Arithmetico Geometric Series: Definition & Examples

Arithmetico Geometric Series: Definition & Examples

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 07:45 PM IST

Before learning the Arithmetic-Geometric Progression, let's revise the concept of sequence. A sequence is formed when terms are written in order such that they follow a particular pattern. Understanding AGP involves understanding the different principles of AP and GP. In real life, AGP is applicable in areas such as population dynamics, algorithms, etc.

Arithmetico Geometric Series: Definition & Examples
Arithmetico Geometric Series: Definition & Examples

Arithmetic-Geometric Progression

Arithmetico-geometric progression is the combination of arithmetic and geometric series. This series is formed by taking the product of the corresponding elements of arithmetic and geometric progressions. In short form, it is written as A.G.P (Arithmetico-Geometric Progression).

Wherein-

An arithmetic progression is a sequence in which each term increases or decreases by a constant term or fixed number. This fixed number is called the common difference of an AP and is generally denoted by ' $d$ '.

A geometric progression or geometric sequence is a sequence where the first term is non-zero and the ratio between consecutive terms is always constant. The 'constant factor' is called the common ratio and is denoted by ' $r$ '. $r$ is also a non-zero number.

Properties of A.M. and G.M

A and G are arithmetic and geometric mean of ' $a$ ' and ' $b$ ', two real, positive and distinct number. Then,

  • $a$ and $b$ are the roots of the equation $x^2-2 A x+G^2=0$.

  • a and b are given by $A \pm \sqrt{(A+G)(A-G)}$.

Proof:

$
\begin{aligned}
& A=\frac{a+b}{2} \Rightarrow 2 A=a+b \\
& G=\sqrt{a b} \Rightarrow G^2=a b
\end{aligned}
$

$a$ and $b$ are the roots of the equation, then

$
\begin{aligned}
& x^2-2(\text { sum of roots }) x+\text { products of roots }=0 \\
& \Rightarrow x^2-(a+b)+a b=0 \\
& \Rightarrow x^2-2 A x+G^2=0
\end{aligned}
$

Roots of the equation are

$
\begin{aligned}
& x=\frac{2 A \pm \sqrt{(-2 A)^2-4 \cdot 1 \cdot G^2}}{2} \\
& x=A \pm \sqrt{(A+G)(A-G)}
\end{aligned}
$

Let the given AP be $a,(a+d),(a+2 d),(a+3 d)$, $\qquad$
And, the GP is $1, r, r^2, r^3$, $\qquad$
Multiplying the corresponding elements of the above progression, we get, $a,(a+d) r,(a+2 d) r^2,(a+3 d) r^3, \ldots \ldots$

This is a standard Arithmetico-Geometric Progression.
Eg: $1,3 x, 5 x^2, 7 x^3, 9 x^4, \ldots \ldots$

The sum of n-terms of an Arithmetic-Geometric Progression

Let $S_n$ denote the sum of $n$ terms of a given sequence. Then,

$
\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{n}}=a+(a+d) r+(a+2 d) r^2+\ldots \ldots+(a+(n-1) d) r^{n-1}
$

Multiply both side of eq (i) by ' r '

$
r \mathrm{~S}_{\mathrm{n}}=a r+(a+d) r^2+(a+2 d) r^3+\ldots+(a+(n-1) d) r^n
$

Subtract eq (ii) from eq (i)

$
\begin{aligned}
& (1-r) \mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{n}}=a+\left[d r+d r^2+d r^3+\ldots .+d r^{n-1}\right]-[a+(n-1) d] r^n \\
& \Rightarrow(1-r) \mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{n}}=a+d r\left(\frac{1-r^{n-1}}{1-r}\right)-[a+(n-1) d] r^n \\
& \Rightarrow \mathbf{S}_{\mathbf{n}}=\frac{\mathbf{a}}{\mathbf{1 - r}}+\mathbf{d r}\left(\frac{\mathbf{1}-\mathbf{r}^{\mathbf{n}-\mathbf{1}}}{(\mathbf{1}-\mathbf{r})^{\mathbf{2}}}\right)-\frac{[\mathbf{a}+(\mathbf{n}-\mathbf{1}) \mathbf{d}] \mathbf{r}^{\mathbf{n}}}{\mathbf{1}-\mathbf{r}}
\end{aligned}
$

The sum of infinte terms of an Arithmetic-Geometric Progression:

The infinite terms can not be solved mentally, so we will have to find a general approach.

Let's denote the AGP by: $a,(a+d) r,(a+2 d) r^2,(a+3 d) r^3, \ldots$
Here, $a$ is the first term of the arithmetic progression, $d$ is the common difference of the arithmetic progression, and $r$ is the common ratio of the geometric progression.

To find the sum of the infinite AGP, we can use the following formula:

$
S=\frac{a}{1-r}+\frac{d r}{(1-r)^2}
$

This is the sum of an infinite arithmetic-geometric progression.

Recommended Video Based on Arithmetico Geometric Progression


Solved Example Based on Arithmetico Geometric Progression

Example 1: $1+3+7+15+31+ . . . . .$ $\qquad$ to $n$ terms
1) $2^{n+1}-n$
2) $2^{n+1}-n-2$
3) $2^n-n-2$
4) None of these

Solution
$
\begin{aligned}
& S_n=1+3+7+15+31+\ldots \ldots+T_n \\
& S_n=\qquad1+3+7+\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots+T_{n-1}+T_n
\end{aligned}
$

Subtracting

$
\begin{aligned}
& 0=1+2+4+8 \ldots(\text { nterms })-T_n \\
& T_n=1 \times \frac{\left(2^n-1\right)}{2-1} \\
& =\left(2^n-1\right) \\
& S_n=\sum_1^n T_n=\sum_1^n 2^n-\sum_1^n 1 \\
& =2\left(2^n-1\right)-n \\
& =2^{n+1}-(n+2)
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Example 2 : S is the sum of the first 9 terms $(x+k a)+\left(x^2+(k+2) a\right)+\left(x^3+(k+4) a\right)+\left(x^4+(k+6) a\right)+\ldots$ where $a \neq 0$ and $x \neq 1$.If $S=\frac{x^{10}-x+45 a(x-1)}{x-1}$ then k is
1) 3
2) 2
3) -3
4) -5

Solution
$
\begin{aligned}
& S=(x+k a)+\left(x^2+(k+2) a\right)+\left(x^3+(k+4) a\right)+\left(x^4+(k+6) a\right)+\ldots \\
& =\left(x+x^2+x^3+---x^9\right)+a(k+(k+2)+(k+4)+\cdots(k+16))
\end{aligned}
$
First series is GP and second series becomes an AP after separ ating k terms .So,

$
=\frac{x\left(x^9-1\right)}{(x-1)}+a[9 k+72]
$
Now, comparing this with

$
S=\frac{x^{10}-x+45 a(x-1)}{x-1}
$
$
\begin{aligned}
& \therefore 9 k+72=45 \\
& k+8=5 \\
& k=-3
\end{aligned}
$

Example 3 : Which of the following is not an AGP?
1) $1,2 x, 3 x^2, 4 x^3$
2) $1,1,3 / 4,1 / 2,5 / 16 \ldots$.
3) $3 a, 5 a^2, 7 a^3$
4) $1,3.2^2, 4.2^3, 5.2^4$

Solution

Options 1 and 3 are AGP
In Option 2, terms can be written as $1,2 / 2,3 / 4,4 / 8,5 / 16 \ldots$ so it is an AGP Option 4 is wrong, as for it to an AGP, the first term should have been 2.2 $(=4)$

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example 4: What is the sum of the first 10 terms of $1.2+2.2^2+3.2^3+\ldots .$.
1) $11.2^{11}+2$
2) $9.2^{11}+2$
3) $11.2^{11}-2$
4) $9.2^{11}-2$

Solution
$
S=1.2+2.2^2+3.2^3+\ldots .10 .2^{10}
$
As the common ratio of the corresponding GP is 2 , so

$
2 S=\quad 1.2^2+2.2^3+\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots . .10 .2^{11}
$
Subtracting these equations

$
\begin{aligned}
& -S=1\left(2+2^2+2^3+\ldots . .+2^{10}\right)-10.2^{11} \\
& S=10.2^{11}-\left(2+2^2+2^3+\ldots . .+2^{10}\right) \\
& S=10.2^{11}-2\left(2^{10}-1\right) \\
& \quad=10.2^{11}-2^{11}+2=9.2^{11}+2
\end{aligned}
$
Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How does the concept of a characteristic equation relate to Arithmetico-Geometric sequences?
A:
The characteristic equation for an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence is x² - (r+1)x + r = 0. The roots
Q: What is the significance of the ratio test in determining the convergence of an Arithmetico-Geometric series?
A:
The ratio test is crucial for determining the convergence of an Arithmetico-Geometric series. By examining the limit of the ratio of consecutive terms as n approaches infinity, we can determine if |r| < 1, which is the condition for convergence. This test provides a quick way to assess the series' behavior.
Q: How can you use the properties of Arithmetico-Geometric sequences to solve related differential equations?
A:
The properties of Arithmetico-Geometric sequences can be used to solve differential equations of the form y' = ky + c, where k and c are constants. The solution to this equation has the form y = Aeᵏˣ + c/k, which is the continuous analog of an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence.
Q: What is the relationship between Arithmetico-Geometric sequences and polynomial-exponential functions?
A:
Arithmetico-Geometric sequences are discrete analogs of polynomial-exponential functions. The general term an = (a + (n-1)d)rⁿ⁻¹ is similar to functions of the form f(x) = (px + q)rˣ, where p, q, and r are constants. This connection helps in understanding the continuous counterparts of these discrete sequences.
Q: How does the concept of a generating function apply to Arithmetico-Geometric sequences?
A:
A generating function for an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence is a power series whose coefficients are the terms of the sequence. It can be expressed as G(x) = Σ(n=1 to ∞) [(a + (n-1)d)rⁿ⁻¹]xⁿ⁻¹. This function encapsulates all the information about the sequence and can be used for various analytical purposes.
Q: Can you explain how to find the sum of an infinite Arithmetico-Geometric series?
A:
To find the sum of an infinite Arithmetico-Geometric series, first ensure that |r| < 1 for convergence. Then, take the limit of the partial sum formula as n approaches infinity: S∞ = lim(n→∞) [(a/1-r) + (d/1-r)((1-rⁿ)/(1-r) - n)]. This simplifies to S∞ = (a/(1-r)) + (d/((1-r)²)).
Q: How does the behavior of an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence change if you alternate the signs of d and r?
A:
Alternating the signs of d and r can create a sequence with more complex behavior. It may lead to oscillations combined with growth or decay, depending on the magnitudes of d and r. This can result in sequences that exhibit both arithmetic-like and geometric-like behaviors in alternating terms.
Q: What is the significance of the quantity d/(r-1) in an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence?
A:
The quantity d/(r-1) represents the difference between the limit of the sequence (when |r| < 1) and the first term. It shows how much the sequence "shifts" from its starting point due to the combined effects of the arithmetic and geometric parts.
Q: How does the rate of change of an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence compare to that of arithmetic and geometric sequences?
A:
The rate of change in an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence is more complex than in pure arithmetic or geometric sequences. It combines the constant difference of arithmetic sequences with the constant ratio of geometric sequences, resulting in a rate of change that itself changes with each term.
Q: What is the importance of the quantity (a + d/1-r) in an Arithmetico-Geometric sequence?
A:
The quantity (a + d/1-r) represents the limit of the sequence when |r| < 1. It combines the initial value (a), the arithmetic growth (d), and the geometric decay (1-r), providing insight into the long-term behavior of the sequence.