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Arithmetico-geometric series

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An arithmetico-geometric series is the sum of consecutive terms in an arithmetico-geometric sequence defined as: x_n=a_ng_n, where a_n and g_n are the nth terms of arithmetic and geometric sequences, respectively.

Contents

Finite Sum

The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetico-geometric sequence is \frac{a_ng_{n+1}}{r-1}-\frac{x_1}{r-1}-\frac{d(g_{n+1}-g_2)}{(r-1)^2}, where d is the common difference of a_n and r is the common ratio of g_n. Or, \frac{a_ng_{n+1}-x_1-drS_g}{r-1}, where S_g is the sum of the first n terms of g_n.

Proof:

x_n=(a_1+d(n-1))(g_1\cdot r^{n-1})

Let S_n represent the sum of the first n terms. S_n=a_1g_1+(a_1+d)(g_1r)+(a_1+2d)(g_1r^2)+\ldots+(a_1+(n-1)d)(g_1r^{n-1})

S_n=a_1g_1+(a_1+dg_1)r+(a_1g_1+2dg_1)r^2+\ldots+(a_1g_1+(n-1)dg_1)r^{n-1}

rS_n=a_1g_1r+(a_1+dg_1)r^2+(a_1g_1+2dg_1)r^3+\ldots+(a_1g_1+(n-1)dg_1)r^{n}

rS_n-S_n=-a_1g_1-dg_1r-dg_1r^2-dg_1r^3-\ldots-dg_1r^{n-1}+(a_1g_1+(n-1)dg_1)r^n

S_n(r-1)=(a_1+(n-1)d)g_1r^n-a_1g_1-\frac{dg_1r(r^{n-1}-1)}{r-1}

S_n=\frac{(a_1+(n-1)d)g_1r^n}{r-1}-\frac{a_1g_1}{r-1}-\frac{dg_1r(r^{n-1}-1)}{(r-1)^2}=\frac{a_ng_{n+1}}{r-1}-\frac{x_1}{r-1}...

Infinite Sum

The sum of an infinite arithmetico-geometric sequence is \frac{dg_2}{(1-r)^2}+\frac{x_1}{1-r}, where d is the common difference of a_n and r is the common difference of g_n (|r|<1). Or, \frac{drS_g+x_1}{1-r}, where S_g is the infinite sum of the g_n.

S=a_1g_1+(a_1+d)(g_1r)+(a_1+2d)(g_1r^2)+\ldots

rS=a_1g_1r+(a_1+dg_1)r^2+(a_1g_1+2dg_1)r^3+.\,.\,.

rS-S=-a_1g_1-dg_1r-dg_1r^2-dg_1r^3-\ldots=-a_1g_1+\frac{dg_1r}{r-1}

S=\frac{dg_1r}{(r-1)^2}-\frac{a_1g_1}{r-1}=\frac{dg_2}{(r-1)^2}-\frac{x_1}{r-1}=\frac{dg_2}{(1-r)^2}+\frac{x_1}{1-r}

Example Problems

See Also

Looking for a challenging algebra text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams?
Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra by Richard Rusczyk.
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