Lesson 3: Arithmetic Means

Learning Competency
Determine arithmetic means
M10AL-Ic-1

Objectives
1. Illustrate an arithmetic means
2. Identify the arithmetic means based on the given terms and rules

Discussion
4, _____, _____, _____, 24, …
Were you able to get the missing terms in the given sequence?
Finding a certain number of terms between two given terms of an arithmetic
sequence is a common task in studying arithmetic sequences. The terms between any
two nonconsecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence are known as arithmetic means.

Example 1
Insert 3 arithmetic means between 4 and 24.

Solution:

Since we are required to insert 3 terms, then there will be 5 terms in all and
the common difference is needed to generate the other terms.
Let 𝑎1 = 4 and 𝑎5 = 24.

4, 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , 𝑎4 , 24, …

+d +d +d +d
There are 4 common difference to be added from the first term 4 to the fifth term 24.
It can also be written as 4 + ⏟
𝑑 + 𝑑 + 𝑑 + 𝑑= 24
4+ 4d = 24
4d = 24 − 4
4d = 20
4d 20
=
4 4
d= 5

Since we have the common difference 5 we can now generate the other terms.
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, …

+5 +5 +5 +5
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, …
Example 2
Insert 4 arithmetic means between 68 and 3.
Solution:
Since we are required to insert 4 terms, then there will be 6 terms in all.
Let 𝑎1 = 68 and 𝑎6 = 3.

68, 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , 𝑎4 , 𝑎5 , 3, …

+d +d +d +d +d
There are 5 common difference to be added from the first term 68 to the sixth term 3.
It can also be written as 68 + d + d + d + d + d = 3
68 + 5d = 3
5d = 3 − 68
5d = −65
5d −65
=
5 5
d = −13

Since we have the common difference −13 we can now generate the other terms.
𝑎2 = 68+(−13) 𝑎3 = 55+(−13) 𝑎4 = 42+(−13) 𝑎5 = 29+(−13)
𝑎2 = 68 − 13 𝑎3 = 55 − 13 𝑎4 = 42 − 13 𝑎5 = 29 − 13
𝑎2 = 55 𝑎3 = 42 𝑎4 = 29 𝑎5 = 16

68, 55, 42, 29, 16, 3, …

Arithmetic Means
The terms between any two nonconsecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence are
known as arithmetic means.

Example 1
Insert 4 arithmetic means between 5 and 25.

Solution:
5 , _____ , _____ , _____ , _____ , 25
Step 1: Solve for the common difference using the 6th term 25.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
25 = 5 + (6 − 1)𝑑
25 = 5 + (5)𝑑
25 − 5 = 5𝑑
20 = 5𝑑
20 5𝑑
=
5 5
4= 𝑑
Step 2: Compute for the 4 arithmetic means between 5 and 25 by adding 4 to the
preceding term.
5 , __9___ , __13___ , __17___ , __21___ , 25
Example 2
Find the 3 missing terms in an arithmetic sequence below:
17 , _____ , _____ , _____ , 5
Solution:
Step 1: Solve for the common difference using the 5th term 5.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
5= 17 + (5 − 1)𝑑
5= 17 + (4)𝑑
5 − 17 = 4𝑑
−12 = 4𝑑
−12 4𝑑
=
4 4
−3 = 𝑑
Step 2: Compute for the 3 arithmetic means between 17 and 5 by adding − 3 to the
preceding term.
17 , __14___ , __11___ , __8___ , 5
Example 3
What are the three arithmetic means between 3 and 23?
Solution:
Step 1: Solve for the common difference using the 5th term 23.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
23 = 3 + (5 − 1)𝑑
23 = 3 + 4𝑑
23 − 3 = 4𝑑
20 = 4𝑑
4𝑑 20
= 4
4
𝑑=5
Step 2: Compute for the 3 arithmetic means between 3 and 23 by adding 5 to the
preceding term.
3 , __8___ , __13___ , __18___ , 23
Example 4
What are the first and last terms of an arithmetic sequence when its arithmetic means
are 35, 15 and -5?
Solution:
Step 1: Solve for the common difference using the given terms.
𝑑 = 15 − 35
𝑑 = −20
Step 2: Compute for the first term using any of the given terms.
Let us use 15 which is on the 3rd position.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
15 = 𝑎1 + (3 − 1)(−20) 𝑎1 = 𝑎2 − 𝑑
15 = 𝑎1 + (2)(−20) or 𝑎1 = 35 − (−20)
15 = 𝑎1 + (−40) 𝑎1 = 35 + 20
15 + 40 = 𝑎1 𝑎1 = 55
𝑎1 = 55
Step 3: Compute for the last term.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎5 = 55 + (5 − 1)(−20) 𝑎5 = 𝑎4 + 𝑑
𝑎5 = 55 + (4)(−20) or 𝑎5 = −5 + (−20)
𝑎5 = 55 + (−80) 𝑎5 = −25
𝑎5 = −25
__55___ , 35 , 15 , − 5 , __−25___
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region III
Schools Division of Zambales
District of Iba
JESUS F. MAGSAYSAY HIGH SCHOOL
Bangantalinga, Iba, Zambales

LEARNER’S ANSWER SHEET

Mathematics 10
Lesson 3: Arithmetic Means

Name:_________________________________________Date:_______________Score:___________
Grade 10 - _____________
Parent/Guardian Signature Over Printed Name:____________________________________
Activity 3
Identify the arithmetic means using any mathematical method or you may
create your own strategy of finding the missing terms. Present your complete
solution on the space provided.

1. 16, _____, _____, 31

2. 84, _____, _____, _____, 48

6 7 8 11
3. 1, , , , _____, _____, …
5 5 5 5