Sequence and series 

is one of the basic topics in Arithmetic. An itemized collection of elements in which

repetitions of any sort are allowed is known as a sequence, whereas series is the sum of all elements.
These are the two important topics which deal with the listing of elements. It is used in the recognition
of patterns, for example, identifying the pattern of prime numbers, and solving puzzles, and so on. Also,
the series plays an important role in the differential equations and in the analysis process.

 In short, a sequence is a list of items/objects which have been arranged in a sequential way.

 A series can be highly generalized as the sum of all the terms in a sequence. However, there has
to be a definite relationship between all the terms of the sequence.

The fundamentals could be better understood by solving problems based on the formulas. They
are very similar to sets but the primary difference is that in a sequence, individual terms can occur
repeatedly in various positions. The length of a sequence is equal to the number of terms and it can be
either finite or infinite.

sequence is a function whose domain is a set of consecutive natural numbers beginning with 1. For
example, the following equation with domain {1,2,3,…} defines an infinite sequence:

a(n) = 5n−3 or an = 5n – 3

The elements in the range of this function are called terms of the sequence. It is common to define
the nth term, or the general term of a sequence, using the subscripted notation an, which reads
“a sub n.” Terms can be found using substitution as follows:

The ellipsis (…) indicates that this sequence continues forever. Unlike a set, order matters. If the domain
of a sequence consists of natural numbers that end, such as {1,2,3,…,k}, then it is called a finite
sequence.
Find the first 7 terns in the sequence with a formula a n=(−1 ) n+12 n.
1. Arithmetic Sequences

A sequence in which every term is created by adding or subtracting a definite number to the
preceding number.

2. Geometric Sequences

A sequence in which every term is obtained by multiplying or dividing a definite number with
the preceding number.

3. Fibonacci Numbers

Fibonacci numbers form an interesting sequence of numbers in which each element is obtained
by adding two preceding elements and the sequence starts with 0 and 1. Sequence is defined as, F0 = 0
and F1 = 1 and Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2

An arithmetic sequence, or arithmetic progression, is a sequence of numbers where each successive

number is the sum of the previous number and some constant d.

an=an−1 + d   

And because an−an−1= d, the constant d is called the common difference. For example, the sequence of
positive odd integers is an arithmetic sequence,

1, 3, 5, 7, 9,…

Here a1=1 and the difference between any two successive terms is 2. We can construct the general
term an = an−1+ 2 where,

d= 3 – 1

d=2
The terms between given terms of an arithmetic sequence are called arithmetic means.
Arithmetic Means
 An arithmetic series is the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence. For example, the sum of
the first 5 terms of the sequence defined by an=2n−1 follows:

Adding 5 positive odd integers, as we have done above, is manageable. However, consider
adding the first 100 positive odd integers. This would be very tedious. Therefore, we next develop a
formula that can be used to calculate the sum of the first n terms, denoted Sn, of any arithmetic
sequence.
The formula for the nth partial sum of an arithmetic sequence denoted as Sn is given as :

n (a1 +an )
Sn =
2
Note: For the derivation of the above formula: Derivation of the Formula for Arithmetic Series.pdf
 A geometric sequence, or geometric progression, is a sequence of numbers where each
successive number is the product of the previous number and some constant r.

an=ran−1     

And because (an)/(an−1)=r, the constant factor r is called the common ratio. For example, the following is
a geometric sequence, 9, 27

9, 27, 81, 243, 729…

Here a1=9 and the ratio between any two successive terms is 3. We can construct the general term
an=3an−1 where,
In general, given the first term a1 and the common ratio r of a geometric sequence we can write the
following:

From this we see that any geometric sequence can be written in terms of its first element, its common
ratio, and the index as follows:

an=a1rn−1       

In fact, any general term that is exponential in n is a geometric sequence.

The terms between given terms of a geometric sequence are called geometric means.
A geometric series is the sum of the terms of a geometric sequence. For example, the sum of the first 5
terms of the geometric sequence defined by an=3n+1 follows:

Adding 5 positive integers is manageable. However, the task of adding a large number of terms is not.
Therefore, we next develop a formula that can be used to calculate the sum of the first n terms of any
geometric sequence. In general,

The formula for the nth partial sum of a geometric sequence denoted as Sn is given as :

a 1( 1−r n )
Sn = ,r≠1
1−r
Consider the nth partial sum of any geometric sequence,
Convergent geometric series
A repeating decimal can be written as an infinite geometric series whose common ratio is a power of
1/10. Therefore, the formula for a convergent geometric series can be used to convert a repeating
decimal into a fraction.
One interesting example is the Fibonacci sequence. The first two numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are
1, and each successive term is the sum of the previous two. Therefore, the general term is expressed in
terms of the previous two as follows:

Fn=Fn−2+Fn−1

Here F1=1, F2=1, and n>2. A formula that describes a sequence in terms of its previous terms is called a
recurrence relation.
7 Beautiful Examples Of The Fibonacci Sequence In Nature

1. Shells

2. Trees

3. Flower Pistils

4. Flower Petals

5. Leaves

6. Storms

7. You