Q.Which term of the G.P., 2,8,32,… up to n terms is 131072?
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Concept understanding — Geometric Progression
Geometric Progression: The Idea of Repeated Multiplication
Imagine you're folding a piece of paper in half. Start with thickness 1 unit. After one fold, thickness becomes 2. After two folds, thickness becomes 4. After three folds, thickness becomes 8. The sequence of thicknesses is:
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
Notice the pattern: each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by the same number (here, 2). That's the core intuition behind a geometric progression — you keep multiplying by a fixed number, step after step.
This is different from an arithmetic progression, where you keep adding a fixed number. Here, the growth is multiplicative, not additive. That's why geometric progressions grow (or shrink) much faster.
Precise Definition
A Geometric Progression (GP) is a sequence of numbers where the ratio of any term to its preceding term is constant. This constant is called the common ratio, denoted by r.
If the first term is a, then the sequence looks like:
a,ar,ar2,ar3,ar4,…
Note
The common ratio r can be any real number — positive, negative, or even a fraction. If r is negative, the terms alternate in sign. If 0<r<1, the terms get smaller and smaller.
The n-th Term
To find any term directly without listing all previous ones, use the formula:
Tn=a⋅rn−1
where Tn is the n-th term, a is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the term number (starting from 1).
Example: For the paper-folding sequence, a=1, r=2. The 5th term is 1⋅25−1=24=16, which matches our list.
Sum of n Terms
There are two cases, depending on whether r=1 or not.
Sum of first n terms of a GP:
Sn=⎩⎨⎧a⋅r−1rn−1,n⋅a,r=1r=1
When r=1, every term is just a, so the sum is simply n×a.
Why the formula works (intuition):
Let S=a+ar+ar2+⋯+arn−1. Multiply both sides by r: rS=ar+ar2+⋯+arn. Subtract the first from the second: rS−S=arn−a, so S(r−1)=a(rn−1), giving the formula above.
Sum of an Infinite GP
If the common ratio r lies strictly between −1 and 1 (i.e., ∣r∣<1), the terms get smaller and smaller, and the sum of all terms approaches a finite value:
S∞=1−ra,for ∣r∣<1
Watch out
If ∣r∣≥1, the infinite sum does not exist (it diverges to infinity or oscillates without settling). Never apply the infinite sum formula when ∣r∣≥1.
Example:1+21+41+81+… has a=1, r=21, so S∞=1−1/21=2. This matches the intuition that repeatedly halving a unit length eventually fills exactly 2 units.
Quick Reference Table
Property
Formula
Condition
Common ratio
r=TnTn+1
Always
n-th term
Tn=arn−1
Always
Sum of n terms
Sn=ar−1rn−1
r=1
Sum of n terms
Sn=na
r=1
Infinite sum
S∞=1−ra
$
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing n and n−1: The first term corresponds to n=1, so the exponent is n−1, not n.
Using infinite sum when ∣r∣≥1: The formula gives a finite number, but the actual sum is infinite — it's a trap.
Forgetting the sign when r is negative: Terms alternate, and the sum formula still works, but be careful with signs in calculations.
Why This Matters
Geometric progressions appear everywhere: compound interest in finance, population growth in biology, radioactive decay in physics, and even in the design of algorithms (binary search halves the problem size each step — a GP with r=1/2). Once you see the pattern of repeated multiplication, you'll spot GPs in many real-world contexts.
Geometric Progression is one of the two central sequence types in the NCERT Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Sequences and Series, and searches like "geometric progression: definition, formula and examples" or "GP sum of n terms important questions" point straight to this concept. It's also a regular fixture in JEE Main, CET, and other competitive exams, especially problems involving compound interest and infinite series.
Concept: Geometric Progression – each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed common ratio r.
Here, first term a=2, common ratio r=28=4.
The k-th term of a G.P. is ark−1.
We set 2⋅4k−1=131072.
Divide both sides by 2: 4k−1=65536.
Write 65536 as a power of 4: 48=65536 (since 48=(22)8=216=65536).
Thus k−1=8, so k=9.
✓Final answer
The 9th term of the G.P. is 131072.
In a geometric progression, each term is the first term multiplied by the common ratio raised to the power (n−1). For the G.P. 2,8,32,…, the common ratio is 4, and solving 2⋅4k−1=131072 gives k=9. So the 9th term is 131072.
A geometric progression (G.P.) is a sequence where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number called the common ratio (r). The key idea is that the terms grow (or shrink) by a constant factor, not a constant difference.
Here, the sequence is 2,8,32,….
To find the common ratio, divide any term by the one before it:
8÷2=4, and 32÷8=4. So r=4.
The general term (the k-th term) of a G.P. with first term a and common ratio r is given by:
Tk=a⋅rk−1
For this problem, a=2, r=4, and we want Tk=131072.
Set up the equation
Substitute the known values into the formula:
2⋅4k−1=131072
Isolate the power
Divide both sides by 2:
4k−1=2131072=65536
Express both sides as powers of the same base
Since 4=22, we can rewrite 4k−1 as (22)k−1=22(k−1).
Now, 65536 is a power of 2. Let's find which one.
You can check by repeated doubling: 210=1024, 211=2048, 212=4096, 213=8192, 214=16384, 215=32768, 216=65536.
So 65536=216.
Tip
A faster way: 65536=64×1024=26×210=216. Knowing powers of 2 up to 210 is very handy for such problems.
Equate the exponents
Now we have:
22(k−1)=216
Since the bases are equal (and 2=1), the exponents must be equal:
2(k−1)=16
Solve for k
Divide both sides by 2:
k−1=8
So k=9.
Watch out
A common mistake is to write Tk=ark instead of ark−1. The first term corresponds to k=1, so the exponent must be k−1 to give r0=1. If you used k instead, you'd get k=10, which is off by one.
Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.
Showing the 12 most recent of 40 on this concept.
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.20th term of the G.P. 25,45,85,…
(a) 2205
(b) 2201
(c) 2195
(d) 2185
›Reveal solutionSolution
Identify the first term and common ratio, then apply an=arn−1 for n=20.
The G.P. is 25,45,85,… with first term a=25 and common ratio r=5/25/4=21.
The nth term of a G.P. is an=arn−1. For n=20:
a20=25×(21)19=25×2191=2205
✓Final answer
(a) 2205.
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.Which term of the sequence 3,3,33,… is 729?
(a) 9th
(b) 12th
(c) 13th
(d) 11th
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sequence is a G.P. with common ratio 3; express the nth term as a power of 3 and match it to 729.
The sequence 3,3,33,… has first term a=3 and common ratio r=33=3 (check: 33/3=3 too).
nth term: an=arn−1=3×(3)n−1=(3)n=3n/2.
Set this equal to 729. Since 729=36:
3n/2=36⟹2n=6⟹n=12
✓Final answer
(b) 12th.
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.Given a G.P. with a=729 and 7th term 64, then S7=?
(a) 2187
(b) 64
(c) 2159
(d) 2059
›Reveal solutionSolution
First find the common ratio from ar6=64, then sum the first 7 terms directly.
Given a=729 and the 7th term a7=ar6=64:
729r6=64⟹r6=72964=(32)6⟹r=32
Now compute S7=a+ar+ar2+⋯+ar6, i.e. the 7 terms 729,486,324,216,144,96,64 (each obtained by multiplying the previous by 2/3):
729+486=1215,1215+324=1539,1539+216=1755,
1755+144=1899,1899+96=1995,1995+64=2059
So S7=2059.
✓Final answer
(d) 2059.
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The value of x for which the progression 2/7, x, 14 is in G.P., is:
(a) 4
(b) 2
(c) 1
(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
In a G.P., each term squared (the middle term) equals the product of its neighbours; solving gives x = 2.
For 72,x,14 to be in G.P., the middle term squared must equal the product of the outer terms:
x2=72×14=4
x=±2
Taking the standard positive value (consistent with all given terms being positive):
x=2
(Check ratio: 2/72=7 and 214=7 — consistent common ratio.)
✓Final answer
x=2 — option (b).
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The Geometric mean of 2 and 8 is:
(a) −4
(b) 5
(c) −5
(d) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The geometric mean of two numbers a,b is ab; for 2 and 8 this gives 16=4.
The geometric mean (GM) of two positive numbers a and b is defined as G=ab, the number such that a,G,b form a G.P.
Here a=2,b=8, so G=2×8=16=4.
✓Final answer
The geometric mean of 2 and 8 is 4, which is option (d).
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 mark
Q.Fill in the blank: If −72,x,−27 are consecutive terms of a geometric progression, then the value of x will be ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
If a,x,c are consecutive terms of a G.P., then x2=a⋅c; here that gives x=±1, and x=−1 is the value consistent with a single common ratio across the progression.
For three consecutive G.P. terms a,x,c: ax=xc⇒x2=ac.
Here a=−72, c=−27, so x2=(−72)(−27)=1, giving x=±1.
Checking x=−1: common ratio r=ax=−2/7−1=27, and indeed x⋅r=−1×27=−27=c✓ — a single positive ratio 27 carries all three (negative) terms consistently.
(Checking x=1 also algebraically satisfies x2=ac, with ratio r=−27, so both signs are valid roots of x2=ac; x=−1 is the natural choice keeping the progression's terms uniformly signed.)
✓Final answer
x=±1 (with x=−1 giving the consistent common ratio 27).
CBSE 2026Set 1A1 mark
Q.Find the sum to infinity in Geometric Progression 1,31,91,…
›Reveal solutionSolution
With a=1, r=31, S∞=1−311=23.
The GP 1,31,91,… has first term a=1 and common ratio r=31 (with ∣r∣<1). The sum to infinity is
S∞=1−ra=1−311=321=23.
✓Final answer
Sum to infinity =23.
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The common ratio of the geometrical progression 91,27−1,811,243−1,… is
(a) 1/3
(b) 3
(c) -3
(d) −1/3
›Reveal solutionSolution
The common ratio r=−31.
For a G.P., r=a1a2.
Here a1=91, a2=−271: r=1/9−1/27=−271×19=−279=−31.
Checking with the next pair: a3/a2=(1/81)/(−1/27)=−8127=−31, confirming a consistent ratio.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (d) −1/3.
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The 10th term of the geometrical progression 1,5,25,125,… is
(a) 59
(b) 510
(c) 511
(d) 512
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 10th term is 59.
For the G.P. 1,5,25,125,…: first term a=1, common ratio r=5/1=5.
The n-th term formula is an=arn−1. For n=10: a10=1×510−1=59.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (a) 59.
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The geometrical mean of 44 and 11 is
(a) 27.5
(b) 25
(c) 55
(d) 22
›Reveal solutionSolution
The geometric mean of 44 and 11 is 22.
For two positive numbers a and b, the geometric mean is ab.
44×11=484=22.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (d) 22.
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.For what value of x are the numbers 7−2,x,2−7 in G.P.?
(a) x=1,x=−1
(b) x=−1,x=3
(c) x=0,x=2
(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
For three numbers in G.P., the middle term squared equals the product of the outer terms: x2=(−72)(−27)=1, so x=±1.
If −72,x,−27 are in G.P., then the middle term is the geometric mean of the other two:
x2=(−72)×(−27)=1414=1
x=±1
Both values are valid (a G.P. can have a negative common ratio), giving x=1 or x=−1.
✓Final answer
(a) x=1,x=−1
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.If third term of a G.P. is 24 and 6th term is 192, then its common ratio is:
(a) 1/2
(b) 2
(c) 6
(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing the 6th term by the 3rd term of a G.P. gives r3.
Let the G.P. have first term a and common ratio r.