Patterns, Sequences, and Series

Lecture Notes

In mathematics, a pattern is set of objects or numbers that follows a common rule. Observe the given pattern
below.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, … <- the pattern is consecutive alphabets

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, … <- the pattern is a multiple of 10
3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, … <- the pattern is addition of 4

Now try to know the next two numbers of these sets of number. Remember to determine the pattern.

If the pattern of the set of numbers is consistent throughout the terms, then you will form a sequence.
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Sequence
A sequence is a list of numbers governed with specific set of rule / pattern:

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, …

The numbers in the list are called the terms of the sequence. In the sequence above, the first term is 2, the
second term is 4, the third term is 8, and so forth, with each successive term being twice the previous term.

How can we figure out the 10th term in this sequence? Well, we could simply continue doubling until we
arrive at the tenth term:

2, 4, 8, 6, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024

However, a better method would be to find a formula for the sequence, i.e. a formula for how the nth term
depends on n . In this case, each term is a power of 2:

21 = 2, 22 = 4 23 = 8 24 = 16 25 = 32, …

In particular, the formula for the nth term of this sequence is 2n . Thus the 10th term must be 210, which is
2014
Ways of Writing a Sequence

It's often clearer when writing a sequence to provide a formula for the nth term immediately.

One method is to include the formula among the list of terms:

2, 4, 8, 16, …, 2n, …

Sometimes, it is convenient to write only the formula for a sequence. The convention is that any formula
surrounded by braces specifies a sequence:
∞
( 2n )n =1 or simply 2n

There is also a convention for discussing sequences abstractly. When talking about a sequence in general,
we will write the terms using variables:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, …

or
T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, …

To avoid running out of different letters, we use the same letter for all the variables (in this case +), with
subscripts to distinguish between different terms. Such a sequence may also be written as an or Tn.

In short, an or Tn simply represent the term found in the nth position.

Sequence can be finite or infinite

Any sequence that has specific number of terns and the last terms is defined are called as finite Sequence,
Such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10; this sequennce has exactly 5 terms and the last term is 10.

Any sequence that has no specific number of terns and the last terms is ends with … are called as infinite
Sequence, Such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10; … this sequence has no definite number of terms since the sequence ends with
ellipses (which means it goes on and on).

General Term of a Sequence

General term is simply the pattern rule of a sequence. General term of any sequence can be acquired by
following these two conditions.

CONDITION 1 CONDITION 2
“Common pattern is seen in the first set of “Common pattern is seen after the sets of
differences” differences”
2
NOTE: It’s general form is dn +a = an NOTE: Its general form is an +bn +c = an
Where: Where:
d = common difference a, b, and c = any coefficient
n = the nth position of a term n = the nth position of a term
a = any constant

In order to determine the general term of any sequence, one can simply follow the following steps:
For Condition 1 : Find the general term for 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, …

STEP 1: Find the common difference. = each term is being added by 3, does d = 3
STEP 2: Set-up the general equation using the
General form dn +a = an = since d is equal to 3, then plugging it to
the general form, we will have 3n +a = an.
STEP 3: Find the value of a by using any term and nth
position of the sequence = let use the 1st term, a1, which is 4. Plugged
it in the equation and solve for a. a1 = 4, n -1
dn +a = an
3(1) +a = 4
3 +a = 4
a = 4 -3
a=1
STEP 4: Plug d and a to the general term’s form to
Construct the general term’s equation. = since d = 3 and a = 1, then dn +a = an will
become 3n +1 = an.

Double check the general term if it will give the terms to the original sequence.

Sequence is 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and the general term is 3n +!= a n

n= 1 2 3 4 5
3n +1 = an 3n +1 = an 3n +1 = an 3n +1 = an 3n +1 = an
Solution 3(1)+1 3(2)+1 3(3)+1 3(4)+1 3(5)+1
3 +1 6 +1 9 +1 12 +1 15 +1
an 4√ 7√ 10 √ 13 √ 16 √

All checks in! The general term is correct.

For Condition 2 : Find the general term for 1, 2, 5, 10, 17, …

STEP 1: Find the common difference. The number of differences formed will tell you the highest degree
of its general term.

Since there are two

difference, then the
highest degree of its
general term is 2, thus
The general form is
an2 +bn +c = an

STEP 2: Create three equations by taking the first three terms of the sequence and plug it in general
form created in STEP 1. Let n be the nth position for the first three terms.

Equation 3

Equation 2
Equation 1
STEP 3: Solve for a, b, and c.
 PART 1: Solve for a by doing (equation 3 – equation 2) – (equation 2 – equation 1)
= [(9a +3b +c=5) – (4a +2b +c=2)] – [(4a +2b +c=2) – (a +b +c = 1)]
= (5a +b = 3) – (3a +b = 1)
= 2a = 2
=a=1

PART 2 : Solve for b by substituting it to any difference of (equation 3 – equation 2) or

(equation 2 – equation 1) and then evaluate.
For this part, let use use (equation 2 – equation 1) which has a difference of
3a +b =1. Since a = 1;
= 3a +b = 1
= 3(1) +b = 1
= 3 +b = 1
= b = 1 -3
= b = -2

PART 3 : Solve for c by substituting a and b to any equations.

For this part, let’s use equation 1 which is a +b +c = 1. Since a = 1 and b = -2:
= a +b +c = 1
= 1 +(-2) +c = 1
= -1 +c = 1
= c = 1 +1
=c=2

STEP 4: Write the general term by plugging a, b, and c to the general term form.
Since a = 1, b = -2, and c = 2; then:
= an2 + bn +c = an
= 1n2 + (-2)n +2 = an
n2 -2n +2= an <- general term.

Double check the general term if it will give the terms to the original sequence.

Sequence is 1, 2, 5, 10, 17 and the general term is n 2 -2n +2= an

n= 1 2 3 4 5
n -2n +2
2
n -2n +2
2
n -2n +2
2
n -2n +2
2
n -2n +2
2

Solution 12 – 2(1) +2 22 – 2(2) +2 32 – 2(3) +2 42 – 2(4) +2 52 – 2(5) +2

1 – 2 +2 4 – 4 +2 9 -6 +2 16 -8 +2 25 -10 +2
an 1√ 2√ 5√ 10 √ 17 √

All checks in! The general term is correct.

Kinds of Sequence

1.) Arithmetic Sequence

- the pattern or rule is addition.

2.) Geometric Sequence

- the pattern or rule is multiplication.
-
3.) Special Sequence
- these are sequences that has special pattern or rules from term to term or for the entire sets of
terms.

Kinds of Special Sequence

a.) Fibonacci Sequence – the succeeding terms is the sum of the two terms preceding to it.
 EXAMPLE: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, …

b.) Harmonic Sequence – a sequence that is the reciprocal of the arithmetic sequence.

EXAMPLE : if the arithmetic sequence is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, …, then the harmonic sequence

1 1 1 1 1
will be , , , , ,…
4 5 6 7 8

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
It is a sequence having a common difference. Common difference, denoted as d, is a constant number that is being
repeatedly added to each and every succeeding term.

common difference

FORMULA OF ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

an = a1+(n -1)d
Where
an = nth term to solve n = nth position of the nth term d = common different
a1 = first term of the sequence note: the n of an and n in the formula are equal. d≠0

1. EXAMPLES: Solve for the an.

a.) a1 = 7, d = 2, a9 = ? b.) a1 = -12, d = 5, a6 = ? 1
c.) a1 = , d = -3, a7 = ?
2
an = a1+(n -1)d an = a1+(n -1)d an = a1+(n -1)d
a9 = 7+(9 -1)2 a6 = -12+(6 -1)5 1
a9 = 7+(8)2 a6 = -12+(5)5 a7 = +(7 -1)-3
2
a9 = 7+16 a6 = -12+25 1
a9 = 23 a6 = 13 a7 = +(6)-3
2
Double Checking by listing Double Checking by listing 1
a7 = +(-18)
7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 -12, -7, -2, 3, 8, 13 2
−35 1
a7 = ∨−18
2 2

Double Checking by listing

1 −5 −11 −17 −23 −29
, , , , , ,
2 2 2 2 2 2
−35
2

2.) EXAMPLES: Find d for the following sequence.

a.) a1 = 3, a4 = 21, d = ? b.) a1 = -10, a8 = 1, d = ? c.) a1 = 2x +6, a8 = 9x -1, d = ?
an = a1+(n -1)d an = a1+(n -1)d an = a1+(n -1)d
a4 = a1+(4 -1)d a8 = a1+(8 -1)d a7 = a1+(8 -1)d
21 = 3+(3)d 1 = -10+(7)d 9x -1 = 2x +6 +(7)d
21 -3 = 3d 1 +10 = 7d 9x -1 – 2x -6 = 7d
 18 = 3d 11 = 7d 7x -7= 7d
d=6 11 d = x -1
d=
7

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
It is a sequence having a common ratio. Common ratio, denoted as r, is a constant number that is being repeatedly added
to each and every succeeding term.

common ratio

FORMULA OF GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE:

an = a1 · rn-1
Where
an = nth term to solve n = nth position of the nth term r = common ratio
a1 = first term of the sequence note: the n of an and n in the formula are equal. r≠0

1. EXAMPLES: Solve for the an.

a.) a1 = 3, r = 2, a5 = ? b.) a1 = -2, r = -4, a4 = ? 1
c.) a1 =200, r = , a7 = ?
2
an = a1 · rn -1 an = a1 · rn -1 an = a1 · rn -1
a5 = 3 · 25 -1 a4 = -2 · (-4)4 -1 1
a7 = 200 · ( )7 -1
a5 = 3 · 24 a4 = -2 · (-4)3 2
a5 = 3 · 16 a4 = -2 · (-64) 1
a7 = 200 · ( )6
a5 = 48 a4 = 128 2
1
Double Checking by listing Double Checking by listing a7 = 200 ·
64
3, 6, 12, 24, 48 -2, 8, -32, 128 200 25
a7 = ∨
64 8

Double Checking by listing

25 25 25
200, 100, 50, 25, , ,
2 4 8

2.) EXAMPLES: Find r for the following sequence.

a.) a1 = 4, a4 = 256, r = ? 8 c.) a1 = -1, a12 = 1, r = ?
b.) a1 = 8, a6 = ,r=?
243
a n = a1 · rn -1
an = a1 · r n -1
an = a1 · rn -1
a4 = a1 · r4 -1 a6 = a1 · r6 -1 a12 = a1 · r12 -1
256 = 4 · r4 -1 8 1 = -1 · r11
= 8 · r5
64 = r3 243 -1 = r11
√3 64 = √3 r 3 1
= r5 √−1 = 11√ r 11
11

r=4 243 r =-1

5 1

√243
=√ 5 5
r
 1
r=
3

ARITHMETIC MEAN AND GEOMETRIC MEAN

Arithmetic mean and geometric mean is the term or are the terms found between two terms. There is actually
no single way or constant way to solve for arithmetic mean and geometric mean.

To solve for arithmetic mean if you only need to find a term between two terms
= add the two given terms and divide the result by two

To solve for arithmetic mean if you need to solve a set of terms between two terms.
= find d and perform listing method
To solve for the geometric mean if you need to find a term or number of terms between two terms, simply use
this formula (NOTE: this does not always apply to all conditions)

Series
A series is a sum of terms in a sequence. Series is denoted as Sn and read as “the sum up to the nth term”

Series can be finite or infinite

Finite series has a specific sum. We know how many terms were added and the sum and defined.
Infinite series has no specific sum. We don’t know how many terms were actually added to get a sum.
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ARITHMETIC SERIES
Arithmetic series is the sum of terms from arithmetic sequence. We can solve for the sum using the formula:
(note: arithmetic series needs both the first and last term of the sequence to get the sum)
n ( a 1 + an )
Sn =
2
Where
Sn = sum of the terms up to the nth term a1 = first term of the arithmetic sequence
an = last term or the term in the nth position n = nth position of the term

If ever the first term and or last term is missing, calculate these values first.

1. EXAMPLES: Solve for the Sn.

a.) a1 = 12, d = 8, S20 = ? b.) If the sum of first twelve terms, with a first term
of -14, is 30, what is the a12 term of the sequence?
We need a20 to solve for S20, we need to solve for
a20 first. n ( a 1 + an )
Sn =
an = a1+(n -1)d
2
a20 = 12+(20 -1)8 12(−14+ a12)
S12=
a20 = 12+(19)8 2
a20 = 12+152 12 (−14+ a12 )
a20 = 164 30=
2
 n ( a 1 + an ) 60 = -168 + 12a12
Sn = 60 +168 = 12a12
2 228 = 12a12
20(12+164) S20 = 19
S20=
2
20(178)
S20=
2
S20 = 1,780

c.) When the first term of the arithmetic sequence d.) Determine S10 when a1 = x +2 and a10 = 2x -15.
is 15, express the series for its Sn.

We need to solve for Sn, thus we have no definite n ( a 1 + an )

number of terms to be added. This problem is an Sn =
example of infinite series.
2
1 0( x+ 2+ 2 x−15)
S1 0=
2
n ( a 1 + an ) 1 0 ( 3 x−13 )
Sn = S10=
2 2
n (15+an ) S10 = 5(3x -13)
Sn= S10 = 15x - 45
2
15 n+n a n
Sn =
2

GEOMETRIC SERIES
Geometric series is the sum of terms from geometric sequence. The geometric series has two formula,
depending if the problem is meant for finite series or infinite series. We can solve for the sum using the
formula: (note: only needs the first term and the common ratio)

FINITE GEOMETRIC SERIES INFINITE GEOMETRIC SERIES

a 1(1−r n ) a1
Sn = Sn=
1−r 1−r
Where Where
a1 = first term a1 = first term
r = common ration, r ≠ 0 r = common ration, -1 < r < 1

. EXAMPLES: Solve for the Sn.

a.) a1 = -2, r = 3, S9 = ? b.) Find the sum of the geometric sequence if the
2
first term is 4 and r = .
3
Since we need to solve for the sum up to the 9th
term, then this is a finite series. Since there is no indication the number of terms to
be added, this problem will be treated as infinite
a 1( 1−r )
n series. As well, the r is less than 1 but greater than
Sn= -1.
1−r
a 1( 1−r )
9
a1
S9 = Sn =
1−r 1−r
 −2 ( 1−3 9 ) 4
S9 = Sn=
1−3 2
1−
−2 ( 1−3 9 ) 3
S9 = 4
−2 Sn=
S9 = 1 - 3 9 1
S9 = 1 – 19,683 3
S9 = -19,682 S20 = 12
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SUMMATION NOTATION
Summation notation, also know as sigma notation, is a
series of any given sequence. It is denoted using a Greek
letter sigma, “∑”.

The notation:
NOTE: EACH TERMS IN THE SEQUENCE FORMED IS TO BE ADDED.
How it works?

Function / expression
These bounds means
to be evaluated
Plug the variable starting Sequence formed from
at the lowe value and
succeedingly do so
until you reach the
evualating each and
upper bound. Here,
it says from 1 to 6.
every value from lower
bound
to upper bound by
subsitution.
EXAMPLES: Find the sum of the following summation notation.
8 6
1.) ∑4x = 4(5) + 4(6) + 4(7) + 4(8) 2.) ∑ 2 = 2 + 2 +2 +2 +2 +2
x=5 a =1
= 20 + 24 + 28 + 32 = 12
= 104

4 2
2
3.) ∑ ( n+1 ) = (2 +1)2 +(3 +1)2 +(4 +1)2 4.) ∑ m3 = (-1)3 +03 +13 +23
n =2 m=−1
= 32 +42 +52 = -1 + 0 + 1 + 8
= 9 +16 +25 =8
= 50

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APPLICATIONS OF SEQUENCE AND SERIES
Word Problems for Sequence and Series

Visit this web page for practice and full lecture of the word problem.
https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra1/Functions/FNSequencesWordPractice.html