CAT 2019 Slot 1 — QA Question 12

Geometric ProgressionEasy

If a1 + a2 + a3 + … + an = 3(2n+1 – 2), for every n ≥ 1, then a11 equals 

Answer & solution

Correct answer: 6144

Answer: 6144

Solution

Easy

The given expression is the partial sum Sn=a1+⋯+anS_n = a_1+\dots+a_n. Any single term is recovered as an=Sn−Sn−1a_n = S_n - S_{n-1}. Apply this with n=11n=11.

1

Write the two partial sums. Using Sn=3(2n+1−2)S_n = 3(2^{n+1}-2).

S11=3(212−2)S10=3(211−2)\begin{aligned} &S_{11} = 3(2^{12}-2)\\ &S_{10} = 3(2^{11}-2) \end{aligned}
2

Subtract. a11=S11−S10a_{11}=S_{11}-S_{10}; the constants −2-2 cancel.

a11=3(212−2)−3(211−2)=3(212−211)\begin{aligned} &a_{11} = 3(2^{12}-2) - 3(2^{11}-2) = 3\big(2^{12}-2^{11}\big) \end{aligned}
3

Simplify. Factor 2112^{11} from the bracket.

a11=3⋅211(2−1)=3⋅211=3×2048=6144\begin{aligned} &a_{11} = 3\cdot 2^{11}(2-1) = 3\cdot 2^{11} = 3\times 2048 = 6144 \end{aligned}
a11=6144a_{11} = 6144

Related Geometric Progression questions

See all Progressions questions →
CAT 2019 Slot 1 QA Q12 — Geometric Progression solution | TheCATExam