T A M P I N E S J U N I O R C O L L E G E

M A T H E M A T I C S H 2
C H A P T E R 5
A R I T H M E T I C P R O G R E S S I O N
A N D G E O M E T R I C P R O G R E S S I O N

1. Introduction
Two special types of series are the arithmetic progression and the geometric progression,
which we shall examine closely in this chapter.

2. Arithmetic Progression
What pattern can you observe from the following sequences?
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
(b) 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, -6, …
(c) 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, …
(d) -1.5, -2, -2.5, -3, -3.5, -4, -4.5, -5
The above sequences are examples of an arithmetic progression.

An arithmetic progression (AP) is a sequence of numbers in which each term (except for the
first term) is obtained from the previous term by adding a constant quantity.
This constant quantity is called the common difference and it is usually denoted by d.
The first term of an AP is usually denoted by a.

We denote the nth term of an AP by Tn .

It would be useful for us to have a formula for Tn .

Example 2.1
A man deposits $100 at the start of the year in a savings account. He then decides not to
deposit any more money and not to draw out any money from this account. Simple interest is
added to the account at the end of each year at a fixed rate of 10% of the amount in the
account at the beginning of the first year.
Let the amount (in dollars) in his account at the start of the nth year be Tn .
n Tn
1 100 The recurrence relation is given by

2 100 + 10 = 110 , n ∈ Z+ and T1 = 100 .

3 100 + (2)10 = 120

4 100 + (3)10 = 130 The general term is given by
5 100 + (4)10 = 140 Tn = , n ∈ Z+.
This is an example of an arithmetic progression with first term a = 100 and common
difference d = 10 .
Clearly, Tn = 100 + ( n − 1)10 = a + ( n − 1) d .

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 1

 The nth term of an AP is given by
Tn = a + ( n − 1) d
where a is the first term
and d is the common difference.

Example 2.2
Without the use of a GC, find the 25th term of this arithmetic progression: 3, 7, 11, 15, …

Solution:

Note
If the use of a GC is allowed, can you think of another way to solve the previous example?
[Hint: Generate the AP sequence by using a recurrence relation.]

Example 2.3
The 5th term of an arithmetic progression is 10 and the 15th term is 40. Write down the first 5
terms of the sequence.

Solution:

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 2

3. Sum of first n terms of an AP

Let Sn denote the sum of the first n terms of an AP.

S n = a + [ a + d ] + ... + ⎡⎣ a + ( n − 2 ) d ⎤⎦ + ⎡⎣ a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ -----(1)
Writing this sum in reverse order,
S n = ⎡⎣ a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ + ⎡⎣ a + ( n − 2 ) d ⎤⎦ + ... + [ a + d ] + a -----(2)
Adding (1) and (2) , we have
2S n = ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ + ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ + ... + ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ + ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦
2S n = n ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦
n
S n = ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦ -----(*)
2
n
= ⎡⎣ a + a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦
2
n
= [ a + Tn ] -----(**)
2
where Tn is the the nth term.

The sum of the first n terms of an AP is given by

n
S n = ⎡⎣ 2a + ( n − 1) d ⎤⎦
2
n
= [ a + Tn ]
2
where a is the first term,
d is the common difference
and Tn is the nth term.

Example 3.1
Without the use of a GC, find the sum of all odd multiples of 7 that lie between 50 and 300.

Solution:

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 3

Note
If the use of a GC is allowed, can you think of another way to solve the previous example?
[Hint: Generate the AP sequence by using a recurrence relation. Next, use the “CUMSUM”
function in the GC.]

4. Proving that a sequence is an AP

Consider the sequence: 2, 4, 6, ...

Can we use the following method to show that this is an AP?
T1 = 2 , T2 = 4 , T3 = 6
T2 − T1 = 4 − 2 = 2
T3 − T2 = 6 − 4 = 2
Since the difference between these consecutive terms is a constant, this is an AP.
No, we cannot use the above method to show that this is an AP. If we are given merely a few
terms of the sequence, we can only make a conjecture about the type of sequence. This is
because there may be other possibilities for the type of sequence.

2 ⎡⎛ 1 + 5 ⎞ ⎛ 1− 5 ⎞ ⎤
n +1 n +1

For example, if Tn = ⎢⎜ ⎟ − ⎜ ⎥
5 ⎢⎜⎝ 2 ⎟⎠ ⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⎥ ,
⎣ ⎝ ⎠ ⎦
we would also obtain T1 = 2 , T2 = 4 , T3 = 6 ,
but T4 = 10 , T5 = 16 , T6 = 26 , and so on.
Clearly, this sequence is not an AP. Thus, if we conclude that this sequence is an AP based
on the first few terms of this sequence, we would be drawing a wrong conclusion. This is
actually a modification of the Fibonacci sequence.

Proving an AP
A sequence is called an AP if any pair of its consecutive terms differs by a constant
difference d .

To prove that a sequence is an AP, we have to prove either Tn +1 − Tn = d or Tn − Tn −1 = d .

Example 4.1
The nth term of a progression is np + q and the sum of n terms is denoted by Sn . Given that
the 6th term is 4 times the 2nd term and that S3 = 12 , find the values of p and of q . Express
Sn in terms of n .

Solution:

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 4

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 5
Example 4.2:
A series is given by the formula S n = 2n 2 − 3n , n ≥ 1 .
Find (i) the first term of the series,
(ii) the nth term of the series,
(iii) the sum of the first 2n terms of the series,
(iv) the sum of the next 2n terms of the series.
Prove that the terms of the series form an AP.

Solution

5. Geometric Progression
What pattern can you observe from the following sequences?
(a) 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384
(b) 1, -3, 9, -27, 81, -243, 729, 2187, …
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(c) , , , , , , , ,…
2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256
1 1 1 1 1 1
(d) -9, 3, -1, , − , ,− , ,−
3 9 27 81 243 729
The above sequences are examples of a geometric progression.
A geometric progression (GP) is a sequence of numbers in which each term (except for the
first term) is obtained by multiplying a constant quantity to the previous term.

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 6

This constant quantity is called the common ratio and it is usually denoted by r.
The first term of a GP is usually denoted by a.

We denote the nth term of a GP by Tn .

It would be useful for us to have a formula for Tn .

Example 5.1
A man invests $100 at the start of the year in an investment account. He then decides not to
invest any more money and not to draw out any money from this account. Interest is added to
the account at the end of each year at a fixed rate of 10% of the amount in the account at the
beginning of that year.
Let the amount (in dollars) in his account at the start of the nth year be Tn .
n Tn
1 100 The recurrence relation is given by

2 110 , n ∈ Z+ and T1 = 100 .

100 × = 110
100
3 The general term is given by
Tn = , n ∈ Z+.
4

This is an example of a geometric progression with first term a = 100 and common ratio
110
r= .
100
n −1
⎛ 110 ⎞
Clearly, Tn = 100 × ⎜ ⎟ = ar n −1 .
⎝ 100 ⎠

The nth term of a GP is given by

Tn = ar n −1
where a is the first term,
and r is the common ratio.

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 7

Example 5.2
Find the 20th term of this geometric progression: -9, 3, -1, ...

Solution:

Note
Can you think of another way to solve example 5.2 using the GC?
[Hint: Generate the GP sequence by using a recurrence relation.]

Example 5.3
The 5th term of a geometric progression is 81 and the 8th term is 2187. Write down the first 5
terms of the sequence.

Solution:

6. Sum of first n terms of a GP

Let Sn denote the sum of the first n terms of a GP.

S n = a + ar + ... + ar n − 2 + ar n −1 -----(1)
Multiplying (1) throughout by r,
rS n = ar + ar 2 + ... + ar n −1 + ar n -----(2)

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 8

(2) – (1)
rS n − S n = ar n − a
( r − 1) Sn = a ( r n − 1)
a ( r n − 1)
Sn =
r −1
a ( r n − 1) ( −1)
= ×
r −1 ( −1)
a (1 − r n )
=
1− r

The sum of the first n terms of a GP is given by

a ( r n − 1)
Sn = , r ≠1
r −1
a (1 − r n )
= , r ≠1
1− r
where a is the first term,
and r is the common ratio.

Note:
a ( r n − 1)
(a) If r > 1 , we usually use S n = .
r −1
a (1 − r n )
(b) If r < 1 , we usually use S n = .
1− r
(c) If r = 1 , S n = a144
+ a +244
a + ... +3a = na .
n terms

Example 6.1
Find the nth term of the series 2 + 22 + 222 + 2222 + ... to n terms. Hence or otherwise, find
the sum to n terms of the series.

Solution

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 9

Example 6.2
The positive integers, starting at 1, are grouped into sets containing 1, 2, 4, 8, ... integers, as
indicated below, so that the number of integers in each set after the first is twice the number
of integers in the previous set are bracketed as follows:
(1); (2, 3); (4 , 5, 6, 7); (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15); ...
(i) Write down expressions, in terms of r, for
(a) the number of integers in the rth set,
(b) the first integer in the rth set,
(c) the last integer in the rth set.
(ii) Given that the integer 1 000 000 occurs in the rth set, find the value of r.
(iii) The sum of all the integers in the 20th set is denoted by S, and the sum of all the
integers in all of the first 20 sets is denoted by T. Show that S may be expressed as
218 ( 3 × 219 − 1) , and evaluate , correct to 4 decimal places.
T
[J93/I/13]
S

Solution

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 10

7. Proving that a sequence is a GP
A sequence is called a GP if the ratio of any 2 consecutive terms is a constant r,

Tn +1 T
To prove that a sequence is a GP, we have to prove = r or n = r .
Tn Tn −1

Example 7.1
2n +1
The sum of the first n terms of a series is given by the expression 6 − . By finding an
3n −1
expression for the nth term of the series, or otherwise, show that this is a geometric series,
and state the values of the first term and the common ratio. [J81/I/1]

Solution:

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 11

8. Sum to Infinity of an infinite GP
In this section, we shall look at how to obtain the sum to infinity of an infinite GP.
There are two ways to do this:
(i) by deducing from the formula of the sum of the first n terms Sn ;
(ii) by using the formula for the sum to infinity.
Example 8.1
1
Consider the infinite geometric series with first term a = 2 and common ratio r = .
2
1 1
2 + 1 + + + ...
2 4

n Tn Sn
1 2 2
2 1 3
3 0.5 3.5
4 0.25 3.75
5 0.125 3.875
6 0.0625 3.9375
7 0.03125 3.96875
8 0.015625 3.984375

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 12

Example 8.2
Consider the infinite geometric series with first term a = 2 and common ratio r = 2 .
1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + ...

n Tn Sn
1 2 2
2 4 6
3 8 14
4 16 30
5 32 62
6 64 126
7 128 254
8 256 510

Formula for Sum to Infinity

Consider the infinite geometric series a + ar + ar 2 + ...
(a) If r < 1 , this infinite geometric series converges to the sum S∞ = lim S n .
n→∞

a , r <1
S∞ =
1− r
(b) If r > 1 , this infinite geometric series diverges.
Hence, its sum to infinity does not exist.

Proof
a ⎡⎣1- r n ⎤⎦
Sn =
1− r
=
a
−
a
1− r 1− r
( rn )
(a) For r < 1 :
As n → ∞ , rn → 0
1− rn → 1
a ⎡⎣1- r n ⎤⎦ a
→
1− r 1− r
a
Sn →
1− r

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 13

 a
Hence the series is convergent and S∞ = lim S n = .
n →∞ 1− r
(b) For r > 1 :
As n → ∞ , rn → ∞
1− rn → ∞
a ⎡⎣1- r n ⎤⎦
→∞
1− r
Sn → ∞
Hence the series is divergent.

Note:
(a) If r = 1 , the series a + a + a + … is divergent, since a ≠ 0.
(b) If r = −1 , the series is a - a + a – a + …
i.e. S1 = a , S 2 = 0 , S3 = a , S 4 = 0 and so on.
Thus Sn does not tend to a finite number.
Hence the series is divergent.

Example 8.3
Determine whether the sum to infinity exists for the following sequence 3, 0.3, 0.03, … . If
so, determine the sum to infinity.

Solution
Since r = 0.1 ,
r = 0.1 < 1
Therefore the sum to infinity exists.
a 3 10
S∞ = = =
1 − r 1 − 0.1 3

Example 8.4
Without the use of a GC, prove that the geometric series
2 3
2x ⎛ 2x ⎞ ⎛ 2x ⎞
1+ +⎜ ⎟ +⎜ ⎟ + ...
is convergent for all real values of x .
3 + x ⎝ 3 + x2 ⎠ ⎝ 3 + x2 ⎠
2

Find the sum to infinity.

Solution

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 14

Example 8.5

Express the recurring decimal 0.1575757... as a fraction in lowest terms.

Solution

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 15

Example 8.6

Find the limiting sum of the following geometric progression:

4 8 16
2− + − + .....
3 9 27
Find the least value of n so that the sum to n terms differs from the limiting sum by less than
0.1.

Solution

9. Series involving Sigma notation

We have learnt how to evaluate simple expressions containing sigma notation in a previous
chapter on sequences and series. In this section, we shall learn how to evaluate such
expressions involving sigma notation.

When evaluating a series expressed in sigma notation, we need to recognise whether constant
series, an arithmetic progression or a geometric progression are involved.

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 16

Example 9.1
n
Find ∑ (1 + 2n − r + 3 ) in terms of n, simplifying your answer.
r =1
r

Solution:

Remarks
n
n ( n + 1)
(i) ∑r =
r =1 2
is the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic progression. This

formula is a very commonly used series found in the formula booklet.

n 3 ( 3n − 1)
(ii) ∑
r =1
3 =
r

2
is the sum of the first n terms of a geometric progression. We have

to obtain this formula on our own.

Example 9.2
n
⎛ 2 r −1 4r ⎞
Sum the series ∑
r =1
⎜2
⎝
+ ⎟.
3 ⎠
Solution:

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 17

Example 9.3

∑ ( 2k + 3k + n )
n
Find in terms of n. [TJC/04/I/9a]
k =0

Solution

Example 9.4

∑ (3r − (r − 1) 2 ).
n −1
Evaluate the following [YJC/04/I/3]
r =1

Solution

Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression 18