IGCSE · Additional Mathematics 0606 · Series & counting

Arithmetic & geometric progressions: IGCSE Additional Mathematics questions with answers

Free Arithmetic & geometric progressions questions for IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606), part of Series & counting. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Arithmetic & geometric progressions practice questions

Question 1Structured · 4 marksA* challenge

The second term of a geometric progression is 18 and the fifth term is 163. Find the first term, the common ratio and the sum to infinity.

[4]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
a = 27, r = ⅔, S∞ = 81
r3 = 163 ÷ 18 = 827 M1
r = ⅔ A1
a = 27 A1
S∞ = 81 A1
4
Question 2Structured · 5 marks

The first term of a geometric progression is 81 and the common ratio is 23.

(a)

Find the sum to infinity.

[2]
(b)

Find the least number of terms whose sum exceeds 99% of the sum to infinity.

[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)243
a ÷ (1 − r) M1
243 A1
2
(b)12
1 − rn > 0.99 M1
logs M1
12 A1
3
Question 3Structured · 3 marks

The first term of an arithmetic progression is 12 and the common difference is 5.

(a)

Find the 30th term.

[1]
(b)

Find the sum of the first 30 terms.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)157
157 B1
1
(b)2535
S = n2(2a + (n − 1)d) M1
2535 A1
2
Question 4Structured · 5 marks

The first term of a geometric progression is 81 and the common ratio is 13.

(a)

Find the sum to infinity.

[2]
(b)

Find the least number of terms whose sum exceeds 99% of the sum to infinity.

[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)121.5
a ÷ (1 − r) M1
121.5 A1
2
(b)5
1 − rn > 0.99 M1
logs M1
5 A1
3
Question 5Structured · 6 marks
(a)

The 3rd term of an arithmetic progression is 15 and the 10th term is 50. Find the first term, the common difference and the sum of the first 20 terms.

[4]
(b)

A geometric progression has first term 57 and common ratio 0.2. Find the sum to infinity.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)a = 5, d = 5, S20 = 1050
Two equations formed M1
d = 5 A1
a = 5 A1
S20 = 1050 A1
4
(b)71.3
a ÷ (1 − r) M1
71.3 A1
2
Question 6Structured · 3 marks

The first term of an arithmetic progression is 9 and the common difference is 4.

(a)

Find the 25th term.

[1]
(b)

Find the sum of the first 25 terms.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)105
105 B1
1
(b)1425
S = n2(2a + (n − 1)d) M1
1425 A1
2

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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in