Q.The sum of some terms of G.P. is 315 whose first term and the common ratio are 5 and 2, respectively. Find the last term and the number of terms.
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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 — we use the sum formula Sn=ar−1rn−1 for r>1.
Given a=5, r=2, and Sn=315.
Step 1: Write the sum formula and substitute.
315=5⋅2−12n−1=5(2n−1)
Step 2: Solve for 2n.
2n−1=5315=63⇒2n=64
Step 3: Find n and the last term l=arn−1.
2n=64⇒n=6
l=5⋅25=5⋅32=160
✓Final answer
The number of terms is 6 and the last term is 160.
This is a geometric progression with a=5, r=2, and sum Sn=315. Using the GP sum formula Sn=ar−1rn−1 gives n=6, and the last term is arn−1=160.
Why the GP sum formula is the natural starting point
A geometric progression is a sequence where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number called the common ratio. Here, the first term is 5 and the common ratio is 2, so the terms are:
5,10,20,40,80,160,320,…
The sum of the first n terms of a GP (when r=1) is given by:
Sn=ar−1rn−1
This formula works because multiplying the whole sum by r and subtracting the original sum cancels all middle terms — a classic telescoping trick. We know Sn=315, a=5, r=2, so we can plug in and solve for n.
Step-by-step solution
1. Write the sum formula with the given values
315=5⋅2−12n−1
Since 2−1=1, this simplifies immediately:
315=5(2n−1)
2. Solve for 2n
Divide both sides by 5:
63=2n−1
Add 1 to both sides:
2n=64
3. Find n
Since 64=26, we have:
n=6
Tip
If you don't immediately see that 64=26, just keep doubling: 2,4,8,16,32,64 — that's six doublings, so n=6.
4. Find the last term
The nth term (last term) of a GP is arn−1. Here:
T6=5⋅26−1=5⋅25=5⋅32=160
Watch out
A common mistake is to use arn instead of arn−1 for the last term. The first term is ar0, so the nth term has exponent n−1, not n.
5. Verify the sum
As a quick check, add the six terms: 5+10+20+40+80+160=315. It matches.
✓Final answer
The number of terms is 6 and the last term is 160.
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 43 on this concept.
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04174 marksMCQ
Q.The sum of the first two terms of a geometric series is 12 and the third term is 16. Then the common ratio r>0 of the geometric progression is
(A) 21
(B) 32
(C) 2
(D) 3
(E) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
From a+ar=12 and ar2=16 derive 3r2−4r−4=0; the positive root is r=2.
Let the GP have first term a and ratio r. Then
a(1+r)=12,ar2=16.
From the first, a=1+r12. Substituting:
1+r12r2=16⇒12r2=16+16r⇒3r2−4r−4=0.
Solving, r=64±16+48=64±8, i.e. r=2 or r=−32.
Since r>0, r=2.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (C).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04174 marksMCQ
Q.The sum of four consecutive terms in a geometric progression is 960. If the fourth term is 8 times as large as the first term, then the smallest number in the geometric progression is
(A) 40
(B) 64
(C) 128
(D) 160
(E) 240
›Reveal solutionSolution
The ratio is r=2 (since term 4 =8× term 1), and 15a=960 gives smallest term a=64.
Let the four consecutive terms be a,ar,ar2,ar3. The condition ar3=8a gives r3=8, so r=2.
The sum is
a(1+r+r2+r3)=a(1+2+4+8)=15a=960⇒a=64.
Since r>1, the terms increase, so the smallest number is the first term a=64.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (B).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQ
Q.A geometric series has common ratio 31. If the sum of first four terms is 200, then the first term is
(A) 90
(B) 100
(C) 115
(D) 145
(E) 135
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve a⋅2740=200 to get first term 135.
Geometric series with r=31:
S4=a1−r1−r4=a1−311−811=a⋅2/380/81=a⋅2740.
Set equal to 200:
a=200⋅4027=135.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (E).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQ
Q.The sum of the second and third terms of a G.P. is 8 and the fourth term is 4. The common ratio r=1 is
(A) 2−1
(B) 21
(C) 4−1
(D) 3−1
(E) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
Ratio of t4 to (t2+t3) yields 2r2−r−1=0, so r=−21.
Let terms be ar,ar2,ar3. Given:
ar+ar2=8,ar3=4.
Divide the second by the first:
ar(1+r)ar3=1+rr2=84=21.
So 2r2=1+r⇒2r2−r−1=0⇒(2r+1)(r−1)=0. Since r=1, r=−21.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (A).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQ
Q.The first and the twentieth terms of a G.P. are 512 and 10241 respectively. Then the common ratio is
(A) 21
(B) 2
(C) 41
(D) 4
(E) 81
›Reveal solutionSolution
r19=2−19, so r=21.
With first term a=512=29 and t20=ar19:
29r19=10241=2−10⇒r19=2−19.
Hence r=2−1=21.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (A).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQ
Q.If k, 6 and k+5 are the first three terms of a geometric series, then the possible values of the common ratio are
(A) 21,2
(B) 2,−2
(C) 31,3
(D) 23,3−2
(E) 32,2−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve k2+5k−36=0 (k=4,−9), then r=6/k=23 or −32.
For a GP, the middle term squared equals the product of neighbours:
62=k(k+5)⇒k2+5k−36=0⇒(k−4)(k+9)=0.
So k=4 or k=−9. The common ratio r=k6:
k=4⇒r=23,
k=−9⇒r=−32.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (D).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQ
Q.The number of terms in the sequence 2,6,18,…,1458 is
(A) 14
(B) 12
(C) 10
(D) 8
(E) 7
›Reveal solutionSolution
Geometric sequence with ratio 3; solve 2⋅3k−1=1458.
The sequence 2,6,18,… is a GP with first term a=2 and ratio r=3.
The k-th term is tk=2⋅3k−1. Set 2⋅3k−1=1458:
3k−1=729=36⇒k−1=6⇒k=7.
There are 7 terms.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (E).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQ
Q.Let t1,t2,t3,…,t2n−2,t2n−1,t2n be in G.P. with common ratio r. Then
(A) t1,t3,t5,…,t2n−5,t2n−3,t2n−1 are in G.P. with common ratio r
(B) t1,t4,t7,…,t2n−7,t2n−4,t2n−1 are in G.P. with common ratio r2
(C) t1,t3,t5,…,t2n−5,t2n−3,t2n−1 are in G.P. with common ratio r2
(D) t2,t4,t6,…,t2n−4,t2n−2,t2n are in G.P. with common ratio r3
(E) t2,t4,t6,…,t2n−4,t2n−2,t2n are in G.P. with common ratio r5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Every-other term of a GP forms a GP with ratio r2.
In a GP tk=t1rk−1. The odd-indexed subsequence t1,t3,t5,… has
tktk+2=t1rk−1t1rk+1=r2.
So t1,t3,t5,…,t2n−1 form a GP with common ratio r2.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (C).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQ
Q.If 4n+16n4n+1+16n+1 is the Geometric Mean between 4 and 16, then the value of n is
(A) 21
(B) 23
(C) 10
(D) 2−1
(E) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
The GM of 4 and 16 is 8; solving yields n=−21.
Geometric mean of 4 and 16 is 4⋅16=8. So
4n+16n4n+1+16n+1=4n+16n4⋅4n+16⋅16n=8.
Let a=4n, b=16n: 4a+16b=8(a+b)⇒8b=4a⇒a=2b, i.e. 4n=2⋅16n.
Then 16n4n=2⇒4−n=2⇒−nlog4=log2⇒−2n=1⇒n=−21.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (D).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQ
Q.The first and last term of a G.P. are 7 and 448 respectively. If the sum is 889, then the common ratio is
(A) 4
(B) 2
(C) 21
(D) 41
(E) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solve r−1448r−7=889 to get r=2.
For a GP with first term a=7, last term l=448, sum S=r−1lr−a:
r−1448r−7=889.
So 448r−7=889r−889⇒889−7=889r−448r⇒882=441r⇒r=2.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (B).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQ
Q.Let t1,t2,t3,…,tn be in G.P. Then (t2t4)3 is equal to
(A) (t3t7)2
(B) (t4t7)2
(C) (t4t6)2
(D) (t2t7)2
(E) (t8t9)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a geometric progression the ratio tm/tn=rm−n. The given quantity is (r2)3=r6; among the options only (t7/t4)2=(r3)2=r6 matches.
Let the common ratio be r, so tk=t1rk−1 and tm/tn=rm−n.
Given quantity:
(t2t4)3=(r4−2)3=(r2)3=r6.
Evaluate each option:
(A) (t7/t3)2=(r4)2=r8
(B) (t7/t4)2=(r3)2=r6✓
(C) (t6/t4)2=(r2)2=r4
(D) (t7/t2)2=(r5)2=r10
(E) (t9/t8)2=(r1)2=r2
Only option (B) equals r6.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (B).
KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQ
Q.The sum of the first n terms in a G.P. is sn=100−1001−n. The common ratio r is
(A) 1003
(B) 5001
(C) 201
(D) 501
(E) 1001
›Reveal solutionSolution
A G.P. sum has the form Sn=1−ra(1−rn)=1−ra−1−rarn. Writing the given Sn=100−1001−n=100−100⋅(1/100)n shows the geometric factor is rn=(1/100)n, so r=1/100.
For a G.P. with first term a and ratio r,
Sn=1−ra(1−rn)=1−ra−1−rarn.
The given sum is
Sn=100−1001−n=100−100⋅100−n=100−100(1001)n.
Matching the constant term: 1−ra=100. Matching the exponential term: 1−rarn=100(1001)n, i.e. rn=(1/100)n.