JEE Sequences and Series PYQs
JEE Sequences and Series PYQs are an important part of the JEE Mathematics syllabus. They help you understand the kind of questions asked from this chapter and show how well you know the main topics, such as arithmetic progression, geometric progression, harmonic progression, sum of terms, special series, and means.
In the exam, questions from sequences and series usually come as direct numerical problems or simple concept-based questions. The good thing is that this chapter becomes much easier when your basics are clear. Once you understand the concepts properly and know which formula or method to use, solving questions feels much more manageable. You do not need to think of this chapter as very difficult. With regular revision and smart practice, it can become one of the more scoring parts of JEE Mathematics.
In this blog, you will find a simple formula PDF, a section for important JEE Sequences and Series PYQs in download format, a few practice questions with answers, and some extra questions to solve on your own. You will also learn about common mistakes students often make and a few easy tips to save time in the exam.
JEE Sequences and Series Important PYQs PDF
This PDF can include the most important previous year questions from sequences and series. It may cover topics like arithmetic progression, geometric progression, harmonic progression, nth term, sum of n terms, infinite GP, arithmetic mean, geometric mean, and special sums.
Practicing these questions will help you understand the exam pattern better. It will also improve your speed, accuracy, and confidence before the exam.
Important Formulas for JEE Sequences and Series PYQs
You only need a few important formulas and ideas to solve most sequences and series questions in JEE. These formulas help you understand term-based questions, sum-based questions, and pattern-based problems more clearly.
You can download the full formula PDF from the link above. Here is a quick look at some of the main formulas:
Concept | Formula |
nth Term of AP | aₙ = a + (n − 1)d |
Sum of n Terms of AP | Sₙ = n/2 [2a + (n − 1)d] |
nth Term of GP | aₙ = arⁿ⁻¹ |
Sum of n Terms of GP | Sₙ = a(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1) |
Sum of Infinite GP | S = a/(1 − r), where |r| < 1 |
Harmonic Progression | Terms are reciprocals of an AP |
Arithmetic Mean | A.M. = (a + b)/2 |
Geometric Mean | G.M. = √ab |
Relation Between A.M. and G.M. | A.M. ≥ G.M. |
Sum of First n Natural Numbers | n(n + 1)/2 |
Sum of Squares of First n Natural Numbers | n(n + 1)(2n + 1)/6 |
Sum of Cubes of First n Natural Numbers | [n(n + 1)/2]² |
These formulas are commonly used in questions based on arithmetic progression, geometric progression, harmonic progression, and special series. If you revise them properly, many JEE questions start to feel much easier.
Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in JEE Sequences and Series PYQs
Many students find this chapter confusing at first because it has many formulas that look similar. But most mistakes happen because small details are missed while solving. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:
Mixing up the nth term formula and the sum formula
Students often use the nth term formula when the question is asking for the sum, or use the sum formula when only one term is needed.
Using the wrong formula for AP and GP
AP and GP formulas are different. In AP, the change happens by a common difference, while in GP, it happens by a common ratio. A small mix-up here can change the whole answer.
Forgetting the condition for infinite GP
The sum of an infinite GP exists only when the common ratio lies between -1 and 1. Many students forget this basic condition.
Making mistakes in common difference or common ratio
If the value of d or r is found incorrectly, the whole solution goes wrong. So always check it carefully before moving ahead.
Ignoring the pattern in special series
Some questions are based on special sums or number patterns. Students sometimes rush to apply a direct formula without first understanding the actual pattern.
List of JEE Sequences and Series PYQs
Here is a short set of JEE-style sequences and series questions for practice. These include common question types from AP, GP, HP, sum of terms, and special series. Solving them regularly can help you become faster and more confident.
Question 1
Let $$a_{1},\dfrac{a_{2}}{2},\dfrac{a_{3}}{2^{2}},....,\dfrac{a_{10}}{2^{9}}$$ be a G.P. of common ratio $$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$$. If $$a_{1}+a_{2}+....+a_{10}=62$$, then $$a_{1}$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 3
Question 2
Let $$a_{1},a_{2},a_{3},...$$ be a G.P. of increasing positive terms such that $$a_{2}.a_{3}.a_{4}=64\text{ and }a_{1}+a_{3}+a_{5}=\frac{813}{7}.\text{ Then }a_{3}+a_{5}+a_{7}$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 4
Question 3
Let $$a_{1}=1$$ and for $$n\geq1,a_{n+1}=\frac{1}{2}a_{n}+\frac{n^{2}-2n-1}{n^{2}(n+1)^2}$$. Then $$\left|\sum_{ n=1}^{ \infty}\left( a_n - \frac{2}{n^2}\right)\right|$$ is equal to ______.
correct answer:- 2
Question 4
Let f and g be functions satisfying f(x+ y) =f(x)f(y), f (l) =7 and g(x+ y) = g(xy), g(1) =1, for all $$x,y \epsilon N$$. If $$\sum_{x=1}^n \left(\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\right) = 19607$$, then n is equal to:
correct answer:- 4
Question 5
Suppose $$a, b, c$$ are in A.P. and $$a^2, 2b^2, c^2$$ are in G.P. If $$a < b < c$$ and $$a + b + c = 1$$, then $$9(a^{2}+b^{2}+c^{2})$$ is equal to _____________.
correct answer:- 9
Question 6
If the sum of the first four terms of an A.P. is 6 and the sum of its first six terms is 4, then the sum of its first twelve terms is
correct answer:- 1
Question 7
Let 729, 81 , 9, 1, ... be a sequence and $$P_{n}$$ denote the product of the first n terms of this sequence.
If $$2\sum_{n=1}^{40}(P_{n})^{\frac{1}{n}}=\frac{3^{\alpha}-1}{3^{\beta}}$$ and $$gcd(\alpha\beta)=1$$ then $$\alpha+\beta$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 1
Question 8
Let $$S=\dfrac{1}{25!}+\dfrac{1}{3!23!}+\dfrac{1}{5!21!}+...$$ up to 13 terms. If $$13S=\dfrac{2^k}{n!},\ \ k\in\mathbf{N}$$, then $$n+k$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 9
Consider an $$A.P:a_{1},a_{2},...a_{n};a_{1} > 0$$. If $$a_{2}-a_{1}=\frac{-3}{4},a_{n}=\frac{1}{4}a_{1}$$, and $$\sum_{i=1}^{n}a_{i}=\frac{525}{2}$$, then $$\sum_{i=1}^{17}a_{i}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 10
Let $$a_{1},a_{2},a_{3},a_{4}$$ be an A.P. of four terms such that each term of the A.P. and its common difference $$l$$ are integers. If $$a_{1} +a_{2}+a_{3}+a_{4}= 48$$ and $$a_{1} a_{2}a_{3}a_{4} + l^{4} = 361,$$ then the largest term of the A.P. is equal to
correct answer:- 2
Question 11
$$\left(\dfrac{1}{3}+\dfrac{4}{7}\right)+\left( \dfrac{1}{3^{2}}+\dfrac{1}{3}\times\dfrac{4}{7}+\dfrac{4^{2}}{7^{2}} \right)+\left(\dfrac{1}{3^{3}}+\dfrac{1}{3^{2}}\times\dfrac{4}{7}+\dfrac{1}{3}\times\dfrac{4^{2}}{7^{2}}+\dfrac{4^{3}}{7^{3}} \right)+......$$ upto infinite term, is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 12
The common difference of the $$A.P.: a_{1},a_{2},.....,a_{m}$$ is 13 more than the common difference of the $$A.P.:b_{1},b_{2},....,b_{n}$$. If $$b_{31}=-277,b_{43}=-385 \text{ and } a_{78}=327$$ then $$a_{1}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 13
The value of $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}(-1)^{k+1}\left(\frac{k(k+1)}{k!}\right)$$ is
correct answer:- 3
Question 14
In a G.P., if the product of the first three terms is 27 and the set of all possible values for the sum of its first three terms is $$\text{R-(a,b)}$$, then $$a^{2}+b^{2}$$ is equal to______
correct answer:- 90
Question 15
$$ \text{Let }\sum_{k=1}^n a_k=\alpha n ^2 +\beta n.$$ If $$a_{10}=59$$ and $$ a_6 = 7a_1,$$ then $$ \alpha+\beta $$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 16
$$\dfrac{6}{3^{26}}+\dfrac{10.1}{3^{25}}+\dfrac{10.2}{3^{24}}+\dfrac{10.2^{2}}{3^{23}}+...+\dfrac{10.2^{24}}{3}$$ is equal to :
correct answer:- 4
Question 17
Let the arithmetic mean of $$\dfrac{1}{a}$$ and $$\dfrac{1}{b}$$ be $$\dfrac{5}{16}$$, $$\text{a > 2}$$. If $$\alpha$$ is such that $$ a,\alpha,b $$ are in A.P., then the equation $$\alpha x^{2}-ax+2(\alpha-2b)=0$$ has:
correct answer:- 1
Question 18
If $$\sum_{r=1}^{25}\left( \frac{r}{r^{4}+r^{2}+1} \right)=\frac{p}{q},$$ where p and q are positive integers such that gcd(p,q)=1, then p+q is equal to ___________
correct answer:- 976
Question 19
Suppose that the number of terms in an A.P is $$2k, k \in N$$. If the sum of all odd terms of the A.P. is 40 , the sum of all even terms is 55 and the last term of the A.P. exceeds the first term by 27, then k is equal to :
correct answer:- 2
Question 20
Let $$a_1,a_2,a_3,...$$ be a G.P. of increasing positive terms. If $$a_1a_5 = 28$$ and $$a_2+a_4 = 29$$, then $$a_6$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 4
Question 21
$$ \text{If } \sum_{r=1}^n T_r=\frac{(2n-1)(2n+1)(2n+3)(2n+5)}{64} \text{ then } \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \sum_{r=1}^n\left( \frac {1}{T_r}\right) \text{is equal to:} $$
correct answer:- 2
Question 22
The roots of the quadratic equation $$3x^{2} - px + q = 0$$ are $$10^{th}$$ and $$11^{th}$$ terms of an arithmetic progression with common difference $$\frac{3}{2}$$. If the sum of the first 11 terms of this arithmetic progression is 88 , then q - 2p is equal to
correct answer:- 474
Question 23
Let $$S_n=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{6}+\frac{1}{12}+\frac{1}{20}+\cdots$$ upto $$n$$ terms. If the sum of the first six terms of an A.P. with first term $$-p$$ and common difference $$p$$ is $$\sqrt{2026\, S_{2025}},$$ then the absolute difference between the 20th and 15th terms of the A.P. is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 24
$$\text{If }7 = 5 + \frac{1}{7}(5+\alpha) + \frac{1}{7^2}(5+2\alpha)+ \frac{1}{7^3}(5+3\alpha) + \cdots + \infty,\text{ then the value of } \alpha \text{ is:}$$
correct answer:- 2
Question 25
In an arithmetic progression, if $$S_{40}=1030$$ and $$S_{12}=57$$, then $$S_{30}-S_{10} $$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 3
Question 26
If $$f(x)=\frac{2^{x}}{2^{x}+\sqrt{2}},x \in \mathbb{R}$$, then $$\sum_{k=1}^{81}f(\frac{k}{82})$$ is equals to
correct answer:- 4
Question 27
Let $$T_{r}$$ be the $$r^{th}$$ term of an A.P. If for some m,$$T_{m}=\frac{1}{25},T_{25}=\frac{1}{25}$$, and $$20\sum_{r=1}^{25}T_{r}=13$$,then $$5m\sum_{r=m}^{2m}T_{r}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 2
Question 28
Let $$\langle a_{n}\rangle$$ be a sequence such that $$a_{0}=0,a_{1}=\frac{1}{2}$$ and $$2a_{n+2}=5a_{n+1}-3a_{n},n=0,1,2,3,....$$ Then $$\sum_{k=1}^{100}a_{k}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 2
Question 29
Consider an A. P. of positive integers, whose sum of the first three terms is 54 and the sum of the first twenty terms lies between 1600 and 1800. Then its $$11^{th}$$ term is :
correct answer:- 1
Question 30
The value of $$\lim_{n\rightarrow \infty}\left(\sum_{k=1}^{n}\frac{k^{3}+6k^{2}+11k+5}{(k+3)!}\right)$$ is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 31
If the first term of an A.P. is 3 and the sum of its first four terms is equal to one-fifth of the sum of the next four terms, then the sum of the first 20 terms is equal to
correct answer:- 1
Question 32
Let $$a_1, a_2, \ldots, a_{2024}$$ be an Arithmetic Progression such that $$a_1 + (a_5 + a_{10} + a_{15} + \cdots + a_{2020}) + a_{2024} = 2233$$. Then $$a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + \cdots + a_{2024}$$ is equal to _______
correct answer:- 11132
Question 33
Let the first three terms 2, p and q, with q ≠ 2, of a G.P. be respectively the 7th, 8th and 13th terms of an A.P. If the $$5^{th}$$ term of the G.P. is the $$n^{th}$$ term of the A.P., then n is equal to:
correct answer:- 1
Question 34
For positive integers $$n$$, if $$4a_{n}=(n^{2}_5n+6)$$ and $$S_{n}= \sum_{k=1}^{n}\left(\frac{1}{a_{k}}\right)$$, then the value of $$507S_{2025}$$ is :
correct answer:- 2
Question 35
The interior angles of a polygon with n sides, are in an A.P. with common difference $$6^{\circ}$$ . If the largest interior angle of the polygon is $$219^{\circ}$$, then n is equal to
correct answer:- 20
Question 36
Let $$3, a, b, c$$ be in A.P. and $$3, a-1, b+1, c+9$$ be in G.P. Then, the arithmetic mean of $$a$$, $$b$$ and $$c$$ is:
correct answer:- 4
Question 37
Let $$3, 7, 11, 15, \ldots, 403$$ and $$2, 5, 8, 11, \ldots, 404$$ be two arithmetic progressions. Then the sum of the common terms in them is equal to:
correct answer:- 6699
Question 38
Let $$S_n$$ denote the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic progression. If $$S_{10} = 390$$ and the ratio of the tenth and the fifth terms is 15 : 7, then $$S_{15} - S_5$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 3
Question 39
If three successive terms of a G.P. with common ratio $$r$$ $$(r > 1)$$ are the length of the sides of a triangle and $$\lfloor r \rfloor$$ denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to r, then $$3\lfloor r \rfloor + \lfloor -r \rfloor$$ is equal to:
correct answer:- 1
Question 40
The number of common terms in the progressions $$4, 9, 14, 19, \ldots$$ up to $$25^{th}$$ term and $$3, 6, 9, 12, \ldots$$ up to $$37^{th}$$ term is :
correct answer:- 3
Question 41
If $$8 = 3 + \frac{1}{4}(3 + p) + \frac{1}{4^2}(3 + 2p) + \frac{1}{4^3}(3 + 3p) + \ldots \infty$$, then the value of $$p$$ is _______.
correct answer:- 9
Question 42
The 20th term from the end of the progression $$20, 19\frac{1}{4}, 18\frac{1}{2}, 17\frac{3}{4}, \ldots, -129\frac{1}{4}$$ is :
correct answer:- 3
Question 43
In an A.P., the sixth term $$a_6 = 2$$. If the $$a_1 a_4 a_5$$ is the greatest, then the common difference of the A.P., is equal to
correct answer:- 2
Question 44
If in a G.P. of $$64$$ terms, the sum of all the terms is $$7$$ times the sum of the odd terms of the G.P, then the common ratio of the G.P. is equal to
correct answer:- 4
Question 45
If $$\log_e a, \log_e b, \log_e c$$ are in an A.P. and $$\log_e a - \log_e 2b, \log_e 2b - \log_e 3c, \log_e 3c - \log_e a$$ are also in an A.P., then $$a : b : c$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 1
Question 46
If each term of a geometric progression $$a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$$ with $$a_1 = \frac{1}{8}$$ and $$a_2 \neq a_1$$, is the arithmetic mean of the next two terms and $$S_n = a_1 + a_2 + \ldots + a_n$$, then $$S_{20} - S_{18}$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 4
Question 47
Let $$S_a$$ denote the sum of first $$n$$ terms an arithmetic progression. If $$S_{20} = 790$$ and $$S_{10} = 145$$, then $$S_{15} - S_5$$ is :
correct answer:- 1
Question 48
Let $$\alpha = 1^2 + 4^2 + 8^2 + 13^2 + 19^2 + 26^2 + \ldots$$ upto $$10$$ terms and $$\beta = \sum_{n=1}^{10} n^4$$. If $$4\alpha - \beta = 55k + 40$$, then $$k$$ is equal to _______.
correct answer:- 353
Question 49
Let $$a$$ and $$b$$ be two distinct positive real numbers. Let 11th term of a GP, whose first term is $$a$$ and third term is $$b$$, is equal to $$p^{th}$$ term of another GP, whose first term is $$a$$ and fifth term is $$b$$. Then $$p$$ is equal to
correct answer:- 3
Question 50
Let $$S_n$$ be the sum to n-terms of an arithmetic progression $$3, 7, 11, \ldots$$, if $$40 < \frac{6}{n(n+1)}\sum_{k=1}^{n} S_k < 42$$, then $$n$$ equals ____________.
correct answer:- 9