Progressions
Sequence and Series
A sequence is an arrangement of a number in a definite order according to some rule. A sequence containing a finite number of terms is called a finite sequence. Let a1, a2, a3, ... be the sequence, then the sum expressed as a1+a2+a3+ ... is called series.
Progression
A sequence of numbers that progress in a definite order according to certain definite rule is called a progression. There are two common types of progression:
- AP
- GP
Arithmetic Progression (AP)
In an AP, each term of a progression differs from its preceding term by a constant. This constant difference is called the common difference of the AP.
The general form of an AP is: a, a+d, a+2d, a+3d, ...
1. The nth term of AP: Tn = a + (n-1)d
2. The sum of n terms of AP: Sn = n/2[2a+(n-1)d] = n/2[a+l]
3. If three numbers are in arithmetic progression, the middle number is called the arithmetic mean of the other two terms.
Arithmetic Mean, b = (a+c)/2
4. If three terms are in AP, then they can be taken as (a – d), a, (a + d).
Geometric Progression (GP)
In a GP, every term bears a constant ratio with ts preceding term. This constant factor is called the common ratio.
The general form of a GP is: a, ar, ar2, ar3, ...
1. Tn = arn-1
2. Sum of n terms: Sn = a(1-rn)/1-r
3. For a decreasing geometric progression the sum to infinite number of terms is
S∞ = a/(1-r)
4. If three numbers are in geometric progression, the middle number is called the geometric mean of the other two terms.
Geometric Mean, b = √(ac)
5. If three numbers are in GP, then they can be taken as a/r, a, ar.
Harmonic Progression (HP)
If the reciprocals of the terms of a series form an arithmetic progression, then the series is called a harmonic progression.
If a, b, c are in harmonic progression, then b = 2ac/(a+c) where b is the harmonic mean.
Sum of Natural Series
The sum of the first n natural numbers = n(n+1)/2
The sum of the square of the first n natural numbers = (n)(n+1)(2n+1)/6
The sum of the cubes of the first n natural numbers = n2(n+1)2/4
The sum of first n even numbers = n(n + 1)
The sum of first n odd numbers = n2