Mathematics · Quantitative Aptitude

Sequences and Series

230 Questions

Sequences and series involve ordered lists of numbers and the sum of their terms. The questions primarily test knowledge of arithmetic progressions, geometric progressions, and infinite series. It is an essential part of quantitative aptitude that requires strong pattern recognition skills.

Arithmetic progressionGeometric progressionInfinite seriesSum of termsNumber sequences

Sequences and Series Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. -7 , -17 , -27

  2. -25 , -26 , -27

  3. 27 , 0 , -27

  4. -21 , -24 , -27

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Using the arithmetic series formulas: nth term aₙ = a₁ + (n-1)d and sum Sₙ = n(a₁ + aₙ)/2. Given a₃ = 114, aₙ = -27, and S = 2325. From a₃ = a₁ + 2d = 114, we get a₁ = 114 - 2d. From S = n(a₁ + aₙ)/2 = n((114-2d) + (-27))/2 = n(87 - 2d)/2 = 2325. From aₙ = a₁ + (n-1)d: -27 = (114-2d) + (n-1)d = 114 - 2d + nd - d = 114 + nd - 3d. Solving gives d = -3, n = 60, a₁ = 120. The last three terms are: 58th = a₁ + 57d = 120 + 57(-3) = -51, 59th = 120 + 58(-3) = -54, 60th = 120 + 59(-3) = -57. Wait - this doesn't match option D. Let me recalculate: -27 = a₁ + (n-1)(-3), so a₁ = -27 + 3(n-1). Also a₁ = 114 - 2(-3) = 120. So 120 = -27 + 3n - 3, so 3n = 150, n = 50. Last three: 48th = 120 + 47(-3) = -21, 49th = 120 + 48(-3) = -24, 50th = 120 + 49(-3) = -27. This matches option D.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. -2

  2. -4

  3. -12

  4. 8

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Let terms be a, ar, ar^2, ar^3. a(1+r)=12 and ar^2(1+r)=48. Dividing gives r^2=4, so r=2 or -2. Since terms alternate signs, r must be -2. Then a(1-2)=12 => -a=12 => a=-12.

Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles
  1. 2376

  2. 1040

  3. 2116

  4. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Let AP1 be: a, a+d, a+2d, ... and AP2 be: b, b+e, b+2e, ... The product sequence is: ab, (a+d)(b+e), (a+2d)(b+2e), ... Term 1: 192 = ab, Term 2: 360 = (a+d)(b+e) = ab + ae + bd + de, Term 3: 576 = (a+2d)(b+2e). From 192 to 360, difference is 168. From 360 to 576, difference is 216. The second difference is 216-168=48. For product of two APs, the 8th term follows the pattern. Through calculation: if we factor 192 = 12×16, 360 = 15×24, 576 = 18×32, then AP1: 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 and AP2: 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72. Term 8 = 33 × 72 = 2376.

Multiple choice
  1. 16, 36, 24, 54,,,,,,,,

  2. 24, 36, 53 ....

  3. 16, 24 36, 54 ....

  4. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

For a GP with second term ar = 24 and fifth term ar^4 = 81, we divide to find r^3 = 81/24 = 27/8, so r = 3/2. Then a = 24/r = 24/(3/2) = 16. The series is 16, 16×(3/2), 16×(3/2)^2, ... = 16, 24, 36, 54, 81,...