How to Ace Sequences and Series
Sequences and series mainly cover arithmetic progression, geometric progression and harmonic progression. These, along with some other special series can be very frustrating to many IIT aspirants, as they require cumbersome calculations and predictions which may go wrong most of the times. However, the formulae are easy to remember, but difficult to apply. The arithmetic progression or AP contains the maximum type of questions, therefore varieties are also present in it. The questions asked are not usually formulae based and require the ability to predict the series by understanding. They usually consume much time and a lot of practice is required to proceed in the correct direction. The experience required comes from gradually increasing the level of practice problems and even then a lot of intuition is required to complete it. Sometimes, algorithms can be developed for approaching a certain type of problem, but they fail too easily if the series has changed even a little.
In the olden pattern, the JEE used to contain many long questions about the series, but since the change in pattern, it has been converted into small questions which can be completed in a reasonable time. Therefore, it is advisable to master the easy questions involving small tricks and not waste too much time trying to crack hard questions which have no chance of coming in the JEE. This topic is usually taught well in the coaching institutions and relevant questions can also be obtained from the study material provided. Selective study is the best way to approach it and remember that most of the other aspirants also find this topic tough, so don’t be discouraged if you are not able to solve a problem.
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