3).

Step 1: Compute Required Expression
a² + b² + c² = (b-d)² + b² + (b+d)² = 3b² + 2d² = 3((1)/(9)) + 2((1)/(3)) = (1)/(3) + (2)/(3) = 1 9(a² + b² + c²) = 9(1) = 9
Pattern Recognition

Set a=b-d, c=b+d to eliminate terms early using a+b+c=1.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q20 jee_main_2026_23_january_evening Sum of n Terms
Let Σk=1ⁿ ak = α n² + β n. If a₁₀ = 59 and a₆ = 7a₁ then α + β is equal to
  • A. 12
  • B. 3
  • C. 5
  • D. 7

Solution

Related Formula

The n-th term of a sequence is aₙ = Sₙ - Sₙ₋₁.

Core Logic

We have Sₙ = α n² + β n.

aₙ = (α n² + β n) - (α(n-1)² + β(n-1)) aₙ = α(n² - (n² - 2n + 1)) + β(n - n + 1) aₙ = α(2n - 1) + β

This shows the sequence is an Arithmetic Progression with common difference 2α.

Step 1: Using Given Conditions

Condition 1: a₁₀ = 59

a₁₀ = α(2(10) - 1) + β = 19α + β = 59

Condition 2: a₆ = 7a₁

a₆ = α(2(6) - 1) + β = 11α + β a₁ = α(2(1) - 1) + β = α + β

Substitute into the condition:

11α + β = 7(α + β) 11α + β = 7α + 7β 4α = 6β 2α = 3β
Step 2: Solving for Alpha and Beta

Substitute 2α = 3β β = (2)/(3)α into the first equation:

19α + (2)/(3)α = 59 (57α + 2α)/(3) = 59 (59α)/(3) = 59 α = 3

If α = 3, then β = (2)/(3)(3) = 2. Therefore, α + β = 3 + 2 = 5.

Pattern Recognition

Any sum of n terms that is purely a quadratic function in n describes an AP. You can instantly map the common difference to 2α and the first term to α + β.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q4 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Geometric Progressions and Product Sequences
Let 729, 81, 9, 1, be a sequence and Pₙ denote the product of the first n terms of this sequence. If 2Σn=1⁴⁰(Pₙ)(1)/(n) = (3^α - 1)/(3^β) and (α, β) = 1, then α + β is equal to
  • A. 73
  • B. 74
  • C. 75
  • D. 76

Solution

Related Formula
Pₙ = a₁ · a₂ aₙ

Sum of GP: Sₙ = a ( (1 - rⁿ)/(1 - r) )

Core Logic

The sequence is 3⁶, 3⁴, 3², 3⁰, General term ak = 36 - 2(k-1) = 38 - 2k.

Pₙ = 3⁶ · 3⁴ · 3² 38 - 2n Pₙ = 36 + 4 + 2 + + (8 - 2n)

The exponent is an AP with first term 6, common difference -2, up to n terms. Sum = (n)/(2) [2(6) + (n-1)(-2)] = (n)/(2) [14 - 2n] = n(7 - n).

Pₙ = 3n(7 - n)
Step 1: Simplifying the Expression
(Pₙ)(1)/(n) = (3n(7 - n))(1)/(n) = 37 - n

Now we evaluate the sum:

Σn=1⁴⁰ (Pₙ)(1)/(n) = Σn=1⁴⁰ 37 - n = 3⁶ + 3⁵ + 3⁴ + (40 terms)
Step 2: Geometric Series Sum

This is a GP with first term a = 3⁶, common ratio r = (1)/(3), and 40 terms.

S₄₀ = 3⁶ [ 1 - (1/3)⁴⁰1 - 1/3 ] = 3⁶ ( 1 - 3⁻⁴⁰ )2/3 = (3⁷)/(2) ( 3⁴⁰ - 13⁴⁰ ) = 3⁴⁰ - 12 × 3³³
Step 3: Comparing with Given Form

Given expression:

2 Σn=1⁴⁰ (Pₙ)(1)/(n) = 2 × 3⁴⁰ - 12 × 3³³ = 3⁴⁰ - 13³³

Comparing with (3^α - 1)/(3^β), we get:

α = 40, β = 33

Check (40, 33) = 1. (True) Therefore, α + β = 40 + 33 = 73.

Pattern Recognition

Product sequences of exponent-based terms collapse neatly when finding the n-th root, reducing complex product operations into standard Geometric Progressions.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q15 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Arithmetic Progression Properties
Consider an A.P.: a₁, a₂, , aₙ; a₁ > 0. If a₂ - a₁ = (-3)/(4), aₙ = (1)/(4) a₁, and Σi=1ⁿ aᵢ = (525)/(2), then Σi=1¹⁷ aᵢ is equal to
  • A. 476
  • B. 952
  • C. 238
  • D. 136

Solution

Related Formula
Sₙ = (n)/(2)(a₁ + aₙ) aₙ = a₁ + (n - 1)d
Core Logic

Given common difference d = -3/4. (n)/(2)(a₁ + (a₁)/(4)) = (525)/(2) (n)/(2) · (5a₁)/(4) = (525)/(2) ⇒ (5na₁)/(4) = 525 ⇒ n a₁ = 420

Step 1: Finding Parameters

Use n-th term formula:

aₙ = a₁ + (n-1)d ⇒ (a₁)/(4) = a₁ + (n-1)((-3)/(4)) (-3)/(4)a₁ = (-3)/(4)(n-1) ⇒ a₁ = n-1

Substitute into n a₁ = 420: n(n-1) = 420

n² - n - 420 = 0 ⇒ (n-21)(n+20) = 0

Since n > 0, n = 21. This means a₁ = 20.

Step 2: Evaluating S17
Σi=1¹⁷ aᵢ = S₁₇ = (17)/(2) [2a₁ + 16d] = (17)/(2) [ 2(20) + 16((-3)/(4)) ] = (17)/(2) [40 - 12] = (17)/(2) (28) = 17 × 14 = 238
Pattern Recognition

Dual AP conditions defining sum and last term invariably reduce to a quadratic in n. Using Sₙ = (n)/(2)(a + l) avoids messy expansion of (n-1)d prematurely.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Q5 jee_main_2026_24_january_evening Arithmetic Progression Properties
Let α₁, α₂, α₃, α₄ be an A.P. of four terms such that each term of the A.P. and its common difference l are integers. If α₁ + α₂ + α₃ + α₄ = 48 and α₁α₂α₃α₄ + l⁴ = 361 then the largest term of the A.P. is equal to
  • A. 27
  • B. 24
  • C. 21
  • D. 23

Solution

Related Formula
Standard 4-term A.P. representation: a-3d, a-d, a+d, a+3d Common difference here is 2d = l
Core Logic

Let the terms α₁, α₂, α₃, α₄ be a - 3d, a - d, a + d, a + 3d.

Sum of terms = 48:

4a = 48 a = 12
Step 1: Product Condition

We are given α₁α₂α₃α₄ + l⁴ = 361. Since the common difference is l = 2d, l⁴ = 16d⁴.

(a - 3d)(a - d)(a + d)(a + 3d) + 16d⁴ = 361 (a² - 9d²)(a² - d²) + 16d⁴ = 361

Substitute a = 12 (a² = 144):

(144 - 9d²)(144 - d²) + 16d⁴ = 361 20736 - 144d² - 1296d² + 9d⁴ + 16d⁴ = 361 25d⁴ - 1440d² + 20736 = 361
Step 2: Factoring the Quartic

Notice that 25d⁴ - 1440d² + 20736 = (5d² - 144)².

(5d² - 144)² = 361 = 19² 5d² - 144 = ± 19

Case 1: 5d² = 144 + 19 = 163 d² = (163)/(5) (Rejected, as d would not yield integer common differences).

Case 2: 5d² = 144 - 19 = 125 d² = 25 d = ± 5.

This gives common difference l = 2d = 10, which is an integer. Thus, d=5 is valid.

Step 3: Calculating the Largest Term

The largest term of the A.P. is a + 3d:

α₄ = 12 + 3(5) = 12 + 15 = 27
Pattern Recognition

The product of four symmetrically spaced A.P. terms (a-3d)(a-d)(a+d)(a+3d) + (2d)⁴ strictly simplifies to a perfect square: (a² - 5d²)². Knowing this identity instantly skips the heavy expansion algebra.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)