CHAPTER I.

SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Lesson 1. Sequences
Lesson 2.Series
Lesson 3. Arithmetic Sequence, Means and Series
Lesson 4. Geometric Sequence, Means and Series
Lesson 5. Problems Involving Sequences

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

a. generate patterns,
b. illustrate an arithmetic sequence
c. determine arithmetic means, nth term of an arithmetic sequence and sum of the terms of an
arithmetic sequence,
d. illustrate a geometric sequence,
e. determine geometric means, nth term of a geometric sequence and sum of the terms of a finite and
infinite geometric sequence; and,
f. solve problems involving sequences.

INTRODUCTION

The world is full of patterns. One of the central themes of mathematics is the study of patterns
and functions. Many real-world problems and phenomena are best described by using a special type
of function known as sequence. In this chapter, we will have the chance to generalize patterns and
functions we meet every day. We will determine some kinds of the sequences – arithmetic sequence
and geometric sequence. Any term in the sequence will be determined without actually writing the
entire sequence. We will learn how to find the sum of any number of terms in the series without going
trouble of adding them term by term.
Lesson 1. Sequences

Consider the following figures below.

1 4 9

Notice that the number below the figures indicates the number of smaller squares needed to
produce bigger square. What will be the next number? How will you get it without drawing the
squares?

Definition
A sequence is a function whose domain is the set of positive integers usually a set of positive
consecutive integers starting with 1.
The function values
a1, a2, a3, ……… an, ..
are called terms.

EXAMPLE Consider the example given above. Find the next number.
SOLUTION Notice that to get the number of smaller squares, the term is being squared.
No. of Terms 1 2 3 4
No. of Smaller Squares 2
1 =1 2
2 =4 2
3 =9 2
4 =16

EXAMPLE Find the next number of the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5.

SOLUTION The next term is obtained by the sum of the previous two term. 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 2 +
3 = 5, thus the next term is 3 + 5 = 8.

1.1. Finding the Terms in a Sequence

Sequences are usually given by stating their general or nth terms.

EXAMPLE Given the general term an = 2n + 1, give the first five terms of the sequence.
SOLUTION

No. of Terms 1 2 3 4 5
an = 2n + 1 a1 = 2(1) + 1 a2 = 2(2) + 1 a3 = 2(3) + 1 a4 = 2(1) + 1 a5 = 2(1) + 1
a1 = 3 a2 = 5 a3 = 7 a4 = 9 a5 = 11

TRY THIS Find the first four terms of the sequence whose nth term is a n = 2n + 2.
Definitions
A sequence is infinite if its domain is the set of positive integers.
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5,……}
A sequence is finite if its domain is the set of positive integers :
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5,……,n}
for some positive integer n.
EXERCISE 1

Name: _______________________________________ Date: ____________

A. Determine if the following are sequences or not. Explain how you arrived at your answer.

1. 5, 7, 9, 11, ….

2. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25,….

3. 2, 4, 6, 9, 11,…

B. Find the missing number to complete each sequence.

1. 7, 14, ___, 28, ____,

2. 8, ___, 18, 23, ___, 33

3. 243, 81, ___, 9, 3

C. Find the first three terms of each sequence described by the given rule.

1. tn = n + 6

2. tn = -3n

3. tn = 3 ( 2n )
Lesson 2. Series

Definitions
The sum of the terms of a sequence forms a series.
An infinite series is the sum of the terms a1 + a2 + a3 + …..+ an + …of the infinite sequence
a1, a2, a3, …an, …
A partial sum, also called a finite series ( denoted by Sn), is the sum of the first n terms
a1 + a2 + a3 + …..+ an.

EXAMPLE In the sequence, 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,…, find the partial sums.

SOLUTION S1 = 1 first term of the sequence
S1 = 1 + 3 = 4 sum of the first 2 terms
S1 = 1 + 3 + 6 = 10 sum of the first 3 terms
S1 = 1 + 3 + 6 + 10 = 20 sum of the first 4 terms
S1 = 1 + 3 + 6 + 10 + 15 = 35 sum of the first 5 terms

TRY THIS Find the partial sums of the first 5 even numbers.

EXAMPLE For the sequence 2, -6, 18, -54, 162, -486,…find

a. S4 b. S6
SOLUTION a. S4 = 2 + (-6) +18 +(-54) = -40
b. S6 = 2 + (-6) +18 +(-54) + 162 + (-486) = -364

TRY THIS For the sequence ½ , 1, 1 ½, 2, 2 ½, 3, 3 ½, … find

a. S3 b. S5

EXAMPLE Generate the first 6 terms of the sequence defined by the t n = 3n. Then find the sum of
the series.
SOLUTION
No. of Terms 1 2 3 4 5 6
tn = 3n t1 = 3(1) t2 = 3(2) t3 = 3(3) t4 = 3(4) t5 = 3(5) t6 = 3(6)
t1 = 3 t2 = 6 t3 = 9 t4 = 12 t5 = 15 t6 = 18

S6 = 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 = 63

TRY THIS Give the first 10 terms of the sequence tn = 4n – 1 . Then find the sum of the series.
EXERCISE 2

Name: _____________________________________________________ Date: ___________

1. What is the sum of the first 10 terms of the series 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + …….. ?

2. If t1 = -4 and tn = 3n – 7, write the first six terms of the sequence and find the sum of the series.

3. Find the first six terms of the following sequence described below. Then find their sum.

a. tn = n + 7

b. tn = 2 – n

c. tn = 3n
Lesson 3. Arithmetic Sequence, Means and Series

The following sequence has terms which represent the number of squares in each figure.

What do you notice about the sequence?

What is the difference between any two consecutive terms of this difference?

Definition
A sequence in which a constant, d, is added to the previous term to get the next term is
called an arithmetic sequence. The constant is called the common difference.

In the given sequence above, this illustrate an arithmetic sequence in which the common
difference is 2, whereas the next term is obtained by adding 2 squares to the previous term.

EXAMPLE For each arithmetic sequence, identify the first term (a 1), the common difference (d),
and the next term in the sequence.
a. 2, 5, 8, 11, …
b. 17, 12, 7, 2,…
SOLUTION
Sequence First Term (a1) Common Next Term
Difference (d)
a. 2, 5, 8, 11, … 2 3 14
b. 17, 12, 7, 2,… 17 -5 -3

TRY THIS Find the first term, common difference and the next term of the sequence,15, 11, 7, 3..

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence with first term (a1), and common difference (d) is given by;
an = a1 + (n -1)d.

EXAMPLE Find the 16th term of the sequence 1, 5, 9, 13,…

SOLUTION Since a1 = 1, d = 4, n = 16, then
a16 = 1 + (16 -1)4
a16 = 1 + (15)4
a16 = 1 + 60
a16 = 61 Thus the 16th term is 61.

TRY THIS Find the 99th term of the sequence, 1, 4, 7,..

EXAMPLE Find the nth term of the sequence 3, 7, 11, 15,..

SOLUTION a1 = 3 d=4
an = a1 + (n -1)d
 an = 3 + (n -1)4
an = 3 + 4n – 4
an = 4n – 1 Thus the nth term of the sequence is given by an = 4n – 1.

TRY THIS Find the nth term of this sequence. 1, 5, 9, 13,…

EXAMPLE In the sequence 50, 45, 40, 35,…, which term is 5?
SOLUTION an = a1 + (n -1)d Substitute -5 for d, 50 for a1 and 5 for an.
5 = 50 + (n – 1)(-5)
5 = 50 + -5n + 5
5n =50
n = 10 5 is the 10th term or a10 = 5.

TRY THIS In the sequence 7, 10, 13, …, which term is 43?

EXAMPLE The 4th term of an arithmetic sequence is 34 and the 10 th term is 22. Find a1, d and the
nth term.
SOLUTION Since a4 = 34, and a10 = 22, let us add d 6 times to 34 to get to 22.
34 + 6d = 22 Then solve for d.
6d = -12
d = -2
To find a1, subtract d from a4 three times since d should be subtracted (n-1)times from
an in order to find a1.
a1 = a4 - (n -1)d
a1 = 34 - (3)(-2)
a1 = 34 + 6
a1 = 40
To find the nth term, let’s use the formula
an = a1 + (n -1)d
an = 40 + (n -1)(-2)
an = 40 - 2n + 2
an = - 2n + 42 Thus, a1 = 40 , d = -2 and nth term is an = - 2n + 42.

TRY THIS The 5th term of an arithmetic sequence is 21 and the 11 th term is 51. Find a1, d and nth
term.

2.1 Arithmetic Means

In an arithmetic sequence, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20,.. the terms 8, 12, 16 are called the arithmetic
means.
In an arithmetic sequence, all the terms between any two terms are called the arithmetic means of
these two terms.

EXAMPLE Insert 3 arithmetic means between 18 and 30.

SOLUTION TO solve for d, you ,may use the formula.
an = a1 + (n – 1) d where a1 = 18, an = 30 and n = 5
30 = 18 + (5 -1) d
30 = 18 + 4d
4d = 12
d=3 Thus, the terms are 18, 21, 24, 27, 30.

TRY THIS Insert 4 arithmetic means between 7 and 37.

2.2 Arithmetic Series
The sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence forms an arithmetic series. The
sum of the first n terms of a sequence, called a partial sum, is denoted by Sn.
The sum of n terms of an arithmetic sequence is given by:
n
Sn= ( a1 +a n ) if an is given
2

n
Sn= {2 a+ ( n−1 ) d } if an is not given
2
EXAMPLE Find the sum of the first 12 terms of the arithmetic sequence 50, 47, 44, 41,…
SOLUTION a1= 50 d = -3 n = 12
12
S12= {2(50)+ ( 12−1 ) −3 }
2
S12=6 {100+ ( 11 )−3 }
S12=6 {100−33 }
S12=6 (67)
S12=402

TRY THIS Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the arithmetic sequence 3, 5, 7, 9,..

EXAMPLE Find the sum of the first 30 natural numbers.

SOLUTION a1= 1 d=1 n = 30 an= 30
30
S30= ( 1+30 )
2
S30=15( 31)
S30=465

TRY THIS Find the sum of the first 50 natural numbers.

EXAMPLE Find the sum of all multiples of 3 from 1 to 100.

SOLUTION a1= 1 d=3 an= 99
First, we determine how many multiples of 3 are there from 1 to 100.
an = a1 + (n – 1)d
99 = 3 + (n – 1) 3
99 = 3 + 3n – 3
99 = 3n
n = 33
Thus, there are 33 multiples of 3 from 1 to 100. To find the sum, we use the
formula
33
S33= ( 3+ 99 )
2
33
S33= ( 102 )
2
S33=1683
TRY THIS Find the sum of all multiples of 5 between 1 to 100.

EXERCISE 3

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ____________

A. For the following sequences, draw if the sequence is an arithmetic sequence, if not.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, …
b. 1, 3, 5, 6, 8,….
c. 1, 4, 9, 16,…
d. 100, 95, 90, 85,..
e. 1, 8, 27, 64,…
B. Write the first term (a1), common difference (d) and nth term of the sequence.
a. 1, 6, 11, 16,..

b. 10, 5, 0, -5, …

c. 4, 14, 24, 34,..

d. In the sequence, 2, 6, 10, 14,…, what term is 36?

e. In the sequence, 1, -4, -9,…, what term is -44?

C. Insert arithmetic means for the following arithmetic sequences.

a. 3, ___, ___, ____, ____, 23

b. 5, __, ___, ___, ____, ____,___, ___, ____, ____, 55

D. Find the sum of the following arithmetic sequence.

a. multiples of 6 from 1 to 200

b. first 15 terms of the sequence 2, 6, 10, 14….

c. first 100 terms of natural numbers.

Lesson 4. Geometric Sequence, Means and Series
Consider a paper with equal length and width. Fold the paper into 2. How many regions are
created? Again, fold the paper into 2. How many regions are created after 6 folds?

Definition
A sequence is geometric if there exists a number r, called the common ratio, such that multiplying
the previous term by r results in the next term.
ak +1
=r or a k+1=ak • r for any k ≥ 1.
ak
EXAMPLE Identify the common ratio and the next term in the following sequences.
a. 1, 2, 4, 8,.. b. 80, 20, 5,.. c. 2, -8,32, -128
SOLUTION
Sequences Common Ratio (r) Next term
a. 1, 2, 4, 8,.. 2 4 16
=2 , =2 ,r =2
1 2
b. 80, 20, 5,.. 20 5 1 1 5
=¼ , = , r =
80 20 4 4 4
c. 2, -8,32, -128 −8 32 512
=−4 , =−4 , r=−4
2 −8

TRY THIS Identify the common ratio and the next term in the following sequences.
1 2 4
a. 6, 30, 150,.. b. , , , …
3 9 27
The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by:
a n=a1 r n−1 where r ≠ 0

EXAMPLE Find the 10th term of the sequence 1000, -500, 250 ,-125,…
−1 −500 −1
SOLUTION a1 = 1000 , n =10 , r = since =
2 1000 2
n−1
a n=a1 r
−1 10−1
a 10=1000( )
2
−1 9
a 10=1000( )
2
 −1
a 10=1000 ( 512 )
−1000 −125
a 10= =
512 64

TRY THIS Find the 12th term of this geometric sequence.

2, 10,50, 250,..

For any geometric sequence, the nth term is given by:

a n=a1 r n−1
EXAMPLE Determine the nth term of the following geometric sequence.
a. 1, 4, 16, 64,…
b. 729, 243, 81,..
SOLUTION a. a1 = 1 r=4
Using the formula, the nth term of the sequence is
a n=a1 r n−1
a n=(1)( 4)n−1
a n=4 n−1
1
b. a1 = 729 r =
3
Using the formula, the nth term of the sequence is
a n=a1 r n−1
1 n−1
a n=(729)( )
3

TRY THIS Determine the nth term of the following geometric sequence.
a. 1, 5, 25,…
b. 1, ½, ¼,..

Lesson 4.2 Geometric Means

FINDING THE GEOMETRIC MEAN

The geometric mean between any two positive numbers a and b is the square root of
their product.
√ ab positive geometric mean of a and b
−√ ab negative geometric mean of a and b

EXAMPLE Find the positive geometric mean of the following:

a. 4 and 16 b. 5 and 125
SOLUTION a. GM = √ ( 4 )( 16 ) b. GM = √ ( 5 ) (125 )
GM = √ 64 GM = √ 625
GM = 8 GM = 25
The geometric between 4 and 16 is 8.
The geometric mean between 5 and 125 is 25.

TRY THIS Find the negative geometric mean between 81 and 729.
EXAMPLE Insert 3 geometric means between 2 and 162.
SOLUTION 2, ___, ___, ___, 162
First, we find the geometric mean between 2 and 162.
√ ( 2 )( 162 ) =√324=18
Now we have 2, ___, 18, ___, 162
Next we look for the geometric mean between 2 and 18.
√ ( 2 )( 18 )=√ 36=6
6
The ratio is 3 since = 3. We can now complete the sequence as:
2
2, 6, 18, 54, 162
TRY THIS Insert 3 geometric means between 5 and 1280.

4.2 Geometric Series

Definition
A geometric series is the sum of the terms of a geometric sequence.
The partial sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence is given by:
a 1(r n−1)
Sn = for any r≠ 1.
r−1
EXAMPLE Find the sum of the first 8 terms of the sequence 2, 8, 32, 128,..
SOLUTION a1 = 2 n=8 r=4
n
a 1 r −1
Sn=
r −1
( 4¿¿ 8−1)
S8=(2) ¿
4−1
( 2 ) (65,535)
S8=
3
S8=43 690

TRY THIS Find the sum of the first 7 terms of this geometric sequence 1000, 500, 250,..

EXAMPLE Find the sum of the first 6 terms of the geometric series 4 + 8 + 16 +…
SOLUTION a1 = 4 n=6 r=2
n
a 1 r −1
Sn=
r −1
(2¿¿ 6−1)
S6 =(4) ¿
2−1
( 4 ) (63)
S6 =
1
S6 =252

TRY THIS Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric series 100 + 110 + 121 +….

4.2.1 Infinite Geometric Series

When the geometric sequence is infinite, the sum of its terms forms an infinite geometric
series.
The sum of an infinite geometric series is given by:
a1
S∞ = where |r| < 1.
1−r
 1 1 1
EXAMPLE Find the sum of the geometric series. + + +…
2 4 8
SOLUTION a1= ½ r= ½
1
2
S∞ =
1
1−
2
1
2
S∞ =
1
2
S∞ =1

1 1 1
TRY THIS Find the sum of this infinite geometric series 1+ + + +…
10 100 1000

EXAMPLE Determine whether each geometric series converges.

1 1 1
a. 1+ + + +…
10 100 1000
b. 8 – 4 + 2 – 1 +…
c. 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 +…
1
SOLUTION a. YES, since r = and is less than 1.
10
−1
b. YES, since r = then |r| < 1.
2
c. NO, Since r = 2, then |r| > 1.

TRY THIS Determine whether each geometric series converges.

a. 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 +…
−2 2 2 2
b. + – + −…
3 9 27 81
1
c. 36+6 +1+ +…
6
EXERCISE 4

Name: __________________________________________ Date: __________

A. For the following sequences, draw if the sequence is an geometric sequence, if not.

1. 1, 5, 25, 125, ….

2. 24, 12, 6, 3, …

3. 1, 3, 5, 7,…

4. 2, 4, 6, 8,…

5. 5, 15, 45, 135,…

B. Find the common ratio for each geometric sequence and identify the next term.

1. 3, 12, 48,..

2. 4, -4, 4, -4

3. 25, 20, 16,..

C. Find the nth term of the following geometric sequence.

1. 2401, 343, 49,..

2. 36, 12, 4,..

D. Insert 3 geometric means between the following terms.
1. 8 and 648.

2. 11 and 176

3. 2 and 1250

E. Find the indicated sum.

1. Sum of the first 7 terms of 90 + 30 + 10 +..

2. Sum of the first 9 terms of 6 – 12 + 24 – 48 + …

3. Sum of the infinite geometric series 18 – 6 + 2 - …

4. Sum of the infinite geometric series 200 + 50 + 12 ½ + ..

Lesson 5. Problems Involving Sequences

Many real-life problems are connected to the lessons you learned. So, in this section, you will
encounter those problems and their solutions.

EXAMPLE 1 The water level of a dam during a drought falls by 30 cm every week. If on the
first week, the water level is 15.8 m, what will be the water level on the 15 th
week?

SOLUTION a1 = 15.8 m d = -0.3 m (since 30 cm = 0.3 m) n = 15

a n=a1 + ( n−1 ) d
a 10=15.8+ ( 15−1 ) (−0.3 )
a 10=15.8−4.5+0.3
a 10=11.6 m On the 15th week the water level will be 11.6 m.

EXAMPLE 2 A stack of soap boxes has 12 boxes in the bottom row, 11 boxes in the second
row, 10 in the next row, and so on. How many boxes are in the stack?
SOLUTION Since each succeeding row has one fewer box, and the bottom row has 12
boxes, there must be 12 rows.
The total number of boxes in the stack will be given by,
12 + 11 + 10 +……+ 1
We can use the formula for finding the sum of the sequence
n
Sn= (a 1+ an )
2
since the first and last terms are given.
n
Sn= (a 1+ an )
2
 12
S12= (1+12)
2
S12=6 ( 13 )
S12=78

TRY THIS Wild geese fly in V-formation. A formation of wild geese has14 geese in the last
row, and 13 in the second to the last row. How many geese are there in
the 7th row? How many geese are altogether?

EXAMPLE 3 Suppose you send a chain text message to 3 friends at 7 AM, and each friend
then pass the message to 3 new people within an hour, and so on.
Determine the number of persons who have received the text message at 1 PM.
SOLUTION To find the number of text recipients at a given hour, we need to find the sum of
the terms of the geometric sequence.

At 7 AM, only 1 person has the message. S1 = 1

At 8 AM, 4 persons have the message. S2 = 1 + 3 = 4
At 9 AM, 13 persons have the message. S3 = 1 + 3 + 9 = 13

These are examples of partial sums of a geometric series, so we can use the
formula
a 1 ( r n −1 )
Sn =
r −1

Since a1 = 1 , r = 3 and n = 7 (since there 7 hrs from 7 AM – 1PM)

We have,
a 1 ( r n −1 )
Sn=
r −1
1 ( 37−1 )
S7=
2−1
2186
S7 =
2
S7=1093
Thus, there 1093 people who received the text at 1PM.

EXAMPLE 4 A pendulum swings ¾ the distance of its previous swing. If its first swing is 30 cm
long, find the total distance traveled by the pendulum before stopping.

SOLUTION The problem represents an infinite geometric series since there is no definite
time when will the pendulum stop from swing. This also gives us the
series,
30 + 22.5 + 16.875 + 12.65625 + …..
So we can use the formula for finding the sum of infinite geometric series,

a1
S∞ = since a1 = 30 and r = ¾ and is less than 1.
1−r
 30
S∞ =
3
1−
4
30
S∞ =
1
4
S∞ =120 cm

TRY THIS If a town having a population of 4000 in 1983 has a 15% increase every 5 years,
what is its population in 2003? What is the total population in 2008?