(Effective Alternative Secondary Education)

MATHEMATICS II
Y

MODULE 4
Searching for Patterns in Sequences,
Arithmetic, Geometric and Others

BUREAU OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

Department of Education
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenu, Pasig City

Module 4
 Searching for Patterns in Sequences, Arithmetic,
Geometric and others

What this module is about

This module is about geometric sequence. As you go over the exercises,

you will develop skills in identifying a geometric sequence and ability to give the
first few terms of the sequence. Treat the lesson with fun and take time to go
back if you think you are at a loss.

What you are expected to learn

This module is designed for you to:

 demonstrate knowledge and skills related to geometric sequence and

apply these in solving problems.

 describe a geometric sequence in any of the following ways:

 Giving the first few terms of the sequence

 Giving the formula for the nth term

How much do you know

Tell whether or not each number sequence is a geometric sequence. For

those that are geometric sequence, give the common ratio.

1. 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, . . .

2. 512, 128, 32, 8, 4, . . .
3. 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, . . .
4. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, . . .
5. 16, 24, 36, 54, 81, . . .
6. 40.5, 13.5, 4.5, 1.5. . . .

2
 1 1 1
7. , , , 1, 2, . . .
8 4 2
1 1 1 1 1
8. , , , , , ...
2 3 4 5 6
9. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, . . .
10. 1, 3, 9, 27, 81, . . .

B. Review the following sequences, tell which are geometric and arithmetic
sequences. State their common ratio or common difference.

1. 100, -50, 25, -12,5, . . .

2. 1, 2, 4, 8, . . .
3. 40, 20, 10 5, . . .
4. -10, -5, 0, 5, 10, . . .
5. 5, 15, 45, 135, . . .
6. 1, -3, 9, -27, 81, . . .
7. 25, 21, 17, 13, . . .
8. 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, . . .
3 5 7
9. , 2, , 3, , . . .
2 2 2
1 1 2
10. , , ,...
2 3 9

C. Write the next two terms of the following geometric sequences.

1. 2, 14, 98, . . .
2. -2, -6, -18, . . .
3. -5, 10, -20, . . .
4. 1, 4, 16, . . .
5. 7, 3.5, 1.75, . . .
1
6. 3, 1, ,...
3
7. 0.8, 0.08, 0.008, . . .
1 1 1
8. , , , ...
2 4 8
9. 3 , 3, 3 3

3
 10. a, 11ax, 121ax, . . .

What you will do

Lesson 1

The First Few Terms of a Geometric Sequence

Making one fold on a sheet of a paper, you can form two rectangles. Now
fold the paper again, and count the rectangles formed (count only the smallest
rectangle as shown below). Continue this process until you can no longer fold
the paper.

1 2 4 8 16

The number of rectangles formed produce a geometric sequence,

1, 2, 4, 8, 16, . . .

Notice that each term after the first may be formed by multiplying the
previous term by 2.

A geometric sequence or progression is a set of terms in which each term

after the first is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by the same fixed
number called the common ratio which is commonly represented by r.

The common ratio may be integral or fractional, negative or positive, and it

can be found by dividing any term by the term that precedes is.

3, 9, 27, . . . is a geometric sequence, 3 is multiplied to any term to get the

next term.

Therefore, we can say that 3 is the common ratio.

Examples:

4
1. Determine whether each sequence is geometric . If so, find the common
ratio.

a. 2, 4, 6, 8, . . .

2 is being added to each term to get the next term. Therefore, the
sequence is an arithmetic sequence. The common difference is 2

b. 2, 4, 8, 16, . . .

2 is being multiplied to each term to get the next term. Therefore, the
sequence is a geometric sequence. The common ratio is 2.

1 1 1 1
c. , , , , ...
3 9 27 81

1
is being multiplied to each term to get the next term. Therefore, the
3
1
sequence is a geometric sequence. The common ratio is .
3

2. Find the next two terms of the geometric sequence 4, 12, 36, . . .

Solution:

First, find the common ration by finding the quotient of any two
consecutive terms from the right to left.

36
=3
12
The common ratio is 3.
12
=3
4

To get the next term,

a. multiply 36 by 3 to get the fourth term. The fourth term is 108.

b. Multiply 108 by 3 to get the fifth term. The fifth term is 324.

Therefore, the next two terms of the geometric sequence are 108 and 324.

Try this out

5
A. Determine whether each sequence is geometric. If so, find the common ratio.

1. 4, 20, 100, 500, . . .

2. 7, 14, 21, 28, . . .
3. 5, 10, 20, 40, . . .
4. 1, 4, 9, 16, . . .
5. 4, 12, 36, 108, . . .
6. 1, 5, 10, 15, . . .
7. 6, 12, 24, 48, . . .
1 1 1 1
8. , , , , ...
2 4 8 16
8
9. 9, 6, 4, ,...
3
3 9 27 81
10. , , , , ...
2 4 8 16

B. Find the next two terms of each geometric sequence.

1. 90, 30, 10, . . .

2. 2, 6, 18, . . .
3. 20, 30, 45, . . .
4. 729, 243, 81, . . .
5. 6, 24, 96, . . .
6. 7, 21, 63, . . .
7. 5, -10, 20, . . .
1
8. , 1, 2, . . .
2
1 1 1
9. , , ,...
27 9 3
1 1
10. - , , -1, . . .
4 2

Math Integration:

What is the World’s Fastest Insect?

6
 Answer the following problems on geometric sequence to find out. Cross
out the boxes that contain an answer. The remaining boxes will spell out the
name of the world’s fastest insect, which can travel at a speed of around 60
kilometers per hour. Really amazing!

1. What is the common ratio of the geometric sequence 81, 243, 729, . . . ?
2. What is the missing term of the sequence 5, 15, 45, , 405, . . .?
3. What are the next two terms of the sequence 7, 49, 343, . . . ?
3 6 12
4. What is the common ratio of the sequence , , , ... ?
4 12 36
3 6 12
5. Give the next two terms of the sequence , , , . . ..
5 25 125
5 10 40
6. Find the missing term of the sequence , , , , . . .?
6 18 162

B D U R T

3 9 20 3 2401;16807
54 2

A G T R O

24 48 1 2 135 27
;
1625 3125 2 3

N F A L Y

12401; 16807 3 24 48 20 125

;
4 625 3125 56

Answer: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Source: Math Journal

Vol. X, No. 4, 2002 – 2003
Lesson 2

Giving the Formula for the nth Term of a Geometric Sequence

7
 If the common ratio is greater than 1, the sequence grows at an increasing
rate. Thus, the common ratio is known as the growth factor. The figure below
illustrates a geometric sequence formed by multiplying by 3.
27

3
1

8
 If the common ratio is less than 1, the sequence shrinks at a decreasing
rate. Thus, this common ratio is known as the decay factor. The figure illustrates
1
a geometric sequence formed by multiplying by .
2

16 8 4 2

Examples:

1. Consider the geometric sequence: 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, . . .

The first term is 2 2 · 30 = 2

The second term is 2 · 3 2 · 31 = 6
The third term is 2·3·3 2 · 32 = 18
The fourth term is 2·3·3·3 2 · 33 = 54
The fifth term is 2·3·3·3·3 2 · 34 = 162

If you want to continue, then you have the sixth term 2 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 3 · 3

=2 · 35 = 486

In the given example: 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, . . . , the common ratio is 3. If you
present the first term as t1, using the pattern above, you have,

1st term = t1

9
 2nd term = t2
3rd term = t3
4th term = t4
5th term = t5
6th term = t6

Therefore, organizing the pattern, you have the number of terms and
expressions for the nth term as follows:

1st term = t1 2 · 30 = t1
2nd term = t2 2 · 31 = t1 r1
3rd term = t3 2 · 32 = t1r2
4th term = t4 2 · 33 = t1r3
5th term = t5 2 · 34 = t1 r4
6th term = t6 2 · 35 = t1 r5
nth term = tn 2 · 3n-1 = t1 rn-1

You will notice that the exponent of the common ratio is 1 less than the
number of terms you are looking for.

So, if you are looking the 3rd term, the exponent of the common ratio is 2;
for the 4th term, the exponent of the common ratio is 3; for the 6 th term, the
common ratio is 5, etc…

Therefore, for the nth term, the exponent of the common ratio is n – 1,
where n is the number of terms.

To find the nth term of a geometric sequence, the formula is

tn = t1 rn-1

where n = the number of terms

r = common ratio
t1 = first term
tn = last term

So, if you want to find the 10th term of the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, . . . ,
then you have to use the formula for convenience t n = t1 rn-1.

First identify the given before you substitute to the formula:

10
 t1 = 2 first term
r =3 common ratio
n = 10 number of terms
tn = ? the term you are looking for

Solution:

tn = t1 rn-1
t10 = 2 (3)10 -1 Substitute the given value
t10 = 2 (3)9 Simplify the exponent
t10 = 2 (19,683) Simplify(3)9 . It is equal to 19, 683
t10 = 39,366

Therefore the 10th term of the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, . . . is 39,366.

2. Write the first terms of a geometric sequence in which t 1 = 5 and r = 2.

Since, the first term is given, write each term using the formula t n = t1 rn-1.

t1 t2 t3 t4 t5

5 5(22 -1) 5(23 -1) 5(24 -1) 5(25 -1)

5 5(21) 5(22) 5(23) 5(24)

5 10 20 40 80

The first five terms of the sequence are 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80.

3. Find the seventh term t7, of a geometric sequence in which t3 = 96 and r = 4.

Method 1:

The general form of the third term of a sequence is t 1 r2 .

Find t1 Then find t7

t3 = t1 r2 tn = t1 rn-1
96 = t1 (4)2 t7 = 6(4)7-1
96
= t1 t7 = 6(4)6
16

11
 6 = t1 t7 = 24,576

Method 2:

Begin with the third term and use r to find each successive term.

t 4 = t 3 r4

t4 = 96 · 4 = 384
t5 = 384 · 4 = 1536
t6 = 1536 · 4 = 6144
t7 = 6144 · 4 = 24,576

Therefore, the seventh term is 24, 576. (using any method)

4. Ryan read aloud a “foolproof” way to become a millionaire. He saved P1.00

on the first day. Then each day thereafter, he double the amount he saved
the day before. Find the amount he should save on the 20 th day of his plan.

Solution:

In his sequence, t1 = 1.

Since the amount is twice that of the day before, r = 2.

tn = t1 rn-1
t20 =1(20)20 -1
t20 = 1 (20)19
t20 = P524,288.00

On the 20th day, Fred should have P524, 288.00.

Try this out

A. Give the first four items of each geometric sequence:

12
 1
1. a1 =
2
r=2

2. a1 = 3
1
r=-
3

3. a1 = 3
r = -2

4. a1 = 4
1
r=
2

Use tn = t1 rn-1 to find the nth term of each sequence.

5. t1 = 3 n=4 r=2
6. t1 = 1 n=3 r=5
1
7. t1 = 4 n=5 r=
2
8. t1 = 16 n=6 r = -3
1 3
9. t1 = n=3 r=-
81 2

B. Find the first five terms of the given sequence and state whether the
sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or neither.

1. an = 2n + 5
2. an = n2 + 1
3. an = 2 · 3n
4. an = 4 – 5n
n 1
5. an =
n
6. an = -2n · n
7. an = -2n
8. an = 4 · 2n
n 1
9. an =
n2

13
 10. an = n3 + 1

Math Integration:

The world’s tallest building is approximately 1483 feet high. It is found in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is actually a twin tower, with each building having 88
stories. (Source: Math Journal, Vol. X, No. 4)

To find out its name, answer the following problems on geometric

sequence.

Encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer. The letters will spell
out the name of the building.

1. What is the third term of the geometric sequence, t n = (-2)n-1 ?

P. 4 R. – 8

2. What is the second term of the geometric sequence, t n = (-1)n-1 ?

E. – 1 O. 1
3. The fourth term of the geometric sequence, tn = 2(3)n-1 is ____.

S. 6 T. 54

4. ______ is the first term of the geometric sequence, t n = 3(2)n-1

R. 3 S. 6

1
5. In tn = (4)n-1, t4 is equal to _____.
4

1
I. O. 16
4

1
6. In tn = (-4)n-1, 8 is the _____ term.
2

N. 3rd M. 4th

2
7. In tn = t1 rn-1, if t1 = 8 and r = , then what is t6 ?
3

14
 256 16
A. E.
243 243

8. In tn = t1 rn-1, find the eighth term of the geometric sequence whose first
1
term is 64 and whose ratio is - ?
2

1 1
R. S. -
2 2

Answer: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Let’s summarize

1. A geometric sequence or progression is a set of terms in which each term

after the first is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by the same fixed
number called the common ratio which is commonly represented by r.

2. If the common ratio is greater than 1, the sequence grows at an increasing

rate. Thus, the common ratio is known as the growth factor.

3. If the common ratio is less than 1, the sequence shrinks at a decreasing rate.
Thus, this common ratio is known as the decay factor.

What have you learned

A. Tell whether or not each number sequence is a geometric sequence.

Those that are geometric, give the common ratio.

1. 6, 24, 96, 384, . . .

2. 5, -10, 20, -40, . . .
1
3. , 1, 2, 4, . . .
2
4. 3, 9, 27, . . .
5. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, . . .
1
6. ,1, 3, 9, . . .
3

15
 7. 7, 9, 11, 13, . . .
5 5
8. 15, 5, , ,...
3 9
1
9. 4, 2, 1, ,...
2
10. 3, 7, 11, 15, . . .

B. Given the following sequences, tell which are geometric and which are
arithmetic sequences. State their common ratio or common difference.

1. 5, 20, 80, 320, . . .

2. 1, 4, 9, 16, . . .
3. 3, 8, 13, 18, . . .
4. 1, 4, 9, 16, . . .
5. 31, 38, 45, 52, . . .
6. 4, 12, 36, 108, . . .
7. 1, -3, 5, -7, . . .
8. 1, 6, 36, 216, . . .
1 2 3 4
9. , , , ,...
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
10. , , , ,...
1 4 9 16

C. Find the next four terms of the sequence.

1 1
1. , , 1, 2, . . .
4 2
1 1
2. - , , -1, 2, . .
4 2
3. 32, -16, 8, -4, . . .
1 1 1 1
4. - ,- ,- ,- , ..
32 16 8 4

5. 2 , 2, 2 2 , 4, . . .
1 1 1
6. , , , 1, . . .
27 9 3
7. -1, 4, -16, 32, . . .

16
8. 12, 24, 48, 96, . . .
2 2
9. 10, 2, , ,...
5 25
10. 7, 14, 28, 56, . . .

17
 Answer Key

How much do you know

A. 1. Geometric sequence, r = 2
2. not
3. Geometric sequence, r = 1
4. not
3
5. Geometric sequence, r =
2
1
6. Geometric sequence, r =
3
7. Geometric sequence, r = 2
8. not
9. not
10. Geometric sequence, r = 3

1
B. 1. geometric, r = -
2
2. geometric, r = 2
1
3. geometric, r =
2
4. geometric, r = 5
5. geometric, r = 3
6. geometric, r = -3
7. arithmetic, d = -4
8. arithmetic, d = 11
1
9. arithmetic, d =
2
2
10. arithmetic, r=
3
C. 1. 686, 4802
2. -54, -162
3. 40, 80
4. 64, 256
5. 0.875, 0.4375
1 1
6. ,
9 27
7. 0.0008, 0.00008
1 1
8. ,
16 32
9. 9, 9 3
10. 1331 a4, 14641 a5

18
Try this out

Lesson 1

A. 1. geometric, r = 5
2. not
3. geometric, r = 2
4. not
5. geometric, r = 3
6. not
7. geometric, r = 2
1
8. geometric, r =
2
2
9. geometric, r =
3
3
10. geometric, r =
2

10 10
B. 1. ,
3 9
2. 54, 162
3. 67.5, 101.25
4. 27, 9
5. 384, 1536
6. 189, 567
7. -40, 80
8. 4, 8
9. 1, 3
10. 2, -4

C. Math Integration

1. 3
2. 135
3. 2401, 16807

19
 2
4.
3
24 48
5. ,
625 3125
20
6.
54

Answer: Dragonfly

Lesson 2

1
A. 1. , 1, 2, 4
2
1 1
2. 3, -1, ,-
3 9
3. 3, -6, 12, -24
1
4. 4, 2, 1,
2
5. 24
6. 25
1
7.
4
8. 3888
1
9.
36

B. 1. 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 Arithmetic

2. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26 neither
3. 6, 18, 54, 162, 486 geometric
4. -1, -6, -11, -16, -21 arithmetic
3 4 5 6
5. 2, , , , neither
2 3 4 5
6. -2, 8, -24, 64, -160 neither
7. -2, 4, -8, 16, -32 geometric
8. 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 geometric
2 3 4 5 6
9. , , , , neither
3 4 5 6 7

20
 10. 2, 9, 28, 65, 126 neither

C. 1. P 4
2. E -1
3. T 54
4. R 3
5. O 16
6. N 3rd
256
7. A
243
1
8. S -
2

Answer: PETRONAS

What have you learned

A. 1. geometric, r=4
2. geometric, r = -2
3. geometric, r=2
4. geometric, r=3
5. arithmetic, d2
6. geometric, r=3
7. arithmetic, d=2
1
8. geometric, r=
3
1
9. geometric, r=
2
10. arithmetic, d=4

B. 1. geometric, r=4
2. neither arithmetic or geometric
3. arithmetic, d=5
4. neither arithmetic or geometric
5. arithmetic, d=7

21
 6. geometric, r=3
7. neither arithmetic or geometric
8. geometric, r=6
9. neither arithmetic or geometric
10. neither arithmetic or geometric

C. 1. 4, 8, 16, 32
2. -4, 8, -16, 32
1 1
3. 2, -1, ,-
2 4
1 1 1
4. - , -1, ,-
2 2 4
5. 4 2 , 8, 8 2 , 16
6. 3, 9, 27, 81
7. -128, 512, -2048, 8192
8. 192, 384, 768, 1536
2 2 2 2
9. , , ,
125 625 3125 15625
10. 112, 224, 448, 896

22