Geometric Progression

A sequence is said to be in Geometric Progression, if the ratio between any

two adjacent numbers in the sequence is constant (non zero). This constant
is said to be common ratio (c.r.)
e.g. 1, 2, 4, 8 ..........

c.r. = 2

1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, ..

c.r. =1/2

1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4,

c.r. = 2

In general
a, ar, ar2, ar3, , a rn1
By close inspection of the above series we can say the n-th term of GP will
be given by
tn = arn1

Sum of a geometric progression

Now, let us try to find out the sum of the first n terms of a G.P.
Sn = a + ar + ar2 ++ arn1
(6)
Multiplying both sides by r, we get,
rSn = ar + ar2 ++ arn1 + arn
(7)
Subtracting (7) from (6), we have
Sn rSn = a arn
or, Sn = a(1rr)/(1r)
(8)
From equation (8) sum of n terms of a G.P.
Sn = a(1rr)/(1r)
Basically we have to find out the value of particular case when, n tends to
infinity.

If we take any value of |r| greater than 1 then value of rn when n will
tend to infinite. Hence value of S will also tend to infinite. If we take of |r|
less than rn when n will tend to zero. (take any number greater than 1
multiply it by itself several time. Are you getting convinced that it will tend
to infinity. Do the same exercise with one another number less than 1).
Thus S = a/1r for |r| < 1

(9)

Enquiry : What happens when any real number can be add subtract, multiply and divides
to each term of a geometric series?
1.
Multiplication/Division by a constant number to each term of a G.P.
also results a G.P.
Suppose a1, a2, a3, , an are in G.P.
then ka1, ka2, ka3, , kan and
a1/k, a2/k, ... ... ... an/k will also be in G.P.
Where k ? R and k 0.
2.

Multiplication/Division of two G.P.s also results a G.P.

Suppose a1, a2, a3, , an
and b1, b2, b3, , bn are two G.P.
then a1b1, a2b2, a3b3, , anbn
then a1/b2, a2/b2, ... ... ..., an/bn will also be in G.P.

3.

Reversing the order of a G.P.s also results a G.P.

Suppose a1, a2, a3, , an are in G.P.
then an, an1, an1, , a3, a2, a1 will also be in G.P.

4.

Taking the inverse of a G.P. also results a G.P.

Suppose a1, a2, a3, , an are in G.P.
then 1/a1, 1/a2, 1/a , 1/an will also be in G.P.

Note:
Students are suggested to assume the known variable related to geometric
progression in following way.
Three number in G.P. /, ,
Four number in G.P. /3, , , 3

c.r =
c.r. = 2

Five numbers in G.P. . . 2 c.r. =

Summary of Important Notes:
If each term of a G.P. is multiplied (or divided) by a fixed non-zero
constant, then the resulting sequence is also a G.P. with same ratio as that
of the given G.P.
If each term of a G.P. (with common ratio r) is raised to the power k, then
the resulting sequence is also a G.P. with common ratio rk.
If a1, a2, a3, , b1, b2, b3, are two G.P.s with common ratios r and r
respectively then the sequence a1b1, a2b2, a3b3, is also a G.P. with
common ratio rr.
If we have to take three terms in a G.P., it is convenient to take them as
a/r, a, ar. In general, we take a/rk, a/rk1, , a, ar, , ark in case we have to
take (2k + 1) terms in a G.P.
If we have to take four terms in a G.P., it is convenient to take them as
a/r3, a/r, ar, ar3. In general, we take a/r2k1, a/r2k3, ... ... ... a/r, ar, ,
ar2k1, in case we have to take 2k terms in a G.P.
If a1, a2, , an are in G.P., then a1an = a2an1 = a3an2 =
If a1, a2, a3, is a G.P. (each a1 > 0), then loga1, loga2, loga3 is an
A.P. The converse is also true.

Geometric mean between two numbers

If three numbers are in G.P. then middle one is said to be geometric mean
(GM) of two others.
Let, G be the geometric mean between two number a and b
So, a G b are in G.P.
G/a = b/G.
or,

G2 = ab
G =ab

Similarly we can find two geometric means between two given numbers a
and b.

Let a, G1, G2, b are in G.P.

tn = a rn1
or b/a = r3
r =(b/a)1/3
G1 = ar2 = a (b/a)1/3 = a1/3 b2/3
Geometric Mean(s)
If three terms are in G.P., then the middle term is called the geometric
mean (G.M.) between the two. So if a, b, c are in G.P., then b = ac is the
geometric mean of a and c.
If a1, a2, , an are non-zero positive numbers, then their G.M.(G) is given
by G = (a1a2a3, , an)1/n. If G1, G2, Gn are n geometric means between
and a and b then a, G1, G2, , Gn b will be a G.P. Here b = arn+1.
r = n+1b/a G1 = an+1b/a, G2 = a(n+1b/a)2,, Gn = a(n+1b/a)n.

Solved examples based on GP

Solved examples :
Illustration:
The 7th term of a G.P. is 8 times the 4th term. Find the G.P. when its 5th term
is 48.
Solution:
Given that t7 = 8t4 ar6 = 8ar3
r3 = 8 = 23 r = 2.
Also t5 = 48 ar4 = 48 or 16a = 48 a = 3.
Hence the required G.P. is 3, 6, 12, 24
Illustration:

Does there exists a G.P. containing 27, 8 and 12 as three of its terms? If it
exists, how many such progressions are possible?
Solution:
Let 8 be the mth, 12 the nth and 27 be the tth terms of a G.P. whose first
term is A and common ratio is R.
Then 8 = ARm1, 12 = ARn1, 27 = ARt1
8/12 = Rmn = 2/3,
12/27 = Rnt = (2/3)2,
8/27 = Rmt =(2/3)3
2m 2n = n t
and
3m 3n = m t
2m + t = 3n
and
2m + t = 3n
2m+t/3 = n.
There are infinite sets of values of m, n, t which satisfy this relation. For
example, take m = 1, then 2+t/3 = n = k n = k, t = 3k 2. By giving
different values to k we get integral values of n and t. Hence there are
infinite numbers of G.P.s whose terms may be 27, 8, 12 (not consecutive).
Illustration:
In a four term series if first three are in G.P. and last three are in A.P. with
common different 6 and last terms is equal to the first term then find all four
terms in series.
Solution:
This is very tricky question. If you read question carefully then it is clear that
we have to start with A.P. because common difference is given.
Let the numbers be a + 6, a6, a, a+6 now first three are in G.P. is (a6)2 =
a(a+6) or, a2 12a + 36 = a2 therefore numbers are 8, 4, 2, 8.

Arithmetic-Geometric Progression
Suppose a1, a2, a3, . is an A.P. and b1, b2, b3, is a G.P. Then the
sequence a1b1, a2b2, , anbn is said to be an arithmetic-geometric
progression. An arithmetic-geometric progression is of the form ab, (a+d)br,
(a + 2d)br2, (a + 3d)br3,
Its sum Sn to n terms is given by

Sn = ab + (a+d)br + (a+2d)br2 ++ (a+(n2)d)brn2 + (a+(n1)d)brn1.

Multiply both sides by r, so that
rSn = abr+(a+d)br2++(a+(n3)d)brn2+(a+(n2)d)brn1+(a+(n1)d)brn.
Subtracting we get
(1 r)Sn = ab + dbr + dbr2 ++ dbrn2 + dbrn1 (a+(n1)d)brn.
= ab + dbr(1rn1)/(1r) (a+(n1)d)brn
Sn = ab/1r + dbr(1rn1)/(1r)2 (a+(n1)d)brn/1r.
If 1 < r < 1, the sum of the infinite number of terms of the progression is
limn Sn = ab/1r + dbr/(1r)2.

Arithmetic Geometric Progression Solved Examples

Illustration:
Find the sum of series 1 . 2 + 2 . 22 + 3 . 22 ++ 100 . 2100.
Solution:
Let S = 1.2 + 2.22 + 3.23 ++ 100.2100
2S = 1.22 + 2.23 ++ 99.2100 + 100.2101
S = 1.2 + 1.22 + 1.23 ++ 1.2100 100.2101
S = 1.2 (21001/21) 100.2101
S = 2101 + 2 + 100.2101 = 199.2101 + 2.
Illustration:
Let r = 1/2, consider n (1/2)r for increasing value of n i.e.
Solution:
n = 1 : 1. (1/2)1 = 1/2 = 0.5

(1)
(2)

n = 2 : 2 (1/2)2 = 1/2 = 0.5

n = 3 : 3 (1/2)3 = 0.375
n = 10 : 10 (1/2)10 = 0.00976, and so on
Thus we observe that as n
n rn 0 for |r| < 1.
Illustration:
Evaluate 1 + 4/5 + 7/52 + 10/53 + to infinite terms.
Solution:
Let S = 1 + 4/5 + 7/52 + 10/53 +
1/5 S = 1/5 + 4/52 + 7/53
Subtracting
(11/5) S = 1 + 3/5 + 3/52 + 3/53 +
4/5 S = 1/13/5
(? It is infinite G.P.)
S =25/8
Illustration:
Let t1, t2, t3, , tm1, tm, tm+1, be a sequence so that
(i)
tm+1/tm = tm/tm1 constant
then tp = (t1)rp1

(r)

(ii) tm+1/tm = tm/tm1 = constant

(r)
then tp = constant 1 + (constant 2) rp1
(iii) If the difference of difference of terms are in G.P. then
tp = a + bp + crp1, where r is the common ratio.
Illustration:
7. 14. 33. 88. 251. 738

Note:

324/108 = 108/36 = 36/12 = 3

tp = a + bp + c 3p1
p=1 t1 = 7 = a + b + c
p=2

t2 = 14 = a + 2b + 3c

p=3

t3 = 33 = a + 3b + 9c

Solving, we get a = 3, b = 1, c = 3

tp = 3 + p + 3. (3p1)