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Sequences & Series
Sequences and Series
Hard

Question

Let the first three terms 2, p and q, with q2q \neq 2, of a G.P. be respectively the 7th ,8th 7^{\text {th }}, 8^{\text {th }} and 13th 13^{\text {th }} terms of an A.P. If the 5th 5^{\text {th }} term of the G.P. is the nth n^{\text {th }} term of the A.P., then nn is equal to:

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Solution

Key Concepts and Formulas

  • Arithmetic Progression (AP): The nthn^{th} term is given by Tn=a+(n1)dT_n = a + (n-1)d, where aa is the first term and dd is the common difference.
  • Geometric Progression (GP): The nthn^{th} term is given by Tn=arn1T_n = ar^{n-1}, where aa is the first term and rr is the common ratio.
  • Relationship between terms in an AP: Tm=Tk+(mk)dT_m = T_k + (m-k)d for any terms TmT_m and TkT_k.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Define the terms of the GP and establish relationships. Let the first three terms of the GP be 2,p,q2, p, q. Let the common ratio of the GP be rr. Then, p=2rp = 2r and q=2r2q = 2r^2. We are given that q2q \neq 2.

Step 2: Relate the GP terms to the AP terms. Let the AP have a first term AA and a common difference DD. We are given that: The 7th7^{th} term of the AP is 22: T7=A+(71)D=A+6D=2T_7 = A + (7-1)D = A + 6D = 2. The 8th8^{th} term of the AP is pp: T8=A+(81)D=A+7D=p=2rT_8 = A + (8-1)D = A + 7D = p = 2r. The 13th13^{th} term of the AP is qq: T13=A+(131)D=A+12D=q=2r2T_{13} = A + (13-1)D = A + 12D = q = 2r^2.

Step 3: Find the common difference of the AP in terms of rr. We can find the common difference DD of the AP using the relationship between consecutive terms: D=T8T7=(A+7D)(A+6D)=2r2D = T_8 - T_7 = (A + 7D) - (A + 6D) = 2r - 2. So, D=2(r1)D = 2(r-1).

Step 4: Express the 13th13^{th} term of the AP using T7T_7 and DD. We know that T13=T7+(137)D=T7+6DT_{13} = T_7 + (13-7)D = T_7 + 6D. Substitute the given values: 2r2=2+6(2(r1))2r^2 = 2 + 6(2(r-1)) 2r2=2+12(r1)2r^2 = 2 + 12(r-1) 2r2=2+12r122r^2 = 2 + 12r - 12 2r2=12r102r^2 = 12r - 10

Step 5: Solve the quadratic equation for the common ratio rr. Divide the equation by 2: r2=6r5r^2 = 6r - 5 Rearrange into a standard quadratic form: r26r+5=0r^2 - 6r + 5 = 0 Factor the quadratic equation: (r1)(r5)=0(r-1)(r-5) = 0 The possible values for rr are r=1r=1 or r=5r=5.

Step 6: Use the condition q2q \neq 2 to select the correct value of rr. We are given that q2q \neq 2. Since q=2r2q = 2r^2: If r=1r=1, then q=2(1)2=2q = 2(1)^2 = 2. This contradicts the given condition. Therefore, we must have r=5r=5.

Step 7: Calculate the common difference DD of the AP. Using D=2(r1)D = 2(r-1) and r=5r=5: D=2(51)=2(4)=8D = 2(5-1) = 2(4) = 8.

Step 8: Calculate the first term AA of the AP. We know T7=A+6D=2T_7 = A + 6D = 2. Substitute D=8D=8: A+6(8)=2A + 6(8) = 2 A+48=2A + 48 = 2 A=248=46A = 2 - 48 = -46.

Step 9: Calculate the 5th5^{th} term of the GP. The 5th5^{th} term of the GP is given by 2r51=2r42r^{5-1} = 2r^4. Substitute r=5r=5: 5th5^{th} term of GP =2(54)=2(625)=1250= 2(5^4) = 2(625) = 1250.

Step 10: Find the value of nn such that the nthn^{th} term of the AP is equal to the 5th5^{th} term of the GP. We need to find nn such that Tn=A+(n1)D=1250T_n = A + (n-1)D = 1250. Substitute A=46A=-46 and D=8D=8: 46+(n1)8=1250-46 + (n-1)8 = 1250 (n1)8=1250+46(n-1)8 = 1250 + 46 (n1)8=1296(n-1)8 = 1296 n1=12968n-1 = \frac{1296}{8} n1=162n-1 = 162 n=162+1=163n = 162 + 1 = 163.

Common Mistakes & Tips

  • Forgetting the condition q2q \neq 2: This condition is crucial for eliminating the extraneous solution for rr. Always check all given constraints.
  • Algebraic errors in solving the quadratic equation: Double-check your factorization or the quadratic formula application.
  • Confusing the first term of the GP with the first term of the AP: Clearly distinguish between the first term of the GP (which is 2) and the first term of the AP (which we calculated as AA).

Summary The problem involves linking an arithmetic progression and a geometric progression. We used the given terms to establish relationships between their respective first terms and common ratios/differences. By solving the resulting equations, we found the common ratio of the GP and the common difference and first term of the AP. Finally, we calculated the 5th5^{th} term of the GP and determined which term in the AP it corresponds to by solving for nn.

The final answer is 163\boxed{163}.

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