Sequences and series

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Arithmetic progressions

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The difference between any two terms of the series is a constant, called common difference.
For example,

2,5,8,11,14,...
1,2,3,4,...
-10,-5,0,5,10,...
If the first term is denoted by a and common difference by d.
then series is given by:
a,a+d,a+2d,...
Therefore the nthis given by a+(n-1)d

Finding the sum of an arithmetic progression

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Let the sum be denoted by S
 
also  
Adding these we get
  n times
Therefore  


Geometric progressions

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Ratio of any two terms of the series is constant.
If first term is denoted by a, and common ratio by r.
Then the series is given by:-
a,ar,ar2,...ar(n-1)
Example:-
1,2,4,8,16,...
1,-2,4,-8,16,...(note here that r is negative)

Finding the sum of a geometric progression

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Let the sum be denoted by S
S=a+ar+... (i)
Multiply the equation by r.
rS=ar+ar2... (ii)
Subtract (ii) from (i)
S(1-r)=a-arn
This gives
S=a(1-rn)/(1-r)
(for r not equal to 1)

When r=1, S=a+a+a+...(to n terms) S=na