8.

2 Analyzing Arithmetic Sequences

and Series
COMMON Essential Question How can you recognize an arithmetic
CORE sequence from its graph?
Learning Standards In an arithmetic sequence, the difference of consecutive terms, called the common
HSF-IF.A.3
difference, is constant. For example, in the arithmetic sequence 1, 4, 7, 10, . . . , the
HSF-BF.A.2
HSF-LE.A.2 common difference is 3.

Recognizing Graphs of Arithmetic Sequences

Work with a partner. Determine whether each graph shows an arithmetic sequence.
If it does, then write a rule for the nth term of the sequence, and use a spreadsheet
to find the sum of the first 20 terms. What do you notice about the graph of an
arithmetic sequence?
a. an b. an
16 16

12 12

8 8

4 4

2 4 6 n 2 4 6 n

c. an d. an
16 16

12 12

8 8

4 4

2 4 6 n 2 4 6 n

Finding the Sum of an Arithmetic Sequence

Work with a partner. A teacher of German mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss
REASONING (1777–1855) asked him to find the sum of all the whole numbers from 1 through 100.
ABSTRACTLY To the astonishment of his teacher, Gauss came up with the answer after only a few
To be proficient in math, moments. Here is what Gauss did:
you need to make sense 1 + 2 + 3 + . . . + 100
of quantities and their 100 × 101
100 + 99 + 98 + . . . + 1 — = 5050
relationships in 2
101 + 101 + 101 + . . . + 101
problem situations.
Explain Gauss’s thought process. Then write a formula for the sum Sn of the first n
terms of an arithmetic sequence. Verify your formula by finding the sums of the first
20 terms of the arithmetic sequences in Exploration 1. Compare your answers to those
you obtained using a spreadsheet.

Communicate Your Answer

3. How can you recognize an arithmetic sequence from its graph?
4. Find the sum of the terms of each arithmetic sequence.
a. 1, 4, 7, 10, . . . , 301 b. 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . , 1000 c. 2, 4, 6, 8, . . . , 800

Section 8.2 Analyzing Arithmetic Sequences and Series 417

8.2 Lesson What You Will Learn
Identify arithmetic sequences.
Write rules for arithmetic sequences.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Find sums of finite arithmetic series.
arithmetic sequence, p. 418
common difference, p. 418
Identifying Arithmetic Sequences
arithmetic series, p. 420
In an arithmetic sequence, the difference of consecutive terms is constant. This
Previous constant difference is called the common difference and is denoted by d.
linear function
mean
Identifying Arithmetic Sequences

Tell whether each sequence is arithmetic.

a. −9, −2, 5, 12, 19, . . . b. 23, 15, 9, 5, 3, . . .

SOLUTION
Find the differences of consecutive terms.
a. a2 − a1 = −2 − (−9) = 7
a3 − a2 = 5 − (−2) = 7
a4 − a3 = 12 − 5 = 7
a5 − a4 = 19 − 12 = 7

Each difference is 7, so the sequence is arithmetic.

b. a2 − a1 = 15 − 23 = −8
a3 − a2 = 9 − 15 = −6
a4 − a3 = 5 − 9 = −4
a5 − a4 = 3 − 5 = −2

The differences are not constant, so the sequence is not arithmetic.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Tell whether the sequence is arithmetic. Explain your reasoning.

1
1. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, . . . 2. 15, 9, 3, −3, −9, . . . 3. 8, 4, 2, 1, —2 , . . .

Writing Rules for Arithmetic Sequences

Core Concept
Rule for an Arithmetic Sequence
Algebra The nth term of an arithmetic sequence with first term a1 and common
difference d is given by:
an = a1 + (n − 1)d
Example The nth term of an arithmetic sequence with a first term of 3 and a
common difference of 2 is given by:
an = 3 + (n − 1)2, or an = 2n + 1

418 Chapter 8 Sequences and Series

 Writing a Rule for the nth Term

Write a rule for the nth term of each sequence. Then find a15.
COMMON ERROR a. 3, 8, 13, 18, . . . b. 55, 47, 39, 31, . . .
In the general rule for
an arithmetic sequence, SOLUTION
note that the common a. The sequence is arithmetic with first term a1 = 3, and common difference
difference d is multiplied d = 8 − 3 = 5. So, a rule for the nth term is
by n − 1, not n.
an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
= 3 + (n − 1)5 Substitute 3 for a1 and 5 for d.
= 5n − 2. Simplify.

A rule is an = 5n − 2, and the 15th term is a15 = 5(15) − 2 = 73.

b. The sequence is arithmetic with first term a1 = 55, and common difference
d = 47 − 55 = −8. So, a rule for the nth term is
an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
= 55 + (n − 1)(−8) Substitute 55 for a1 and −8 for d.
= −8n + 63. Simplify.

A rule is an = −8n + 63, and the 15th term is a15 = −8(15) + 63 = −57.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

4. Write a rule for the nth term of the sequence 7, 11, 15, 19, . . .. Then find a15.

Writing a Rule Given a Term and

Common Difference
One term of an arithmetic sequence is a19 = −45. The common difference is d = −3.
Write a rule for the nth term. Then graph the first six terms of the sequence.

SOLUTION
Step 1 Use the general rule to find the first term.
an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
a19 = a1 + (19 − 1)d Substitute 19 for n.
ANALYZING −45 = a1 + 18(−3) Substitute −45 for a19 and −3 for d.
RELATIONSHIPS 9 = a1 Solve for a1.
Notice that the points lie
Step 2 Write a rule for the nth term.
on a line. This is true for
any arithmetic sequence. an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
So, an arithmetic sequence
= 9 + (n − 1)(−3) Substitute 9 for a1 and −3 for d.
is a linear function whose
domain is a subset of the = −3n + 12 Simplify.
integers. You can also use an
Step 3 Use the rule to create a table of values for
function notation to write
the sequence. Then plot the points. 6
sequences:
f (n) = −3n + 12. n 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 n

an 9 6 3 0 −3 −6 −6

Section 8.2 Analyzing Arithmetic Sequences and Series 419

 Writing a Rule Given Two Terms

Two terms of an arithmetic sequence are a7 = 17 and a26 = 93. Write a rule for the
nth term.

SOLUTION
Step 1 Write a system of equations using an = a1 + (n − 1)d. Substitute
26 for n to write Equation 1. Substitute 7 for n to write Equation 2.
a26 = a1 + (26 − 1)d 93 = a1 + 25d Equation 1
a7 = a1 + (7 − 1)d 17 = a1 + 6d Equation 2
Step 2 Solve the system. 76 = 19d Subtract.
4=d Solve for d.
Check
93 = a1 + 25(4) Substitute for d in Equation 1.
Use the rule to verify that
the 7th term is 17 and the −7 = a1 Solve for a1.
26th term is 93. Step 3 Write a rule for an. an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
a7 = 4(7) − 11 = 17 ✓ = −7 + (n − 1)4 Substitute for a1 and d.
a26 = 4(26) − 11 = 93 ✓ = 4n − 11 Simplify.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Write a rule for the nth term of the sequence. Then graph the first six terms of
the sequence.

5. a11 = 50, d = 7 6. a7 = 71, a16 = 26

Finding Sums of Finite Arithmetic Series

The expression formed by adding the terms of an arithmetic sequence is called an
arithmetic series. The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic series is denoted by Sn.
To find a rule for Sn, you can write Sn in two different ways and add the results.
Sn = a1 + (a1 + d ) + (a1 + 2d ) + . . . + an
Sn = an + (an − d ) + (an − 2d ) + . . . + a1
2Sn = (a1 + an) + (a1 + an) + (a1 + an) + . . . + (a1 + an)

(a1 + an) is added n times.

You can conclude that 2Sn = n(a1 + an), which leads to the following result.

Core Concept
The Sum of a Finite Arithmetic Series
The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic series is
a1 + an
Sn = n —( 2
. )
In words, Sn is the mean of the first and nth terms, multiplied by the number
of terms.

420 Chapter 8 Sequences and Series

 Finding the Sum of an Arithmetic Series
20
Find the sum ∑ (3i + 7).
i =1

SOLUTION
Step 1 Find the first and last terms.
a1 = 3(1) + 7 = 10 Identify first term.
a20 = 3(20) + 7 = 67 Identify last term.
STUDY TIP Step 2 Find the sum.
This sum is actually a
a1 + a20
partial sum. You cannot
find the complete sum
S20 = 20 — ( )
2
Write rule for S20.

of an infinite arithmetic 10 + 67
series because its terms = 20 ( — ) Substitute 10 for a1 and 67 for a20.
2
continue indefinitely.
= 770 Simplify.

Solving a Real-Life Problem

You are making a house of cards similar to the one shown. first row
a. Write a rule for the number of cards in the nth row
when the top row is row 1.
b. How many cards do you need to make a house of
cards with 12 rows?

SOLUTION
a. Starting with the top row, the number of cards in the rows are 3, 6, 9, 12, . . ..
These numbers form an arithmetic sequence with a first term of 3 and a common
difference of 3. So, a rule for the sequence is:
Check
an = a1 + (n − 1)d Write general rule.
Use a graphing calculator to
check the sum. = 3 + (n − 1)(3) Substitute 3 for a1 and 3 for d.

sum(seq(3X,X,1,1
= 3n Simplify.
2))
234
b. Find the sum of an arithmetic series with first term a1 = 3 and last term
a12 = 3(12) = 36.

a1 + a12
S12 = 12 — (
2 ) (
3 + 36
= 12 — = 234
2 )
So, you need 234 cards to make a house of cards with 12 rows.

Monitoring Progress Help in English and Spanish at BigIdeasMath.com

Find the sum.

10 12 20
7. ∑ 9i
i =1
8. ∑ (7k + 2) 9. ∑ (−4n + 6)
n =1
k =1

10. WHAT IF? In Example 6, how many cards do you need to make a house of cards
with eight rows?

Section 8.2 Analyzing Arithmetic Sequences and Series 421

 8.2 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE The constant difference between consecutive terms of an arithmetic
sequence is called the _______________.

2. DIFFERENT WORDS, SAME QUESTION Which is different? Find “both” answers.

What sequence consists of all the positive odd numbers?

What sequence starts with 1 and has a common difference of 2?

What sequence has an nth term of an = 1 + (n − 1)2?

What sequence has an nth term of an = 2n + 1?

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3–10, tell whether the sequence is ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 21 and 22, describe and
arithmetic. Explain your reasoning. (See Example 1.) correct the error in writing a rule for the nth term of
the arithmetic sequence 22, 9, −4, −17, −30, . . ..
3. 1, −1, −3, −5, −7, . . . 4. 12, 6, 0, −6, −12, . . .

✗
21.
Use a1 = 22 and d = −13.
5. 5, 8, 13, 20, 29, . . . 6. 3, 5, 9, 15, 23, . . .
an = a1 + nd
9 9
7. 36, 18, 9, —2 , —4 , . . . 8. 81, 27, 9, 3, 1, . . . an = 22 + n (−13)
3 5 3 1 5 7 3
an = 22 − 13n
9. —12 , —4 , 1, —4 , —2 , . . . 10. —16 , —2 , —6 , —6 , —2 , . . .

✗
22.
11. WRITING EQUATIONS Write a rule for the arithmetic The first term is 22 and the common
sequence with the given description. difference is −13.
a. The first term is −3 and each term is 6 less than an = −13 + (n − 1)(22)
the previous term. an = −35 + 22n
b. The first term is 7 and each term is 5 more than the
previous term. In Exercises 23–28, write a rule for the nth term of the
sequence. Then graph the first six terms of the sequence.
12. WRITING Compare the terms of an arithmetic (See Example 3.)
sequence when d > 0 to when d < 0.
23. a11 = 43, d = 5 24. a13 = 42, d = 4
In Exercises 13–20, write a rule for the nth term of the
sequence. Then find a20. (See Example 2.) 25. a20 = −27, d = −2 26. a15 = −35, d = −3

13. 12, 20, 28, 36, . . . 14. 7, 12, 17, 22, . . . 27. a17 = −5, d = −—2
1
28. a21 = −25, d = −—2
3

15. 51, 48, 45, 42, . . . 16. 86, 79, 72, 65, . . . 29. USING EQUATIONS One term of an arithmetic
1 1 5 1 1 sequence is a8 = −13. The common difference
17. −1, −—3 , —3 , 1, . . . 18. −2, −—4 , −—2 , —4 , . . . is −8. What is a rule for the nth term of the sequence?
19. 2.3, 1.5, 0.7, −0.1, . . . 20. 11.7, 10.8, 9.9, 9, . . . A an = 51 + 8n
○ B an = 35 + 8n
○
C an = 51 − 8n
○ D an = 35 − 8n
○
422 Chapter 8 Sequences and Series

HSCC_ALG2_PE_08.02.indd 422 5/28/14 1:54 PM

30. FINDING A PATTERN One term of an arithmetic 46. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Describe how doubling
sequence is a12 = 43. The common difference each term in an arithmetic sequence changes the
is 6. What is another term of the sequence? common difference of the sequence. Justify
your answer.
A a3 = −11
○ B a4 = −53
○
C a5 = 13
○ D a6 = −47
○ In Exercises 47–52, find the sum. (See Example 5.)
20 26
In Exercises 31–38, write a rule for the nth term of the 47. ∑ (2i − 3)
i =1
48. ∑ (4i + 7)
i =1
arithmetic sequence. (See Example 4.)
31. a5 = 41, a10 = 96 33 31
49. ∑ (6 − 2i )
i =1
50. ∑ (−3 − 4i )
i =1
32. a7 = 58, a11 = 94
41 39

33. a6 = −8, a15 = −62

51. ∑ (−2.3 + 0.1i )
i =1
52. ∑ (−4.1 + 0.4i )
i =1

34. a8 = −15, a17 = −78 NUMBER SENSE In Exercises 53 and 54, find the sum of
the arithmetic sequence.
35. a18 = −59, a21 = −71
53. The first 19 terms of the sequence 9, 2, −5, −12, . . ..
36. a12 = −38, a19 = −73
54. The first 22 terms of the sequence 17, 9, 1, −7, . . ..
37. a8 = 12, a16 = 22
55. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS A marching
38. a12 = 9, a27 = 15 band is arranged in rows. The first row has three
band members, and each row after the first has
WRITING EQUATIONS In Exercises 39– 44, write a rule two more band members than the row before it.
for the sequence with the given terms. (See Example 6.)

39. an 40. an a. Write a rule for the number of band members in

(1, 9) 20
the nth row.
8
(2, 6) (1, 15)
(2, 10) b. How many band members are in a formation with
4 10
(3, 3) (3, 5) seven rows?
(4, 0) (4, 0)
2 4n 2 4 n

41. an 42. an
8
(4, 16)
(4, 5) 12
4
(3, 2)
(3, 9)
6
1 3 n
(2, −1) (2, 2)
−4
(1, −4) 2 4n 56. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS Domestic bees
(1, −5) make their honeycomb by starting with a single
−8 −6
hexagonal cell, then forming ring after ring of
hexagonal cells around the initial cell, as shown.
43. The number of cells in successive rings forms an
n 4 5 6 7 8
arithmetic sequence.
an 25 29 33 37 41

44.
n 4 5 6 7 8
Initial 1 ring 2 rings
an 31 39 47 55 63 cell

a. Write a rule for the number of cells in the nth ring.

45. WRITING Compare the graph of an = 3n + 1,
where n is a positive integer, with the graph of b. How many cells are in the honeycomb after the
f (x) = 3x + 1, where x is a real number. ninth ring is formed?

Section 8.2 Analyzing Arithmetic Sequences and Series 423

57. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS A quilt is made 60. THOUGHT PROVOKING In number theory, the
up of strips of cloth, starting with an inner square Dirichlet Prime Number Theorem states that if a and b
surrounded by rectangles to form successively larger are relatively prime, then the arithmetic sequence
squares. The inner square and all rectangles have a
a, a + b, a + 2b, a + 3b, . . .
width of 1 foot. Write an expression using summation
notation that gives the sum of the areas of all the strips contains infinitely many prime numbers. Find the first
of cloth used to make the quilt shown. Then evaluate 10 primes in the sequence when a = 3 and b = 4.
the expression.

61. REASONING Find the sum of the positive odd integers

less than 300. Explain your reasoning.

62. USING EQUATIONS Find the value of n.

n n
a. ∑ (3i + 5) = 544
i =1
b. ∑ (−4i − 1) = −1127
i =1
n n

58. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? Which graph(s) represents an c. ∑ (7 + 12i) = 455 d. ∑ (−3 − 4i) = −507
i =3
i =5
arithmetic sequence? Explain your reasoning.
a. an b. an 63. ABSTRACT REASONING A theater has n rows of seats,
and each row has d more seats than the row in front of
6 12
it. There are x seats in the last (nth) row and a total of
4 8
y seats in the entire theater. How many seats are in the
front row of the theater? Write your answer in terms
2 4 of n, x, and y.

2 4 6n 2 4 6n 64. CRITICAL THINKING The expressions 3 − x, x,

and 1 − 3x are the first three terms in an arithmetic
c. an d. an sequence. Find the value of x and the next term in
the sequence.
8 2

4
65. CRITICAL THINKING One of the major sources of our
2 n knowledge of Egyptian mathematics is the Ahmes
−2 papyrus, which is a scroll copied in 1650 B.C. by an
2 4 6n
Egyptian scribe. The following problem is from the
Ahmes papyrus.
Divide 10 hekats of barley among 10 men so that
59. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend believes the the common difference is —18 of a hekat of barley.
sum of a series doubles when the common difference Use what you know about arithmetic sequences and
of an arithmetic series is doubled and the first term series to determine what portion of a hekat each man
and number of terms in the series remain unchanged. should receive.
Is your friend correct? Explain your reasoning.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Simplify the expression. (Section 5.2)

7 3−2
66. —
1/3
67. —
−4
7 3

( 499 ) ⋅
1/2
68. — 69. (51/2 51/4)

Tell whether the function represents exponential growth or exponential decay. Then graph the
function. (Section 6.2)
70. y = 2ex 71. y = e−3x 72. y = 3e−x 73. y = e0.25x

424 Chapter 8 Sequences and Series