1. Find the first 4 terms in each sequence.

n-1
a) tn=3(-2)
1-1 0
t1=3(-2) =3(-2) =1
2-1 1
t2=3(-2) =3(-2) =-6
3-1 2
t3=3(-2) =3(-2) =12
4-1 3
t4=3(-2) =3(-2) =-24
b) t1=11, t2=3, tn=8tn-1+tn-2
t1=11
t2=3
t3=8t3-1+t3-2=8t2+t1=8(3)+11=35
t4=8t4-1+t4-2=8t3+t2=8(35))+3=283
t5=8t5-1+t5-2=8t4+t3=8(283)+35=2299
t6=8t6-1+t6-2=8t5+t4=8(2299)+283=18675

5
2. Use Pascal’s Triangle to expand and simplify the following binomial: (4x+7)
1
11
121
1331
14641
1 5 10 10 5 1
5 0 4 1 3 2 2 3 1 4 0 5
∴ (4x + 7)5 = (4x) 7 + 5·(4x) 7 + 10·(4x) 7 +10· (4x) 7 + 5·(4x) 7 + (4x) 7
5 4 3 2
= 1024(x) + 5·256(x) ·7 +10·64(x) ·49 + 10·16(x) ·343 + 5·4x·2401 + 16807
5 4 3 2
= 1024(x) + 5·1792(x) + 10·3136x + 10·5488(x) + 5·9604x+ 16807
5 4 3 2
= 1024(x) + 8960(x) + 31360 x + 54880(x) + 48020x + 16807

3. Complete the chart for each sequence

4, 12, 36… -7, -2, 3…
Is the sequence It is the geometric sequence. It is the arithmetic sequence.
geometric or t1=4 t1=-7
arithmetic? t2=12 t2=-2
Explain your t3=36 t3=3
thought process. Because by figuring out the Because by figuring out the
relationship between tn-1 and tn, relationship between tn-1 and tn,
we can find that there is the radio we can find that each term is
between consecutive terms is founded by adding the same
constant, it means that there is number to the previous term the
common rate in this sequence, difference, between successive
𝑡𝑛 𝑡 𝑡 12 terms is constant. It means that
which is r=𝑡 = 𝑡2 = 𝑡3 = =
𝑛−1 1 2 4 there is common difference,
36 which is
=3, therefore, it is a geometric
12 d=tn-tn-1=t2-t1=t3-t2=-2-(-7)=3-
sequence. (-2)=5, therefore, it is a
arithmetic sequence.
 Recursive formula t1=4, tn=3tn-1, n> 1 t1=-7, tn=tn-1+5, n> 1
n-1
General formula tn=a·r tn=a+(n-1)d
( simplified if a=4 a=-7
possible ) r=3 d=5
n-1
∴ tn=4·3 , n> 1 ∴ tn=5n-12, n> 1
th n-1
The 10 term tn=4·3 tn=5(n-1)-7
n=10 n=10
10-1
t10=4·3 =4·19683=78732 t10=5(n-1)-7=5(10-1)-7=5·9-7
=38
The sum of the 𝑎(𝑟 𝑛 −1) 𝑛
S10= , a=4, r=3, n=10 𝑆10 = [2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑], a=-7,
first 10 terms 𝑟−1 2

4(310 − 1) d=5, n=10

𝑆10 =
3−1 𝑆10 =5(-14+9·5)
4·59048 𝑆10 =5(-14+45)
𝑆10 = = 118096
2 𝑆10 = 5 × 31=155

4. $12000 is invested at a rate of 2.5% per year simple interest. How much will the
investment be worth after 87 months.
87
87months= 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 = 7.25𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
12

Because of simple interest, so that use I=Prt

In this question, P=$12000, r=2.5%, t=7.25year
I= Prt = 12000·2.5%·7.25 = $2175
$2175+$12000=$13175
The investment will be worth $13175 after 87 months.

5. Grace invested $18000 at 4.2% per year, compounded semi-annually.

a) What will her investment be worth after 15 years?
n
Because this question is about compound interest, so we use A=P(1+i)
Because of compounded semi-annually, in 15 years, there is 15x2=30 semi-annually, and
4.2%
i= 2

4.2%
In this question, P=$18000, i= , n=30 semi-annually
2

n 4.2% 30 30 30
A=P(1+i) = 18000(1+ ) = 18000 ( 1+2.1% ) = 18000 ( 1.021 ) = $33577.22
2

Therefore, her investment will be worth $33577.22 after 15 years.

b) How much interest will she have earned at this time?
The value of interest she will earned at this time = A-P
A = $33577.22, P = $18000
Therefore, the value of interest she will earned at this time = 33577.22-18000=15577.22
So that, she will have earned interest of $15577.22 at this time.

6. How much would they have to invest now if the investment earns 3.8% per year,
 compounded annually?
Because they have to invest at now and they give money each year, so we use the formula of
𝑅[1−(1+𝑖)−𝑛 ]
PV, which is 𝑃𝑉 = .
𝑖

In this question, R=$1000, because compounded annually, i=3.8%, n=20 years

𝑅[1 − (1 + 𝑖)−𝑛 ] 1000[1 − (1 + 3.8%)−20 ]
𝑃𝑉 = =
𝑖 3.8%
1000[1 − (1.038)−20 ]
𝑃𝑉 =
0.038
1000(1 − 0.4743)
𝑃𝑉 =
0.038
1000 × 0.5257
𝑃𝑉 =
0.038
𝑃𝑉 = $13834.21
They have to invest $13834.21 now.

7. Determine a, d and the general formula.

th th
15 term = 48, 40 = 223
𝑡𝑛 − 𝑡𝑚 223 − 48 175
𝑑= = = =7
𝑛−𝑚 40 − 15 25
∴𝑑=7
In arithmetic sequence, 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑡15 = 𝑎 + (15 − 1)7
∴ 𝑎 = 48 − (15 − 1)7 = 48 − 98 = −50
∴ 𝑎 = −50
General formula = 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 7(𝑛 − 1) − 50 = 7𝑛 − 7 − 50 = 7𝑛 − 57
Therefore, in this question, d=7, a=-50, general formula: tn=7n-57.

8. How many terms are in the sequence 2, 14, 26, …, 674? Explain your thought process.
t1=2, t2=14, t3=26, tf=674
In this question, because by figuring out the relationship between tn-1 and tn , we can find that
each term is founded by adding the same number to the previous term the difference,
between successive terms is constant. It means that there is common difference, which is
d=tn-tn-1=14-1=26-14=12, therefore, it is an arithmetic sequence.
th
Suppose that 674 is the x term
𝑡𝑛 −𝑡𝑚
In arithmetic sequence, there is a formula 𝑑 = 𝑛−𝑚
rd th
We use 3 term = 26 and x term = 674, and we have calculated the value of d, which equal
to 12.
674−26
So that, we can get a function: 12 = 𝑥−3

674 − 26
12 =
𝑥−3
 648
12 =
𝑥−3
12(𝑥 − 3) = 648
12x-36=648
12x=684
x=57
th
Therefore, 674 is the 57 term in this sequence.
Because 674 is the final term in this sequence, so that this sequence has 57 terms.

9. Determine a, r and the general formula.

th th
8 =-384, 15 =49152
𝑡𝑛
Because this is a geometric sequence, so we can use the formula: = 𝑟 𝑛−𝑚
𝑡𝑚

𝑡15 49152
= 𝑟15−8 = = 𝑟15−8
𝑡8 −384
−128 = 𝑟 7
r=-2
Geometric sequence general formula: 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1
∴ 𝑡8 = 𝑎 ∙ (−2)8−1
∴ −384 = 𝑎 ∙ (−2)7
∴ −384 = −128𝑎
∴𝑎=3
Therefore, r=-2, a=3
∴ 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎: 𝑡𝑛 = 3 ∙ (−2)𝑛−1 , 𝑛 > 0

nd
10. How many seats are in the 22 row?
According to the question, we can make sure that it is a arithmetic sequence.
In this sequence, it was: 25, 25+8, 25+2·8，25+3·8, …, 25+n·8
nd
In the question, we need to calculate the number of seats in the 22 row, and in arithmetic
sequence, there is general formula which is 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑, 𝑛 > 0.
According to the question, a = the number of seats in first row = 25, d=8, n=22
𝑡𝑛 = 25 + (22 − 1)8 = 25 + 21 · 8 = 25 + 168 = 193
th
Therefore, 22 row has 193 seats.

11. Determine the interest rate that would cause an investment of $10000 to double in
15 years if the interest is compounded monthly. Round the interest rate to the
nearest whole number.
Because of compounded monthly.
n
In this question, we need to use A=P(1+i) , A=double $10000=$20000, P=$10000,
n=15·12=180
𝑥
Suppose that i=
12

𝑥
Therefore, we can get the function: 20000 = 10000(1 + 12)180
 𝑥 180
2 = (1 + )
12
𝑥
1.003858 = 1 +
12
𝑥
0.003858 =
12
𝑥 = 0.046296 = 4.6296%
Interest rate is 4.6296%
Because round the interest rate to the nearest whole number, so that it is 5%.
The interest rate in this question is 5%.

23
12. Find the first two (2) terms of the expanded binomial expression (y+27) . Explain
your thought process.
Because the exponential value in this expression is 23, if we want to expand this binomial
expression, we need to connection to Pascal’s triangle.
Because the first row of Pascal’s triangle is labeled Row 0, if we want to expand the binomial
expression which the exponential value is 23, we need to use Row 23 of the triangle, it means
that the coefficients in this binomial expression are numbers in Row 23 of the triangle, which
begin with first term, 1, and second term, 23. Therefore, the value of coefficient of first term
of the expanded binomial expression need to use the first term in the sequence of Row 23 in
Pascal’s triangle, which is 1, and the value of coefficient of second term of expression need to
use the second term in the sequence of Row 23 in Pascal’s triangle, which is 23.
In first term of the expanded binomial expression in this question, y takes the highest
exponent (exponent of binomial) and 27 takes an exponent of zero. In the following terms,
the exponent on the y decreases 1 from 23 to 0 ( for example: 23, 22, 21,…, 0 ), and the
exponent on the 27 increases 1 from 0 to 23 ( for example: 0, 1, 2,…, 23 ). It means that in first
term, the exponential value of y is 23, the exponential value of 27 is 0, and in second term,
the exponential value of y is 22, the exponential value of 27 is 1.
In conclusion:
23 23 0 23
First term of expanded binomial expression (y+27) —— 1·y ·27 , which equal to y
23 22 1
The second term of the expanded binomial expression (y+27) ——23·y ·27 , which equal
22
to 621y .
23 23 22
Therefore, the first two terms of the expanded binomial expression (y+27) is y and 621y .

13. Find the value of the middle term in the sequence: 6, 30, 150, 750, … , 58593750.
Explain your thought process.
t1=a=6, t2=30, t3=130, t4=750, tn=58593750
Because by figuring out the relationship between tn-1 and tn in this sequence, we can find that
there is the radio between consecutive terms is constant, it means that there is common rate
in this sequence, so that it is a geometric sequence.
𝑡𝑛
Because it is a geometric sequence, we can use the formula = 𝑟 to calculate the value
𝑡𝑛−1

of r of this sequence.
 𝑡𝑛 𝑡2 30
𝑟= = = =5
𝑡𝑛−1 𝑡1 6
So that, we can use geometric sequence general formula to calculate 58593750 is which term
in this sequence, it also represents the amount of terms in this sequence.
Geometric sequence general formula: 𝑡𝑛 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1 , 𝑛 > 0
Because of a=6, r=5
So that the general formula of this sequence is 𝑡𝑛 = 6 ∙ 5𝑛−1
th
Suppose that 58593750 is x term
So that we can get the function: 58593750 = 6 ∙ 5𝑥−1
x-1
9765625=5
x=11
th
Therefore, 58593750 is the 11 term in this sequence, and this sequence has 11 terms.
th
According to above, we can calculate the middle term in the sequence is 6 term. And then,
th
we can use the general formula to calculate the value of 6 term, which is 𝑡6 = 6 ∙ 56−1
𝑡6 = 6 ∙ 56−1 = 6 ∙ 55 = 18750
Therefore, the value of middle term in this sequence is 18750.

14. John needs to borrow $45000 to buy a car. The bank will charge him 9% per year
compounded monthly. Calculate John’s monthly payment if he is going to take 6
years to pay off the loan.
Because of monthly payment and compounded monthly, we need to use the formula: 𝑃𝑉 =
𝑅[1−(1+𝑖)−𝑛 ]
𝑖

Because of compounded monthly, 6 years have 6 × 12 = 72 month, and interest rate equal
9%
to .
12

9%
In this question, PV=$45000, 𝑖 = , and n=72
12
9%
𝑅[1−(1+ 12 )−72 ]
Therefore, we can get the function: 45000 = 9%
12

𝑅[1 − (1 + 0.0075)−72 ]
45000 =
0.0075
𝑅(1 − 1.0075−72 )
45000 =
0.0075
𝑅(1 − 0.5839)
45000 =
0.0075
0.4161𝑅
45000 =
0.0075
337.5 = 0.4161𝑅
𝑅 = 811.1
Therefore, John’s monthly payment is 811.1$.

15. You are planning on buying a house in 10 years. How much money should you invest
bi-weekly at 5% per year compounded bi-weekly to have $90000 in 10 years for your
 down payment?
Because of bi-weekly, 1 year has 26 bi-weekly.
Because of compounded bi-weekly and invest bi-weekly, we need choose the formula of FV.
𝑅[(1 + 𝑖)𝑛 − 1]
𝐹𝑉 =
𝑖
5%
In this question, because of 5% per year compounded bi-weekly, therefore, 𝑖 = 26
,𝑛 =

10 × 26 = 260, FV=$90000
5% 260
𝑅[(1+ ) −1]
26
Therefore, we can get the function: 90000 = 5%
26

𝑅 [(1 + 0.001923)260 − 1]
90000 =
0.001923
𝑅 [(1.001923)260 − 1]
90000 =
0.001923
𝑅 [(1.6478 − 1]
90000 =
0.001923
𝑅 (0.6478)
90000 =
0.001923
173.07=0.6478R
R=267.17
Therefore, I should invest $267.17 bi-weekly.

16. Clearly explain the difference between a discrete function versus a continuous
function and provide an example of a scenario for each.
Discrete function: the domain of discrete function are finite, unordered sets of values, and
the value of domain and range are separate and distinct. The value only makes sense for
particular numbers. The graph of discrete function is not continuous, it made up of single
points and there is no connection between each other. Therefore, we cannot draw a
continuous curve or line for discrete function.
st
Scenario: On January 1 , you bought 5 pens. And then you bought 2 pens on the first day of
st
each month, starting February 1 , for the rest of the year.
In this case, we can use x to represent the time in months since you bought 5 pens on January
st
1 , use f(x) represents the total amount of pens you have bought.
Therefore, the equation is f(x)=2x+5
We can get the table of values:
Number of months Total amount of pens
0 2(0) + 5 = 5
1 2(1) + 5 = 7
2 2(2) + 5 = 9
3 2(3) + 5 = 11
4 2(4) + 5 = 13
5 2(5) + 5 = 15
6 2(6) + 5 = 17
7 2(7) + 5 = 19
 8 2(8) + 5 = 21
9 2(9) + 5 = 23
10 2(10) + 5 = 25
11 2(11) + 5 = 27
The graph:

Continuous function: the value in continuous function makes sense for all real numbers in
the given domain. If a function is continuous at every value in an interval, then we say that
the function is continuous in that interval. And if a is continuous in any interval, then we simply
call it continuous function. Continuous function has infinite number of values in its interval, it
means that the graph of continuous function is made up of continuous points and each point
must be connected by a continuous line. To sum up, the dependent variable varies
continuously with respect to the independent variable, and the image of the continuous
function in cartesian. Coordinate system is a continuous curve without fracture.
Scenario: An object is moving in a uniformly acceleration and in a straight line. The initial
2
velocity of the object is 0m/s, and the acceleration is 2m/s .
We can use the physics formula:
Final velocity= Initial velocity+ Acceleration · Time ( vf = vi + at )
In this case, we can use x to represent the time that the object is moving and use f(x) to
represent the final velocity that the object moves to a point in time.
Therefore, we can get the equation: f(x) = 0 + 2x
Graph:
17. Explain the advantage of using general formula rather than recursive formula to
describe a sequence.
We tend to use general formula to describe a sequence because when we are in calculation,
using general formula is more convenient and faster than recursive formula, and the results
can be obtained more intuitively.
th
For example, A: in an arithmetic sequence, 1, 3, 5, …, 45, find out the value of 16 term.
First, we need to find the value of d, which is d=t2-t1=t3-t2=2, and the value of a, which is 1.
In this case, it has two different way to solve the question.
First way, use general formula: tn=a+(n-1)·d=1+2(n-1)=2n-1
And then, we can get the result: t16=2·16-1=31 quickly, which just has 2 steps.
Second way, use recursive formula, which is t1=1, tn=tn-1+2
st th
When we use this formula, we need to calculate the value of 1 term to 16 term, and then
according to the recursive formula to calculate the result. It at least has 13 steps.
There also has a question which can more intuitive to show how to solve the question
when we use recursive formula to describe the sequence, let’s look at another example,
th
B: t1=1, t2=4, the recursive formula is tn=3tn-1+tn-2, find the value of 7 term.
t3=3tn-1+tn-2=3t2+t1=3(4)+1=13
t4=3tn-1+tn-2=3t3+t2=3(13)+4=43
t5=3tn-1+tn-2=3t4+t3=3(43)+13=129+13=144
t6=3tn-1+tn-2=3t5+t4=3(144)+43=432+43=475
t7=3tn-1+tn-2=3t6+t5=3(475)+144=1425+144=1579
And then, we can get the result: t7=1579.
In this case, if we want to calculate the result, we need to calculate the value of every term
th
which before 7 term, it means that we need to calculate 5 different values and then add
them according to the recursive formula.
Summarize and analyze above 2 examples, when we use general formula to describe the
sequence and try to find out the value of a random term like example A, we just need to find
out the value of a and d, and bring a, d and the number of term into the formula. It has a
more concise and convenient calculation process, and can quickly checkout the result right
or wrong. However, when we use recursive formula to describe the sequence and try to find
out the value of a random term like example B, it has more cumbersome and lengthy
th
calculation steps. When we want to calculate the value of 2000 term, it means that we need
to calculate 2000 terms, and if there is a mistake in your process, it means the value behind
the mistake are all wrong.
To sum up, I think the advantage of general formula to describe a sequence rather than
recursive formula is convenient, quickly, concise and easy to check out the result right or
wrong.

18. Explain the difference between the growth of a savings account earning simple
interest and the growth of a savings account earning compound interest.
Simple interest: simple interest is calculated by multiplying the daily interest rate by the
principal, by the number of days that elapse between payments. It is calculating on the original
principal only, the principal is fixed. The formula of simple interest is: I=Prt. Therefore, the
principal and interest growth of a savings account earning simple interest is constant.
Compound interest: compound interest is the addition of interest to the principle sum of a
loan or deposit, or in other words, interest on interest. It is the result of reinvesting interest,
rather than paying it out, so that interest. In the next period is then earned on the principal
n
sum plus previously accumulated interest. The formula is : A=P(1+i) . Therefore, the principal
and interest growth of saving account earning compound interest are rapid and increases at
a fast pace.
Compare:
1. Generally, simple interest paid or received over a certain period is fixed percentage of the
principal amount that was borrowed lent. It is based on the principal amount of a loan or
deposit. In contrast, compound interest is based on the principle amount and the interest
that accumulates on it in every period.
2.
Basis of comparison Simple interest Compound interest
Between Simple interest
vs Compound interest
Meaning It is the interest which is a It is the interest which is a
percentage of the total percentage of both principal
principal amount. and accrued interest.
Principal The principal is constant for Principal for compound
simple interest interest keeps on changing
due to addition of accrued
interest in the entire period.
Growth Principal and interest growth is Principal and interest growth
constant. are rapid and increases at a
fast pace.
Interest Charged
n
Formula I=Prt A=P(1+i)
I: interest earned P: principal amount
P: Principal ( original amount ) i: the interest rate per
r: interest rate compounding period
t: length of time ( in years ) n: total number of compound
periods
Calculation Calculation of simple interest is Compared to the simple
very easy, and it is also easy to interest calculation of
understand compound interest is difficult
as is involves different periods
of compounding.