Chapter 11

Geometric Progression
Exercise 11.1

1. Find which of the following sequence form a G.P.:

(i) 8, 24, 72, 216, ………

O T IS
(ii) , ,
N A D , , ………

CO N
(iii) 9, 12, 16, 24, ………
Solution:
O UC AA
T IO
PY
(i) Given sequence: 8, 24, 72, 216, ………
Since,
ED PR

= 3, = 3, =3

⇒ = = = ……….. = 3
©

Therefore 8, 24, 72, 216, ……… is a G.P. with common ratio 3.

(ii) Given sequence: , , , , ………
Since,

= , = , =3
D

⇒ = = = ……….. =

Therefore 8, 24, 72, 216 … is a G.P. with common ratio .

(iii) Given sequence: 9, 12, 16, 24, ………
Since,
 = ≠ , given sequence is not a G.P.

2. Find the 9th term of the series: 1, 4, 16, 64, …..

Solution:
It’s seen that, the first term is (a) = 1
And, common ratio(r) = = 4
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
O T IS
N A D
CO N
Thus,
O UC AA
T IO
PY
t9 = (1)(4)9 – 1 = 48 = 65536

3. Find the seventh term of the G.P: 1, √3 3, 3 √3, …..

ED PR

Solution:
It’s seen that, the first term is (a) = 1
©

√
And, common ratio(r) = = √3
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
Thus,
t7 = (1√3)7 – 1 =( √3)6 = 27
D

4. Find the 8th term of the sequence:

, 1 , 3 , ..........
Solution:
The given sequence can be rewritten as,
 , , 3, …..

It’s seen that, the first term is (a) =

And, common ratio(r) = =2

We know that, the general term is

tn = arn – 1
Thus,
t8 =
O T IS
(2)8 – 1 = (2)7 = 3 ×25 = 3 ×32 = 96
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
5. Find the 10th term of the G.P. :
12 ,4 , 1 , .....
ED PR

Solution:
The given sequence can be rewritten as,
©

12, 4, , …..
It’s seen that, the first term is (a) = 12
And, common ratio(r) = =
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
D

Thus,
×
t10 = (12) = (12) = =

6. Find the term of the series:

1, 2, 4, 8, ……..
Solution:
It’s seen that, the first term is (a) = 1
And, common ratio(r) = = 2
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
Thus,
tn = (1)(2)n – 1 = 2n – 1

O T IS
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
ED PR
©
D

Exercise 11.2
1. Which term of the G.P.:
- 10 , , − , … . . "# − ?
√

Solution:
In the given G.P.
First term, a = -10
%

O T IS
√
Common ratio, r = =
N A D & √ '

CO N
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
O UC AA
T IO
PY
So,
+
*
ED PR

tn = (-10)( ) =
√

− = -10 × ( *
√
©

=( *
√
+
=( *
× × × ×√ ×√ ×√ ×√ √

+
( * = ( *
√ √
D

Now, equating the exponents we have

n–1=4
n=5
Thus, the 5th of the given G.P. is
2. The fifth term of a G.P. is 81 and its second term is 24. Find the
geometric progression.
Solution:
Given,
t5 = 81 and t2 = 24
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
So,
t5 = ar5 – 1 = ar4 = 81 …. (1)

O T IS
And,
t2 = ar2 – 1 = ar1 = 24 …. (2)
N A D
CO N
Dividing (1) by (2), we have
O UC AA
T IO
PY
ar4/ ar =

r3 =
ED PR

r=
Using r in (2), we get
©

a( ) = 24
a = 16
Hence, the G.P. is
16, 24, 36, 54, ……
D

3. Fourth and seventh terms of a G.P. are 1/18 and -1/486

respectively. Find the G.P.
Solution:
Given,
t4 = and t7 = -
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
So,
t4 = ar4 – 1 = ar3 = …. (1)
And,
t7 = ar7 – 1 = ar6 = - …. (2)

Dividing (2) by (1), we have

,-
=-
O T IS
N A D
CO N
,-
O UC AA
T IO
PY
r3 = -

r=-
ED PR

Using r in (1), we get

=
©

a=- =-
Hence, the G.P. is
, ) , )
, )
........

........
D

4. If the first and the third terms of a G.P are 2 and 8 respectively,
find its second term.
Solution:
Given,
t1 = 2 and t3 = 8
We know that, the general term is
tn = arn – 1
So,
t1 = ar1 – 1 = a = 2 …. (1)
And,
t3 = ar3 – 1 = ar2 = 8 …. (2)

O T IS
Dividing (2) by (1), we have
,-
N A D
CO N
=
,
O UC AA
r2 = 4 T IO
PY
r=±2
Hence, the 2nd term of the G.P. is
ED PR

When a = 2 and r = 2 is 2(2) = 4

Or when a = 2 and r = -2 is 2(-2) = -4
©

5. The product of 3rd and 8th terms of a G.P. is 243. If its 4th term
is 3, find its 7th term
Solution:
Given,
Product of 3rd and 8th terms of a G.P. is 243
D

The general term of a G.P. with first term a and common ratio r is
given by,
tn = arn – 1
So,
t3 × t8 = ar3 – 1 × ar8 – 1 = ar2 × ar7 = a2r9 = 243
Also given,
t4 = ar4 – 1 = ar3 = 3
Now,
a2r9 = (ar3) ar6 = 243
(3) ar6 = 243
ar6 = 81
ar7 – 1 = 81 = t7
Thus, the 7th term of the G.P is 81.

O T IS
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
ED PR
©
D

Exercise 11.3
1. Find the seventh term from the end of the series: √2, 2, 2√2,
…… , 32
Solution:
Given series: √2, 2, 2√2, …… , 32
Here,
a = √2
r= = √2 And, the last term (l) = 32
√

O T IS
l = tn = arn – 1 = 32
(√2)( √2)n – 1 = 32
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
(√2)n = 32
(√2)n = (2)5 =( √2)10
Equating the exponents, we have
ED PR

n = 10
So, the 7th term from the end is (10 – 7 + 1)th term from the front.
©

i.e. 4th term of the G.P

Hence,
t11 = (√2)( √2)4 – 1 =( √2)( √2)3 =( √2) ×2√2 = 4

2. Find the third term from the end of the G.P.

D

, , , ……., 162
Solution:
Given series: , , , ……., 162
Here,
a = √2
r=
√

= √2
And, the last term (l) = 32
l = tn = arn – 1 = 32
(√2)( √2 )n – 1 = 32
(√2)n = 32

O T IS
(√2)n = (2)5 = (√2)10
Equating the exponents, we have
N A D
CO N
n = 10
O UC AA
T IO
PY
So, the 7th term from the end is (10 – 7 + 1)th term from the front.
i.e. 4th term of the G.P
ED PR

Hence,
t11 =( √2)( √2)4 – 1 =( √2)(√2)3 =( √2) × 2√2 = 4
©

3. Find the G.P. , , , ……, 81; find the product of fourth

term from the beginning and the fourth term from the end.
Solution:
Given G.P. , , , ……, 81
D

0
Here, a = , common ratio (r) = = 3 and l = 81

We know that,
l = tn = arn – 1 = 81
(3)n – 1 = 81
3n – 1 = 81 × 27 = 2187
3n – 1 = 37
n–1=7
n=8
Hence, there are 8 terms in the given G.P.
Now,
4th term from the beginning is t4 and the 4th term from the end is (8 – 4
+ 1) = 5th term (t5)
Thus,

O T IS
the product of t4 and t5 = ar4 – 1 × ar5 – 1 = ar3 ×ar4 = a2r7 =
N A D
CO N
(3)7 = 3
O UC AA
T IO
PY
4. If for a G.P., pth, qth and rth terms are a, b and c respectively;
ED PR

prove that:
(q – r) log a + (r – p) log b + (p – q) log c = 0
Solution:
©

Let’s take the first term of the G.P. to be A and its common ratio be
R.
Then,
pth term = a ⇒ ARp – 1 = a
qth term = b ⇒ ARq – 1 = b
D

rth term = c ⇒ ARp – 1 = c

Now,
12 -
× 3- 4
× 54 2
= (67 4 2 2 -
) × (67 2 )- 4
× (67 - )4 2

=62 - .7 (4 )(2 -)
× 6- 4
.7 (2 )(- 4)
×
= 64 2
.7 (- )(4 2)
 = 62 -:- 4:4 2
×
7 (4 )(2 -):(2 )(- 4):(- )(4 2)

= 6° × 7°
=1
On taking log on both the sides, we get
log ( aq-r × br-p × cp-q ) = log 1
⇒ (q – r)log a + (r – p)log b + (p – q)log c = 0

O T IS
– Hence Proved
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
ED PR
©
D

Exercise 11.4
1. Find the sum of G.P.:
(i) 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + ………. to 12 terms
(ii) 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 +….. to 8 terms.
(iii) 1 – + – + …….. to 9 terms

(iv) 1 – + – + ……… to n terms

;:< ; <

O T IS
(v) +1 + + ......upto n terms
; < ;:<

(vi) √ + +
N A D
CO N
+ to n terms
√ √
O UC AA
T IO
PY
Solution:
(i) Given G.P: 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + ……….
Here,
ED PR

a = 1 and r = = 3 (r > 1)
Number of terms, n = 12
©

Hence,
=(>? – )
Sn =
-

( A – )
⇒ S12 =
D

( – )
=

=
= 265720

(ii) Given G.P: 0.3 + 0.03 + 0.003 + 0.0003 +…..

Here,
a = 0.3 and r = 1/10 = 0.1 (r < 1)
Number of terms, n = 8
Hence,
=(>? – )

O T IS
Sn =
-
N A D .

CO N
⇒ S8 = (0.3)
.
O UC AA
T IO
PY
.
= 0.3
.
.
=
ED PR

= B1 − D
©

(iii) Given G.P: 1 – + – + ……..

Here,
–
a = 1 and r = – = – (| r | < 1)
D

Number of terms, n = 9
Hence,
=(>? – )
Sn =
-
0
( )( –
⇒ S9 =
( – (– ))
 0
( )( –
=

= ×(1+– )

= ×( )

O T IS
(iv) Given G.P: 1 – N A D + + ………

CO N
Here,
O UC AA
T IO = − (| r | < 1)

PY
a = 1 and r =
Number of terms is n
ED PR

Hence,
F
E ( * G
Sn = F
( *
©

F
E ( * G
=
:
F
E ( * G
=
+
= (1 − (− * *
D

=(>? – )
Sn =
-

;:< ; <
(v) Given G.P: = +1 + .... Upto n turm
; < ;:<
Here,
;:<
a=
; <
; <
And r = HIJ = (| r | < 1)
;:<
H)J

Number of terms = n
Hence,
=(>? – )
Sn =
-

O T IS H)J F
N A D
CO N
HIJ
H)J
E (HIJ* G
Sn = H)J F
O UC AA
T IO
(HIJ*

PY
HIJ H)J F
E ( * G
ED PR

H)J HIJ
= HIJ)H)J
HIJ
©

HIJ H)J F
H)J
E (HIJ* G
= H
HIJ

H)J F
(;:<) E (HIJ* G
=
<(; <)
D

(vi) Given G.P: √3 + + + to n terms

√ √

Here,
a = √ and r = √ = (| r | < 1)
√

Number of terms = n
Hence,
=(>? – )
Sn =
-
F
√ E ( * G
Sn = F
( *

O T IS
=
√ ( F*
N A D
CO N
O UC AA
T IO
PY
√
= (1 − F *
ED PR

2. How many terms of the geometric progression 1 + 4 + 16 + 64 +

…….. must be added to get sum equal to 5461?
©

Solution:
Given G.P: 1 + 4 + 16 + 64 + ……..
Here,
a = 1 and r = 4/1 = 4 (r > 1)
And,
D

Sn = 5461
We know that,
=(>? – )
Sn =
-
( )(( )? – )
⇒ Sn =
(( )? – )
=
 (( )? – )
5461 =
16383 = 4n – 1
4n = 14384 = 47
n=7
Therefore, 7 terms of the G.P must be added to get a sum of 5461.

3. The first term of a G.P. is 27 and its 8th term is . Find the sum

O T IS
of its first 10 terms.
N A D
CO N
Solution:
O UC AA
Given, T IO
PY
First term (a) of a G.P = 27
And, 8th term = t8 = ar8 – 1 =
ED PR

(27)r7 =
©

r7 =
×

r7 =

r = (r > 1)
Now,
D

Sum of first 10 terms = S10

A
E ( * G
S10 =

K( A*
=

= (1 − A *
4. A boy spends Rs.10 on first day, Rs.20 on second day, Rs.40 on
third day and so on. Find how much, in all, will he spend in 12
days?
Solution:
Given,
Amount spent on 1st day = Rs 10
Amount spent on 2nd day = Rs 20
And amount spent on 3rd day = Rs 40
It’s seen that,
O T IS
N A D
CO N
10, 20, 40, …… forms an G.P with first term, a = 10 and common
ratio, r = = 2 (r > 1)
O UC AA
T IO
PY
The number of days, n = 12
Hence, the sum of money spend in 12 days is the sum of 12 terms of
ED PR

the G.P.
( )& '
S12 = = 10 (212 – 1) = 10 (4096 – 1) = 10 × 4095 = 40950
©

Therefore, the amount he will spend = Rs 40950

5. The 4th term and the 7th term of a G.P. are and
respectively. Find the sum of n terms of the G.P.
Solution:
D

Given,
t4 = and t7 =
We know that,
tn = arn – 1
So,
t4 = ar4 – 1 = ar3 = …. (1)
t7 = ar7 – 1 = ar6 = …. (2)
Dividing (2) and (1) we get,

0
ar6/ ar3 =

r3 =

r = (r < 1)

O T IS
In (1)
a×
N A D
CO N
=
O UC AA
a=1 T IO
PY
Hence,
( )?
ED PR

Sn =

( )?
=
©

+
= 1−

6. A geometric progression has common ratio = 3 and last term =

486. If the sum of its terms is 728; find its first term.
D

Solution:
Given,
For a G.P.,
r = 3, l = 486 and Sn = 728
L- ,
= 728
-
× ,
= 728
 ,
= 728
1458 – a = 728 × 2 = 1456
Thus, a = 2

7. Find the sum of G.P.: 3, 6, 12, …., 1536.

Solution:
Given G.P: 3, 6, 12, …., 1536
Here,
O T IS
N A D
CO N
a = 3, l = 1536 and r = = 2
O UC AA
T IO
PY
So,
M> – =
The sum of terms =
>–
ED PR

× –
=
–
= 3072 – 3
©

= 3069

8. How many terms of the series 2 + 6 + 18 + ….. Must be taken to

make the sum equal to 728?
Solution:
Given G.P: 2 + 6 + 18 + …..
D

Here,
a = 2 and r = = 3
Also given,
Sn = 728
( ?– )
728 =
729 = 3n
36 = 3n
n=6
Therefore, 6 terms must be taken to make the sum equal to 728.

9. In a G.P., the ratio between the sum of first three terms and
that of the first six terms is 125: 152.

O T IS
Find its common ratio.
Solution:
N A D
CO N
Given,
O UC AA
T IO
PY
,(- ) ,(- )
: = 125:152
- -
N(O ) )
O)
ED PR

N(O ) )
=
O)

(- )
=
(-
©

(- )
(- )(- : )
=

=
- :

P +1=

P = -1 = =
D

P = ( * r=

Therefore, the common ratio is .