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Sequences and Series appeared 55 times across 3 years — 6.4% of Mathematics. This question is from Recurrence Relations and Summation.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 17 24 14 55

Let < aₙ > be a sequence such that a₀ = 0, a₁ = (1)/(2) and 2an + 2 = 5an + 1 - 3aₙ, n = 0, 1, 2, 3,. Then Σk = 1¹⁰⁰ ak is equal to:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Characteristic equation method for standard second-order linear homogeneous recurrence updates:

2x² - 5x + 3 = 0
Core Logic

Solving the characteristic equation gives roots x = 1 and x = (3)/(2). The general solution takes the form:

aₙ = A(1)ⁿ + B((3)/(2))ⁿ
Step 1: Evaluating Sequence Parameters

Using boundary conditions: For n = 0 A + B = 0 For n = 1 A + (3)/(2)B = (1)/(2)

Solving this simple linear system gives B = 1 and A = -1. Thus, the explicit sequence formula is:

aₙ = -1 + ((3)/(2))ⁿ
Step 2: Summing the Target Range
Σk = 1¹⁰⁰ ak = Σk = 1¹⁰⁰ (-1) + Σk = 1¹⁰⁰ ((3)/(2))^k = -100 + (3)/(2)[((3)/(2))¹⁰⁰ - 1](3)/(2) - 1 = -100 + 3[((3)/(2))¹⁰⁰ - 1] = 3a₁₀₀ - 100
Pattern Recognition

Characteristic roots directly decouple second-order linear loop progressions into basic combinations of clean geometric progressions.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Sequences and Series

More Sequences and Series Previous-Year Questions — Page 8

Q59 jee_main_2025_24_jan_evening Arithmetic Progression Sum
In an arithmetic progression, if S₄₀=1030 and S₁₂=57, then S₃₀-S₁₀ is equal to:
  • A. 510
  • B. 515
  • C. 525
  • D. 505

Solution

Related Formula

Sum of first n terms of an Arithmetic Progression:

Sₙ = (n)/(2)[2a + (n-1)d]
Core Logic

Set up linear expressions for the given sums :

S₄₀ = (40)/(2)[2a + 39d] = 1030 ⇒ 2a + 39d = 51.5 S₁₂ = (12)/(2)[2a + 11d] = 57 ⇒ 2a + 11d = 9.5
Step 1: Solve for a and d

Subtract the second equation from the first :

(2a + 39d) - (2a + 11d) = 51.5 - 9.5 28d = 42 ⇒ d = (42)/(28) = (3)/(2) = 1.5

Substitute d = 1.5 back to find a:

2a + 11(1.5) = 9.5 ⇒ 2a + 16.5 = 9.5 ⇒ 2a = -7 ⇒ a = -3.5
Step 2: Evaluate S₃₀ - S₁₀

Write out the formula for the target subtraction :

S₃₀ - S₁₀ = (30)/(2)[2a + 29d] - (10)/(2)[2a + 9d] = 15(2a + 29d) - 5(2a + 9d) = 30a + 435d - 10a - 45d = 20a + 390d

Substitute the values of a and d :

= 20(-3.5) + 390(1.5) = -70 + 585 = 515
Pattern Recognition

Notice that S₃₀ - S₁₀ represents the sum of terms from T₁₁ to T₃₀, which can also be formulated as 20 × A20.5, saving algebraic steps if calculated symmetrically.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

Q60 jee_main_2025_24_jan_evening Arithmetico-Geometric Progression
If 7=5+(1)/(7)(5+α)+ 17²(5+2α)+ 17³(5+3α)+ ∞, then the value of α is:
  • A. 1
  • B. (6)/(7)
  • C. 6
  • D. (1)/(7)

Solution

Related Formula

Sum of an infinite geometric progression:

S∞ = (a)/(1-r) for |r| < 1
Core Logic

The given expression is an infinite Arithmetico-Geometric Progression (AGP) :

S = 5 + (5+α)/(7) + (5+2α)/(7²) + (5+3α)/(7³) + ∞
Step 1: Shift and Subtract

Multiply the equation by the common ratio (1)/(7) and shift it by one position :

(1)/(7)S = (5)/(7) + (5+α)/(7²) + (5+2α)/(7³) + ∞

Subtract this from the original equation:

S - (1)/(7)S = 5 + ((5+α-5)/(7)) + ((5+2α-(5+α))/(7²)) + (6)/(7)S = 5 + (α)/(7) + (α)/(7²) + (α)/(7³) +
Step 2: Sum the Infinite Geometric Series

Apply the infinite GP formula to the terms involving α :

(6)/(7)S = 5 + (α)/(7)((1)/(1 - (1)/(7))) = 5 + (α)/(7)((7)/(6)) = 5 + (α)/(6)

Given that S = 7 :

(6)/(7)(7) = 5 + (α)/(6) ⇒ 6 = 5 + (α)/(6) 1 = (α)/(6) ⇒ α = 6
Pattern Recognition

Standard trick for infinite AGPs: Multiply by the common ratio r, shift, and subtract to condense the arithmetic progression component into a straightforward infinite geometric progression.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

Q54 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Sum to n terms of Special Series
Let Sₙ = (1)/(2) + (1)/(6) + (1)/(12) + (1)/(20) + up to n terms. If the sum of the first six terms of an A.P. with first term -p and common difference p is 2026S₂₀₂₅, then the absolute difference between 20th and 15th terms of the A.P. is :
  • A. 25
  • B. 90
  • C. 20
  • D. 45

Solution

Related Formula

The general term for the provided series is:

Tk = (1)/(k(k+1)) = (1)/(k) - (1)/(k+1)

This sets up a standard telescoping summation sequence.

Core Logic

Express the sum S₂₀₂₅ via telescoping fractions:

S₂₀₂₅ = Σk=1²⁰²⁵ ( (1)/(k) - (1)/(k+1) ) = (1 - (1)/(2)) + ((1)/(2) - (1)/(3)) + + ((1)/(2025) - (1)/(2026)) S₂₀₂₅ = 1 - (1)/(2026) = (2025)/(2026)
Step 1: Compute the boundary expression value

Substitute S₂₀₂₅ into the expression value:

2026 · S₂₀₂₅ = √(2026 · (2025)/(2026)) = √(2025) = 45
Step 2: Apply Arithmetic Progression Summation

The sum of the first 6 terms of the A.P. with a = -p and d = p is equal to 45:

Σ₆ = (6)/(2) [2a + (6-1)d] = 45 3 [2(-p) + 5p] = 45 3 [3p] = 45 9p = 45 p = 5
Step 3: Calculate target absolute term difference

The absolute difference between the 20th and 15th terms of any A.P. depends strictly on the common difference:

|A₂₀ - A₁₅| = |(a + 19p) - (a + 14p)| = 5p

5p = 5(5) = 25

Pattern Recognition

The series sequence (1)/(2) + (1)/(6) + (1)/(12) + is the well-known telescoping series Σ (1)/(n(n+1)). Its sum to n terms is identically given by (n)/(n+1) without requiring manual re-derivation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

Q63 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Telescopic Series Summation
For positive integers n, if 4aₙ=(n²+5n+6) and Sₙ=Σk=1ⁿ( 1ak) then the value of 507 S₂₀₂₅ is:
  • A. 540
  • B. 1350
  • C. 675
  • D. 135

Solution

Related Formula

Telescopic series decomposition via method of differences:

(1)/((k+2)(k+3)) = (1)/(k+2) - (1)/(k+3)
Core Logic

Given:

aₙ = (n²+5n+6)/(4) = ((n+2)(n+3))/(4)

Therefore, the reciprocal term is:

(1)/(ak) = (4)/((k+2)(k+3)) = 4 [ (1)/(k+2) - (1)/(k+3) ]
Step 1: Compute the Partial Sum
Sₙ = Σk=1ⁿ (1)/(ak) = 4 Σk=1ⁿ ( (1)/(k+2) - (1)/(k+3) )

Expanding the sum terms:

Sₙ = 4 [ ((1)/(3) - (1)/(4)) + ((1)/(4) - (1)/(5)) + + ((1)/(n+2) - (1)/(n+3)) ]

All intermediate terms cancel out:

Sₙ = 4 [ (1)/(3) - (1)/(n+3) ] = 4 [ (n+3 - 3)/(3(n+3)) ] = (4n)/(3(n+3))
Step 2: Calculate for n = 2025

For n = 2025:

S₂₀₂₅ = (4 × 2025)/(3 × (2025 + 3)) = (4 × 2025)/(3 × 2028)

We need to find 507 × S₂₀₂₅:

507 × S₂₀₂₅ = 507 × (4 × 2025)/(3 × 2028)

Notice that 2028 = 4 × 507:

507 × S₂₀₂₅ = 507 × (4 × 2025)/(3 × (4 × 507)) = (2025)/(3) = 675
Pattern Recognition

Always look for arithmetic factor groupings at the end of large number sequence questions in JEE. Here recognizing 2028 = 4 × 507 avoids large multi-digit multiplication.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

Q73 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Arithmetic Progression Applications
The interior angles of a polygon with n sides, are in an A.P. with common difference 6° If the largest interior angle of the polygon is 219°, then n is equal to
Numerical Answer. Answer: 20 to 20

Solution

Related Formula

Sum of interior angles of an n-sided polygon:

Sₙ = (n - 2) × 180^°

Sum of an Arithmetic Progression:

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

The angles form an AP with common difference d = 6^°. The largest angle is the last term: Tₙ = 219^°.

a + (n-1)6 = 219 a = 219 - 6n + 6 = 225 - 6n
Step 1: Set up the sum equation

Equating the two forms for the sum of angles:

(n)/(2) [ 2a + (n-1)6 ] = (n - 2) × 180

Substitute a = 225 - 6n:

(n)/(2) [ 2(225 - 6n) + 6n - 6 ] = 180n - 360 (n)/(2) [ 450 - 12n + 6n - 6 ] = 180n - 360 (n)/(2) [ 444 - 6n ] = 180n - 360 n(222 - 3n) = 180n - 360 222n - 3n² = 180n - 360 3n² - 42n - 360 = 0
Step 2: Solve the Quadratic Equation

Divide by 3:

n² - 14n - 120 = 0 (n - 20)(n + 6) = 0

Since number of sides n must be positive, n = 20.

Pattern Recognition

Always remember that any interior angle of a convex polygon must be less than 180^°. Let's check the smallest angle for n=20: a = 225 - 120 = 105^°, which is completely valid.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Sequences and Series

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