Concept:

• Common ratio = r = \(\frac{{{{\rm{a}}_2}}}{{{{\rm{a}}_1}}} = \frac{{{{\rm{a}}_3}}}{{{{\rm{a}}_2}}} = \ldots = \frac{{{{\rm{a}}_{\rm{n}}}}}{{{{\rm{a}}_{{\rm{n}} - 1}}}}\)
• nth  term of the G.P. is an = arn−1
• Sum of n terms of GP = sn = \(\frac{{{\rm{a\;}}\left( {{{\rm{r}}^{\rm{n}}} - 1} \right)}}{{{\rm{r}} - {\rm{\;}}1}}\); where r >1
• Sum of n terms of GP = sn = \(\frac{{{\rm{a\;}}\left( {1 - {\rm{\;}}{{\rm{r}}^{\rm{n}}}} \right)}}{{1 - {\rm{\;r}}}}\); where r <1
• Sum of infinite GP = \({{\rm{s}}_\infty } = {\rm{\;}}\frac{{\rm{a}}}{{1{\rm{\;}} - {\rm{\;r}}}}{\rm{\;}}\) ; |r| < 1

Calculation:

Given series is 5, 10, 20, ...

Here, a = 5, r = 2

Sum of n numbers = sn = 1275

As we know that, Sum of n terms of GP = sn = \(\frac{{{\rm{a\;}}\left( {{{\rm{r}}^{\rm{n}}} - 1} \right)}}{{{\rm{r}} - {\rm{\;}}1}}\); where r >1

sn = \(\frac{{{\rm{5\;}}\left( {{{\rm{2}}^{\rm{n}}} - 1} \right)}}{{{\rm{2}} - {\rm{\;}}1}}\)

1275 = 5 × (2n - 1)

⇒ 255 = (2n - 1)

⇒ 2n = 256

⇒ 2n = 28

⇒ n = 8

Thus the correct answer is 8.