1

SERIES
Contents

1. Series

7.1 Definition
7.2 Types of Series
7.2.1 Arithmetic Series
7.2.2 Geometric Series
7.2.3 Series of squares and cubes
7.2.4 Mixed series
7.2.5 Two tier Arithmetic series
7.2.6 Three tier Arithmetic series
7.2.7 Arithmetico-Geometric series
7.2.8 Geometrico-Arithmetic series
7.2.9 Twin series
7.3 Suggested Steps for solving series problems
7.4 Different types of problems on Series
7.4.1 Finding the next term
7.4.2 Finding wrong/missing number
7.4.3 Two line number series
7.5 Some unique series
 2

7. SERIES
7.1 Definition
A Series is a sequence of numbers obtained by some particular predefined rule. By applying
that predefined rule it is possible to find out the next term of the series.
7.2 Types of Series
A series can be created in many ways:
7.2.1 Arithmetic Series: An arithmetic series is one in which successive numbers are
obtained by adding (or subtracting) a fixed number to the previous number. For example,
(i) 5, 7, 9, 11, …….
(ii) 35, 31, 27, 23, 19, 15, …… etc.
7.2.2 Geometric Series: A geometrical series is one in which each successive number is
obtained by multiplying (or dividing) the previous number by a fixed number. For example,
(i) 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, …….
(ii) 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, …
(iii) 3125, 625, 125, 25, 5, …..

7.2.3 Series of squares, cubes etc: These series can be formed by squaring or cubing a
sequence of numbers. For example:
(i) 2, 4, 16, 256…….
(ii) 3, 9, 81 6561, ……
(iii) 2, 8, 512, …… etc.

7.2.4 Mixed Series: A mixed series is basically the one we need to have a sound practice of
because it is generally the mixed series which is asked in the examination. By a mixed series,
we mean a series which is created according to any non-conventional (but logical) rule.
Because there is no limitation to people’s imagination, there are infinite ways in which a
series can be created and naturally it is not possible to club together all of them. Still we are
giving examples of some more popular ways of creating these mixed series.
7.2.5 Two-tier Arithmetic Series: We have seen that in an arithmetic series the difference
of any two successive numbers is fixed. A Two-tier Arithmetic Series shall be the one in which
the differences of successive numbers themselves form an arithmetic series. For example:
(i) 1, 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, 37
(ii) 3, 5, 9, 15, 23, 33, … etc
Two-tier arithmetic series can be denoted as a quadratic function. For example, for the above
series:
+ 1, + 1, +1, + 1,…..which can be denoted as f(x) = + 1,
where x = 0, 1, 2, ….
Similarly example (ii) can be denoted as:
F(x) = + x + 3, x = 0, 1, 2, 3,….
7.2.6 Three-tier Arithmetic Series: This, as the name suggests, is a series in which the
differences of successive numbers form a two-tier arithmetic series; whose successive terms’
differences, in turn, form an arithmetic series.
For example:
336, 210, 120, 60, 24, 6, 0, ….
 3

[The differences of successive terms are: 126, 90, 60, 36, 18, 6,……The differences of
successive terms of this new series are: 36, 30, 24, 18, 12, …which is an arithmetic series.]
Three-tier arithmetic series can be denoted as a cubic function.
For example, the above series is (from right end) 1, 2, 3, 4,…..which can
also be denoted as f(x) = x; x = 1, 2, …..
7.2.7 Arithmetico-Geometric Series: In this type each successive term should be found by
first adding a fixed number to the previous term and then multiplying it by another fixed
number. For example
1, 6, 21, 66, 201…….
(Each successive term is obtained by first adding 1 to the previous term
and then multiplying it by 3).
The differences of successive numbers would be in Geometric Progression:
In this case, the successive differences are 5, 15, 45, 135, ….. which are in GP.
7.2.8 Geometrico-Arithmetic Series : A geometric-arithmetic series is the one in which
each successive term is found by first multiplying (or dividing) the previous term by a fixed
number and then adding (or deducting) another fixed number.
For example:
3, 4, 7, 16, 43, 124, …..
(Each successive term is obtained by first multiplying the previous
number by 3 and then subtracting 5 from it.).
The differences of successive numbers would be in geometric progression:
In this case, the successive differences are 1, 3, 9, 27, 81, …. which are in GP.
7.2.9 Twin Series: We shall call these twin series, because they are two series packed in
one.
For example:
1, 3, 5, 1, 9, 3, 13, 11, 17, ……
(The first, third, fifth, etc. terms are 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 which is an arithmetic series. The second,
fourth, sixth etc. are 3, 1, 3, 11 which is a geometrico-arithmetic series in which
successive terms are obtained by multiplying the previous term by 2 and then subtracting 5.)

Numerous other series are possible and it is impossible to even think of (let alone write them
down) all of them. It is only through a lot of practice and by keeping abreast with the latest
trends that one can expect to master the series.
7.3 Suggested Steps for Solving Series Problems
Despite the fact that it is extremely difficult to lay down all possible combinations of series,
still, if you follow the following step-by-step approach, you may solve a series question easily
and quickly.
Step I: Do a preliminary screening of the series. If it is a simple series you will be able
to solve it easily.
Step II: If you fail in preliminary screening then determine the trend of the series.
Determine whether it is increasing, decreasing or alternating.
Step III (A): Perform this step only if a series is increasing or decreasing. Use the following
rules:
1. If the rise of a series is slow or gradual, the series is likely to have an addition-
based increase; successive numbers are obtained by adding some numbers.
 4

2. If the rise of a series is very sharp initially but slows down later on, the series is
likely to be formed by adding squared or cubed numbers.
3. If the rise of a series is throughout equally sharp, the series is likely to be
multiplication-based; successive terms are obtained by multiplying by some
terms (and, may be, some addition or subtraction could be there, too).
4. If the rise of a series is irregular and haphazard there may be two possibilities.
Either there may be a mix of two series or two different kinds of operations
may be going on alternately. (The first is more likely when the increase is very
irregular: the second is more likely when there is a pattern, even in the
irregularity of the series).
Step III (B): (to be performed when the series is alternating).[Same as 4 of step(iii) check
two possibilities.]

7.4 Different Type of Problems on Series

7.4.1 Finding the next term
Example: Find the next number of the series of 4, -8, 16, -32, 64.
Solution: Each previous term is multiplied by -2.
Next term = -128.
Example: Find the next number of the series of 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49.
Solution: The series is , , ….
Next term = = 64
Example: Find the next number of the series of 1,3, 6,10,15,21.
Solution: The series is +2,+3,+4,+5,+6,+7.
Next term = 21+7 = 28
Example: Find the next number of the series of 8, 8, 9, 9, 11, 10, 14, 11.
Solution: Irregular, very irregular. Therefore likely to bee mixed. On checking it is a mix
of two series:
8, 9, 11, 14,(+1, +2, +3 etc.) and 8, 9, 10, 11.
Next term = 14 + 4 = 18.
Example: Find the next number of the series of 325, 259, 204, 160, 127, 105.
Solution: Gradual slow decrease. Likely to be arithmetical decrease. Check the
differences of successive terms. They are: 66, 55, 44, 33, 22. Hence, next
decrease will be 11.
Next term = 105 – 11 = 94.
Example: Find the next number of the series of 16, 17, 21, 30, 46, 71.
Solution: Preliminary screening tells us that each term is obtained by adding , ,
, , …., respectively.
Next term = 71 + = 107
Example: Find the next number of the series of 3, 3, 6, 18, 72, 360.
Solution: Sharp increase. The series is: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ….
Next term = 360 6 = 2160.
 5

Example: Find the next number of the series of 2, 4, 22, 58, 118, 208.
Solution: Series increases sharply but then its speed of rise slows down. Likely to be
addition of squared or cubed numbers. On checking, the series is: 3,
, …..
Next term = = 334
7.4.2 Finding wrong / missing number
Finding the wrong number in a series is very easy once you have mastered the art of
understanding how the series is formed. On studying a given series and applying the concepts
employed so far you should be able to understand and thus “decode” the formation of the
series. This should not prove very difficult because usually six terms are given and it means
that at least five correct terms are given. This should be sufficient to follow the series.
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
3, 9, 18, 54, 110, 324, 648
Solution: 110; (Multiply by 3 and 2 alternately)
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
895, 870, 821, 740, 619, 445, 225
Solution: 445; (reduce the successive numbers by , , , , -----)
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
196, 168, 143, 120, 99, 80, 63
Solution: 196; (Add 17, 19, 21, 23, ------- to the successive numbers from right)
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
6072, 1008, 200, 48, 14, 5, 3
Solution: 1008; (From RHS; 3 1+2=5; 5 2+4=14; 14 3+6=48; 48 4+8=200;
200 5+10=1010)
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
2807, 1400, 697, 347, 171, 84, 41, 20
Solution: 347 ;( 20 2+1; 41 2+2=84; 84 2+3=171 ;------)
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
2185, 727, 241, 79, 30, 7, 1
Solution: 30; [(2185 4) 3=727; (727 4) 3 = 241; (241 4) 3=79; ------].
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
1, 2, 7, 34, 202, 1420
Solution: 202; [ ---]
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
5, 8, 20, 42, 124, 246, 736
Solution: 20; [Series is
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
3, 6, 10, 20, 33, 62, 94
Solution: 33; [Series is ]
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
1, 2, 6, 144, 2880, 86400, 3628800
 6

Solution: 6; [Series is 1 2, , 3 , , , ……]

Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
1, 3, 10, 29, 74, 172, 382
Solution: 172; [Series is 2+1, 2+4, 2+9, 2+16, 2 +25,……]
Example: Which of the following does not fit in the series?
1, 1, 1, 4, 2, 1, 9, 5, 1, 16
Solution: 5; [Series is , , , , , , , , , , ……]
7.4.3 Two-line number series
In this type of number series, one complete series is given while the other is incomplete. Both
the series have the same definite rule.
Applying the very definite rule of the complete series, you have to determine the required
number of the incomplete series.
Example: 4 14 36 114 460
2 a b c d e
Find the value of e.
Solution: The first series is 1+10, 2+8, 3+6, 4+4, …..
a = 2 1+10 = 12, b =12 2+8= 32, c = 32 3+6 = 102, d = 102 4+4 =
412, and finally e = 412 5+2 = 2062.
Example: 1296 864 576 384 256
1080 a b c d e
What is the value of c ?
Solution: The first series 3 2
a = 1080 3 2=720, b = 720 3 2 = 480, and
c = 480 3 2 = 320.
Example: 27 44 71 108 155
34 a b c d e
What value should replace e?
Solution: The differences of two successive terms of the series are 17, 27, 37, 47.
a = 34+ 17 = 51, b = 51+27 = 78, c = 78 + 37 = 115, d = 115 + 47 = 162,
and finally e = 162 + 57 = 219.
Example: 4 – 2 1 8 31
1 a b c d e
Find the value of b.
Solution: The series is repeated as 2+6 and 3+7 alternately.
a = 1 2 + 6 = 4 and b = 4 3 + 7 = 19.
Example: 5 8 41 33 57 42 61
3 4 a b c d e
Find the value of d.
Solution: This is an alternate number series having two series:
= 5 41 57 61.
The differences between two successive terms are 36(= ), 16
(= ), 4(= ); and
= 8 33 42
The differences between two successive terms are 25(= ), 9(= )
 7

Example: 220 96 347 77 516 60 733

68 a b c d e
What is the value of d?
Solution: Clearly, this number series is of the alternate type. So to find out the value of
d, we are only concerned about the series A1 = 220 347 516 733
Here , 220 = 63 + 4, 347 = 73 + 4, 516 = 83 + 4, 733 = 93 + 4
Now, we get (68 – 4)1/3 = (43)1/3=4
So, b = (4 + 1=)53 + 4 = 129 and d = (5 + 1 =)63 + 4 = 220
Example: 3 6 24 72 144 576
1 a b c d e
What value should replace e?
Solution: The series is 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, …..
a = 1 2 = 2, b = 2 4 = 8, c = 8 3 = 24, d = 24 2 = 48, e = 48 4 =
192
The property of the first series is direct repeated multiplication by 2, 4 and 3.
So, we can find out directly as e = one-third of the corresponding number of
the first series, i.e. = 192

Example: 575 552 533 518 507

225 a b c d e
Find the value of e.
Solution: The difference of the successive terms of the first series are 23, 19, 15, 11.
a = 225 – 23 = 202, b = 202 – 19 = 183, c = 183 – 15 = 168, d = 168 – 11
= 157, and e = 157 – (11 – 4 )= 150.
Example: 9 19 39 79 159
7 a b c d e
What is the value of e?
Solution: The series is 2 + 1, i.e. 9 2 + 1 = 19,
19 2 + 1 = 39, 39 2 + 1= 79, and 79 2 + 159
a = 7 2 + 1 =15, b = 15 2 + 1= 31, c = 31 2 + 1 = 63, d = 63 2+
1= 127, and e = 127 2 + 1 = 255
7.5 Some unique series
 Some numbers followed by their LCM or HCF
Example: Fill up the blank: 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 5, 6, 60, 5, 6, 7, ………
Solution: The series can be separated in three parts. 1, 2, 3, 6/4, 5, 6, 60/5, 6, 7 …… In
each part fourth number is LCM of first three numbers. Thus the answer should
be 210.
Example: Fill up the blank: 8, 6, 24, 7, 3, 21, 5, 4, 20, ….., 9, 18
1)1 2)3 3)4 4)5 5)6
Solution: 8, 6, 24/7, 3, 21/5, 4, 20/__, 9, 18
Third number in each part is LCM of first two numbers. Thus, the answer should
be 6.
Example: Fill up the blank: 8, 4, 4, 7, 8, 1, 3, 9, 3, 2, 1, ……
 8

1)1 2)2 3)3 4)5 5) None of these

Solution: 8, 4, 4/7, 8, 1/3, 9, 3/2, 1…..
In each part, third number is HCF of first two numbers. Thus our answer should
be 1.
 Some numbers followed by their product
Example: Which of the following numbers does not fit into the series?
2, 3, 6, 18, 108, 1844
Solution: 2 3=6
3 6 = 18
6 18 = 108
18 108 = 1944
Thus, 1844 is wrong.
Example: Fill up the blank: 5, 7, 35, 8, 9, 72, 11, 12, 132, __, 3, 6.
Solution: 5, 7, 35/8, 9, 72/11, 12, 132/2, 3, 6
In each group third number is the result of multiplication of first and second
numbers. Thus our answer is 2.
 By use of digit-sum
Example: Which of the following numbers does not fit into the series?
14, 19, 29, 40, 44, 51, 59, 73
Solution: Next number = Previous number + Digit-sum of previous number. Like, 19 =
14 + (4+1)
20 = 19 + (1+9)
40 = 29 + (2+9)
Thus, we see that 51 should be replaced by 52.
Example: Fill up the blanks:14, 5, 18, 9, 22, 4, 26, 8, 30, 3, ___, ___.
Solution: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th,….. numbers follow the pattern of +4 (14+4 = 18, 18 + 4 =
22,…..). Whereas 2nd, 4th, 6th are the digit-sums of their respective previous
numbers (5 = 1 + 4, 9 = 1 + 8,……). Thus, our answer is 34 and 7.
 Prime numbers
Example: Find the number which doesn’t fit in the following series or group.
22, 44, 88, 132, 165, 191, 242.
Solution: 191; others are divisible by 11 or 191 is the single prime number.
Example: Which one of the following series doesn’t fit into the series?
29, 31, 37, 43, 47, 51, 53
Solution: 51; All other are prime numbers.