PROGRESSIONS

Sequence of Numbers:-
A set of numbers arranged in a definite order
according to some definite rule is said to form a
sequence or a progressions. The successive
numbers in a program are called its terms. For
example,
(i) 1,3,5,…….., 2n-1,…..
(ii) 2,4,8,16,……,2n,…..
(iii) 1/2, 1/5, 1/8,……..,1/(3n-1),…….
are progressions.
 Types of Progression
(i) Arithmetic Progression (A.P.)
(ii) Geometric Progression (G.P.)
(iii) Harmonic Progression (H.P.)

(i) Arithmetic Progression (A.P.):-It is a sequence of numbers in

which each term, after the first is obtained by adding to the
preceeding term a constant number. This constant number is
called the common difference. In other words,
(Any Term) – (Previous Term) = Constant
And that the Common Difference may be +ive or –ive.
For example:-
(i) 2,4,6,8,…………………….
6 – 4 = 2, so common difference = 2
(ii) 1,4,7,10,…………………...
10 – 7 =3, so common difference =3
(iii) 3,1,-1,-3,………………….
-1 – 1= - 2, so common difference = - 2
are in A.P.
We denote the first term in an A.P. by ‘a’ and the common difference
by ‘d’. Then the successive terms of the A.P. are
a, a +d , a+2d, a+3d,………………..
Suppose, Ist term = T1= a = a+0.d
IInd term= T2 = a + d = a + 1.d
IIIrd term= T3 = a + 2d = a +2 .d
And so on. Therefore,
nth trem =Tn = a+(n-1) d
Sum of the first ‘n’ terms of an A.P.:-
The sum of the first ‘n’ terms of the A.P. a, a+d, a+2d, …..,
a + (n-1)d can be obtained by the formula
Sn= n/2 [ 2a+ (n-1)d]
Or = n/2 [a + l ]
Where l= last term = a + (n-1)d.
Example 1:- Find the sum of first 15 terms of an A.P. 2,5,8,11,…….
Solun:- Given that in A.P., a =2, d= 5-2=3, n=15.
Now the sum of the first 15 terms
Sn=n/2 [ 2a + (n-1)d]
S15 = 15/2 [ 2*2 +(15-1) 3]=345
Therefore, the sum of the first 15 terms of an A.P. is 345.
Exercise:-
Q1. Find the sum of the series 3+7+11+…. to 40
terms.
Q2. If the 3rd term and 6th terms of an A.P. are 7 and
13 respectively. Find the first term and the common
difference and hence find the sum of first 30 terms.
 Geometric Progression
Geometric Progression (G.P.):- It is a sequence of numbers in
which each term, after the first, is obtained on multiplying
the preceeding term by a constant number. The constant
number is called the common ratio. In other words,
(Any Term) / (Previous Term) = Constant
For example:
(i) 1, ½, ¼ ,…….; so common ratio = ½
(ii) 3,9,27,……….; so common ratio = 9/3=3
The first term in a G.P. is denoted by ‘a’ and the common
ratio by ‘r’, then the successive terms of the G.P. are
a, ar, ar2, ar3,…………..
which is known as Standard G.P..
Similarly, the nth term = arn-1.
Now, Sum of the Ist ‘n’ terms of G.P.:-
Sn= (a (1-rn))/(1-r) when r < 1
and Sn = (a (rn-1))/(r-1) when r > 1
Example 2:- Find the sum of the first eight terms of the
sequence 3,9, 27, 81,……..
Solun : Here given that a=3, r = 9/3=3, n=8;
We have Sn = (a (rn-1))/(r-1)
Therefore S8= (3(38-1))/(3-1)=9840.
Exercise:-
Q1. Find the 7th term and the sum of the first 7 terms of
the sequence 9, -6, 4, -8/3,……..
Q2. In a G.P., the common ratio is 2 and the sum of the
first 10 terms is 2046. Find the first term.