Lecture Note: 1 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015

Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Topic: 3. SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Sub-Topic: 3.1 Sequences and Series

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

(a) write nth term of simple sequences and series.
(b) find the nth term of arithmetic sequences and series, Tn  a  n  1 d

n n
and to use the sum formula, Sn   2a  n  1 d  or Sn  a  l.
2 2

Definition

 A Sequence is a list of things (usually numbers) that are in order following a certain rule.

First term, Third term,

Second term, Fourth term,

 A Series is the sum of the terms of a sequence. Sum of the first n terms of a sequence is
Sn , where Sn = T1 + T2 +  + Tn .

EXAMPLE 1
Find the first five terms of the sequence defined by each formula below.
(a) Tn  n 2  1, n  Z  n
(b) Tn  , n Z 
n 1
n  1, T1  1  1  0
2

1 1
n  2, T2  2  1  3
2
n  1, T1  
11 2
n  3, T3  3  1  8
2
2 2
n  2, T2  
n  4, T4  4  1  15
2 2 1 3
3 3
n  5, T5  5  1  24
2 n  3, T3  
3 1 4
4 4
n  4, T4  
4 1 5
5 5
n  5, T5  
5 1 6

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Lecture Note: 1 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 2
Find the nth term of a sequence below.
(a) 4,7,10,13,16, (b) 2, 1, 4, 7,
n Tn n Tn
1 4  1  3 1 1 2  5  3 1
2 7  1  3 2 2 1  5  3 2 Tn  5  3n,
Tn  1  3n,
3 10  1  3 3 3 4  5  3 3 n  1,2,3,
n  1,2,3,
4 13  1  3 4 4 7  5  3  4 
5 16  1  3 5

(c) 2, 4, 8,16, 32, 1 3 5 7

(d) , , , ,
2 4 6 8
n Tn
n Tn
2  1 2
1 1
1
1 2 1  1
2 4  1 2
2 2
1 
2 2 1
Tn  1 2n ,
n

8  1 2
3 3
3
n  1,2,3, 3 2 2  1
2  2n  1
16  1 2 2 2
4 4
4 4 Tn 
2n
5 32  1 2
5 5
5 2 3  1 n  1,2,3,
3 
6 2 3
7 2 4   1
4 
8 2 4 

Tips
Tn  2n  1 n  1,2,3,
Odd numbers 1,3,5,7, Tn  2n  1 n  0,1,2,
Tn  2n  3 n  1,0,1,
Tn  2n n  1,2,3,
Even numbers 2, 4,6,8,
Tn  2n  2 n  0,1,2,

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Lecture Note: 1 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Arithmetic Sequences

 In an Arithmetic Sequence, the difference between one term and the next is a constant.
For example, 4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25,

 In General, we can write an arithmetic sequence as a, a  d, a  2d, a  3d, , where a

is the first term and d is the common difference, where d  Tn1  Tn , n  1,2,3,.

 The nth term of an Arithmetic Sequence is given by Tn  a  n  1 d.

 Partial sums of arithmetic sequence

n n
Sn  2a  n  1 d  or Sn  a  l , where l is the last term
2 2

EXAMPLE 3
Find the first six terms and the 300th term of the arithmetic sequence 13,7,1,.
a  13, d  7  13  6

Tn  a  n  1 d
 13  n  16
 19  6n
T1  13,
T2  7,
T3  1,
T4  19  6 4  5,
T5  19  6 5  11,
T6  19  6 6  17

The first six terms are 13,7,1, 5, 11 and 17.
T300  19  6 300
 1781

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Lecture Note: 1 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
EXAMPLE 4
The 11th term of an arithmetic sequence is 52 and the 19th term is 92, find the 1000th term.
T11  52, T19  92
a  10d  52 a  18d  92 
a  52  10d 
Substitute  into ,
52  10d  18d  92
8d  40
d5
When d  5, a  52  10 5
2

T1000  2  1000  15

 4997

EXAMPLE 5
How many terms of the arithmetic sequence 5,7,9, must be added to get 572.
a  5, d  7  5  2
Sn  572
n
2 5  n  12  572
2
572  4n  n 2
n 2  4n  572  0
n  22n  26  0
n  22, n  26
 n  22

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Lecture Note: 1 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
EXAMPLE 6
The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic progression is Sn  3n 2  n. Find the first term
and the common difference. Hence, find the 21st term.

a  S1  3 1  1  4
2

S2  3 2  2  14
2

T2  S2  S1  14  4  10
d  T2  T1  10  4  6
T21  a  20d
 4  20 6
 124

EXAMPLE 7
An insurance representative made RM 30 000 her first year and RM 60 000 her seventh year.
Assume that her annual salary figures form an arithmetic sequence and predict what she will
make in her tenth year.
T7  60000
30000  6d  60000
d  5000
T10  30000  10  15000
 75000

EXAMPLE 8
There are two temporary job, X and Y. Job X lasts for 3 months and job Y 12 weeks. Job X
pays RM300 per month with a RM200 raise each month. Job Y pays RM100 per week with a
RM5 raise each week. Which job is the better paying job?
For job X,
Total salary = 300 + 500 + 700
= 1500
For job Y,
Total salary = 100 + 105 + 110 +  + T12 12 weeks
 S12
12
= 2 100  12  15
2
 1530
 Job Y is the better paying job.

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Topic: 3. SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Sub-Topic: 3.1 Sequences and Series

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

(c) find the nth term of geometric sequences and series, Tn  ar n1 and to use the sum formula,

a 1  r n 
Sn  , r  1.
1r

Geometric Sequence

 In a Geometric Sequence, each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant.
For example, 2, 4,8,16,32,64,128,256,.

 In general, we can write a geometric sequence as a, ar, ar2 , ar3 , , where a is the first

Tn1
term and r is the common ratio, where r  , n  1,2,3,.
Tn

 The nth term of a Geometric Sequence is given by Tn  ar n1.

 Partial Sums of Geometric Sequence

a 1  r n  a r n  1
Sn  , r 1 or Sn  ,r1
1r r 1
a
 Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Sequence, S  , r 1
1r

EXAMPLE 9
Find the general term for the geometric sequence 8,16,32,64,.
16
a  8, r  2
8
Tn  8 2n1 
n1
 23 2
 2 n 2

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 10
Find the 9th term of the geometric sequence 27,9,3,.
9 1
a  27, r  
27 3
91
1
T9  27  
 3 
1

243

EXAMPLE 11
2
n
2
If Tn    , find the smallest n so that Tn  .
 3  5
2
Tn 
5
 2 
n
   2
 3  5
2 2
n

log    log  

 3   5 
2 2
n log    log  
 3   5 
2
log  
5
n
2
log  
3
n  2.26
n3

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 12
1 1 1
Find the sum of a geometric series 1    .
2 4 256
1
a  1, r 
2
1
Tn 
256
n1
1 1
1  
2 256
n1
 1   
8
    1 
 2   2 
n 1  8
n9
  1 9 
1 1    
  2  
S9  
1
1
2
511

256

EXAMPLE 13
The sum of the first two terms of a geometric sequence is 36 and the product of the first and
third terms is 9 times the second term. Find the sum of the first 8 terms.

a  ar  36  a ar 2   9ar
ar  9 
Substitute  into ,
a  9  36
a  27
When a  27, 27r  9
1
r
3
  1 8 
27 1    
  3  
S8  
1
1
3
3280

81

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 14
4
The first term of a Geometric series is 27 and its common ratio is . Find the least number of
3
the terms such that the sum of the sequences is exceeds 550.
Sn  550
 4 
n 
27    1
 3  
 550
4
1
3
 4 n 
81    1  550
 
 3 
 4 
n
   631
 3  81
 631
log  
 81 
n
4
log  
3
n  7.136
n8

EXAMPLE 15
1 1 1 1
Add up all the terms of the infinite geometric sequence ,  , ,  , .
3 9 27 81
1

1 1
a ,r 9 
3 1 3
3
1
3 1
S  
 1  4
1   
 3

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 16
Express each of the following as a single fraction.
(a) 1.6 (b) 5.459
1.6  1.6666  5.459  5.4595959 
 1  0.6  0.06  0.006    5.4  0.059  0.00059
 0.6  0.0000059  
 1  
1  0.1 
54  0.059 
  
1
2 10 1  0.01 
3 27 59
5  
 5 990
3 1081

198

EXAMPLE 17
1
n

Given that the sum of the first n terms of a series is Sn  1    .

 3 
Find the expression of the nth term. Hence, find the first term and the sum when n  .
Tn  Sn  Sn1
1
n  1 
n1

 1     1    

 3   3 
 
n1
1 1
n

 1     1   
 3   3 
n1
1 1
n

     
 3   3 
1 1
n n

 3     
 3   3 
1
n

 2  
 3 

1
1
2
a  T1  2   
 3  3

1
n

As n  ,    0, thus S  1  0  1
 3 

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 18
In a certain quiz qame, contestants answer questions consecutively until they get a question
wrong. They win RM10 for answering the first question correctly, RM20 for the second question,
RM40 for the third question, and so on so that the amounts won for each successive question is
in term of geometric series. When contestants answer a question wrong, their game is over and
1
they get to keep of their total winnings up to that point.
10
(a) Wafiy answers 5 questions correctly. Show that Wafiy won RM31.
(b) The highest prize won in this game, by a contestant called Imelda, was RM32,767. Find the
number of questions that Imelda answered correctly.

(a) 10,20,40,...
a  10, r  2

10 25  1
S5   310
2 1
1
Amount that Wafiy won was 310  31
10

(b) Imelda won RM32767

1
 Sn  32767
10
Sn  327670
10 2n  1
 327670
2 1
2n  32768
2n  215
n  15

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Topic: 3. SEQUENCES AND SERIES

Sub-Topic: 3.2 Binomial Expansion

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

(a) find the expansion of a  b  , where n is a positive integer.
n

n 
(b) write n ! notations and nCr    as a binomial coefficient.
 r 

(c) determine the general term in a binomial expansion a  b  , where n is a positive integer.
n

*Include finding the

(i) coefficient in a binomial expansion a  b  and,

n

 b 
n

(ii) term independent of x in a binomial expansion such as ax   , n  1.

 x 
(d) determine the expansion of 1  x for x  1, where n is a rational number.
n

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Introduction

EXPANSION OF a  b 
n

a  b   1
0

a  b   a  b
1

a  b   a2  2ab  b 2
2

a  b   a3  3a2b  3ab 2  b 3
3

a  b   a4  4a3b  6a2b 2  4ab 3  b 4

4

a  b   a5  5a4b  10a3b 2  10a2b 3  5ab 4  b5

5


How about a  b  ?
6

By using a Pascal Triangle,

1 Row 0

1 1 Row 1

1 2 1 Row 2

1 3 3 1 Row 3

1 4 6 4 1 Row 4

1 5 10 10 5 1 Row 5

1 6 15 20 15 6 1 Row 6

1 7 21 35 35 21 7 1 Row 7

 a  b   a6  6a5b  15a 4b 2  20a3b 3  15a2b 4  6ab 5  b 6

6

However, a  b  also can be expanded by using the binomial expansion.

6

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Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

Definition

n FACTORIAL, n!
 If n is a positive integer, then

n !  n  n  1  n  2  n  3    1

n  1!  n  1  n  n  1  n  2  n  3   3  2  1

 n  1 n !

BINOMIAL COEFFICIENT
 Let n and r be whole numbers with n  r, then

n n n!
   C 
 r  r
n  r  ! r !

BINOMIAL EXPANSION
 For any positive integer n,

n  n  n  n  n 
a  b     anb 0    an1b1    an2b 2      anrb r      a0b n
n

0 1 2 r n 

or

a  b   nC0 anb 0  nC1an1b1  nC2an2b 2    nCr anrb r    nCn a0b n

n

 Some important characteristics of the binomial expansion a  b  .

n

o There are n  1 terms.

o The first term is an a n and the last term b n .

n 
o The coefficient of each term is   , where n  r  is the exponent of a and r the exponent
 r 
of b.

14 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 19
Evaluate for each of the following.
(a) 5! 8!
(b)
5!  5  4  3  2  1 5!
 120 8! 8  7  6  5!

5! 5!
 336

(c) 0! 5
(d)  
0!  1 2

5 5!
  
2 5  2!2!
5!

3!2!
 10

3 9
(e) C2 (f) C9
3! 9!
3
C2  9
C9 
3  2!2! 9  9!9!
3! 9!
 
1!2! 0!9!
3 1

n
(g) C0 (h) nCn
n! n!
n
C0 
n
Cn 
n  0!0! n  n  ! n !
1 1

15 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 20
By using binomial expansion, expand the following.

(a) 2  x
5

2  x  5C0 2 x0  5C1 2 x1  5C2 2 x2  5C3 2 x3  5C4 2 x4  5C5 2 x5
5 5 4 3 2 1 0

 1321  516x  108x2   104x3   52x4   11x5 

 32  80x  80x2  40x3  10x4  x5

(b) 1  2x
4

1  2x  4C0 1 2x  4C1 1 2x  4C2 1 2x  4C3 1 2x
4 4 0 3 1 2 2 1 3

 4C4 1 2x

0 4

 111  412x  614x2   418x3   1116x4 

 1  8x  24x2  32x3  16x4

EXAMPLE 21

Expand 2x  1 in ascending power of x. Hence, find 1.02 up to four significant figures.
5 5

2x  1  5C0 2x 1  5C1 2x 1  5C2 2x 1  5C3 2x 1
5 5 0 4 1 3 2 2 3

 5C4 2x 1  5C5 2x 1

1 4 0 5

 32x5  80x4  80x3  40x2  10x  1

 1  10x  40x2  80x3  80x4  32x5

1.02  2 0.01  1

5 5

 1  10 0.01  40 0.01  80 0.01  80 0.01  32 0.01

2 3 4 5

 1.104

16 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

The (r + 1)th Term of the Binomial Expansion

nr r
The r  1 term of the binomial expansion of a  b  is given by Tr1  Cr a
th n n
b.

Finding a Specific Term for Binomial Expansion a  b 

n

Types of questions can be asked:

 Find the rth term, r  .
 Find term independent of x.

 Find coefficient of xn , n   .

EXAMPLE 22
Find the fifth term in expansion 2  x .
6

Tr1  nCr a nr b r

6r
Tr1  6Cr 2 x
r

r 1  5
r4
64
T41  6C4 2 x
4

T5  60x4

EXAMPLE 23
 1 
8

Find the term independent of x in the expansion of x   .

 x 

 1 
r
8r
Tr1  Cr x
8  
 x 

x1 
8r r
= 8C r  x 
82 r
Tr1 = 8Cr x
For the term independent x,
8  2r  0
r4
824
T41  8C4 x
T5  70
 the term independent of x is 70.

17 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 24
Find the coefficient of x5 in the expansion 1  5x .
8

8r
Tr1  8Cr 1 5x
r

8r
 8Cr 1 5 xr
r

For coefficient of x5 , r  5,
T51  8C5 1 5 x5
3 5

T6  175000x5
 the coefficient of x5 is 175000.

Binomial Expansion

For the binomial expansion 1  x , where n is a fraction or any negative integer, we use the
n

following expansion.
n n  1 n n  1n  2
1  ax  1  n ax  ax  ax  
n 2 3

2! 3!
1 1
This expansion is valid for ax  1, i.e. x .
a a
  b 
n

Hence, a  b   a 1  

n

  a 
 b 
n

 a n 1  
 a 
  b  n n  1  b 
2 
 
 a 1  n   
n      , valid for b  1
 a   
 
 2! a  a

18 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 25
Expand the following in ascending powers of x up to the term x3 . Hence, state the valid interval
for the expansion.
4
(a) 1  2x
44  12x 44  14  22x
2 3
4
1  2x  1  42x   
2! 3!
 1  8x  40x  160x  
2 3

The expansion is valid for 2x  1

1 1
 x
2 2

1
(b) 1  3x5
 1  1     
    1 3x2  1   1  1  1  2 3x3
1
1   
 5  5 
  
 5  5  
 5 

1  3x  1  3x 
5  
5 2! 3!
3 18 162 3
 1  x  x2  x 
5 25 125
The expansion is valid for 3x  1
1 1
 x
3 3

1
(c) 16  x4
1
1  x  4
16  x  16 1  
4
  16 
1
1 x 4
= 16 1  
4
 16 
    
2
    
3 
  1   1  1  x   1   1  1  1  2  x  
 1  x   4  4  16 
  4
 4   4
 16  
 2 1       
 4 16  2! 3! 
 
 
 
x 3 7
= 2  x2  x3  
32 4096 262144
x
The expansion is valid for 1
16
16  x  16

19 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 26
1
Expand 1  3x3 in ascending powers of x until and including the term x3 . By substituting

1
x , determine the value of 3
2 correct to four decimal places.
125
 1  1   1  1  1 
    1 3x    1   2 3x
 
2 3
1
1 3 3  3 3  3 
1  3x  1  3x 
3  
3 2! 3!
5
 1  x  x2  x3  
3
1
1   1  3 1  1 
2
5  1 
3

When x  , 1  3    1       
125  125  125 125  3 125 
1
128 3
  1.007937
125 
43 2
 1.007937
5
3
2  1.2599

EXAMPLE 27
1
Expand up to the term x3 and determine the interval of x for which the expansion is
3  x
3

1
valid. Hence, approximate correct to four decimal places.
2.9
3

3
 x
 3 1  
3
3  x 
3

3
1   x  34  x  345  x  
2 3

 1   3           

27   3  2!  3  3!  3  

1 1 2 10 3
  x  x2  x 
27 27 81 729
x 3  x  2.9
1
3
x  0.1 within range
3  x  3
1 1 1 2 10
 0.1  0.1  0.1
2 3

3  0.1
3
27 27 81 729
 
1
 0.0410
2.9
3

20 of 36
Lecture Note: 3 of 3 Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

EXAMPLE 28
Determine the first four terms in the expansion of 3
1  x in ascending powers of x. State the
3
range of x for which the expansion is valid. Hence, evaluate 8.08 correct to four significant
figures.

1
3
3
1  x  1  x
 1   1  1     1 
     1  1
 3  1  3  3  1 2  3  3  1 3  2 3
1 x  x  x  ...
1! 2! 3!
1 1 5
 1  x  x2  x3  ...
3 9 81

The expansion is valid for x  1

1  x  1

1  x  8.08
x  7.08 out of range

1
3
8.08  8  0.083
1
 8 1  0.01 3
1
 2 1  0.013

When x  0.01, within range

1  1 1 5 
2 1  0.013  2 1  0.01  0.012  0.013  ...
 3 9 81 
3
8.08  2.007

21 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

1. The difference between 20th and 40th term of an arithmetic sequence is 40. Find the 100th
term if the 2nd term is 2.
T40  T20  40
a  39d   a  19d   40
20d  40
d2
T2  2
ad 2
a2 2
a0
T100  0  100  12
 198

2. The first term and common difference of an arithmetic progression are a and −2, respectively.
The sum of the first n terms is equal to the sum of the first 3n terms. Express a in terms of n.
Hence, show that n  7 if a  27.
S n  S3 n
n 3n 
 2a  n  12  2a  3n  12
2 2 
2a  2n  2  6a  18n  6
a  4n  1
When a  27, 27  4n  1
n  7 shown

22 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
3. In an arithmetic progression, the sum of the first four terms is 46 and the seventh term
exceeds twice of the second term by 5. Obtain the first term and the common difference for
the progression. Hence, calculate the sum of the first ten even terms of the progression.
S4  46 T7  2T2  5
4 a  6d  2 a  d   5
2a  3d   46
2 a  4d  5 
2a  3d  23 
Substitute  into , When d  3,

2 4d  5  3d  23 a  4 3  5
11d  33 7
d3
Sequence of even term ; 10, 16, 22,…
10 
S10  2 10  9 6  370
2 

4. Find the sum of even numbers between 199 and 1999.

200,202,204,,1998

200  n  12  1998

200  2n  2  1998
n  900
900 
S900  2 200  900  12  989100
2 
The sum of even numbers between 199 and 1999 is 989100.

23 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
5. The sum, Sn of the first n terms of an arithmetic progression is given by Sn  pn  qn 2 .
The sum of the first five and ten terms are 40 and 155 respectively.
(a) Find the values of p and q.
(b) Hence, find the nth term of the arithmetic progression and the values of the first term, a
and the common difference, d.
(a) S5  40
5 p  25q  40
p  5q  8 
S10  155
10 p  100q  155
2 p  20q  31
1 3
p , q
2 2
(b) Tn  Sn  Sn1
1 3  1 3 2
  n  n 2    n  1  n  1 
 2 2   2 2 
 3n  1
a  T1  3 1  1  2

T2  3 2  1  5
d  T2  T1  5  2  3

24 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
6. The sum of the first k terms of an arithmetic series is 777. The first term is 3 and the last
term is 77. Obtain the value of k and the eleventh term of the series.
Sk  777
k
a  l  777
2
k
3  77  777
2
k  21
S21  777
21
2 3  20d   777
2
6  20d  74
d4
T11  a  10d  3  10 4  37

7. The ninth term and the sum of the first fifteen terms of an arithmetic progression are 24
and 330 respectively. Find the first term, a and the common difference, d. Hence, find the
least possible value n, such that the sum of the first n terms is greater than 500.
T9  24
a  8d  24 
S15  330
15
2a  14d   330
2
a  7d  22 
 a  8, d  2
Sn  500
n
2 8  n  1 2  500
2
2n 2  14n  1000  0
n 2  7n  500  0

7  49  4 1500
n
2
n  26.13 n  19.13

n : n  26.13 or n  19.13
 n  20
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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
1
8. The sum of the first four terms of a geometric series with common ratio  is 30. Determine
2
the tenth term and the infinite sum, S .
  1  
4
 
a 1    
 2 
   30
 1 
1   
 2
a  48
101
 1 3
T10  48   
 2  32
48
S   32
 1 
1   
 2

9. (a) Using algebraic method, find the least value of n for which the sum of the first n terms
of a geometric series 0.88  0.88  0.88  0.88   is greater than the half of its
2 3 4

sum to infinity.
1
n

(b) Given that the sum of the first n terms, Sn of a series as Sn  1    . Find an
 3 

expression for the n th term. Show that the series is a geometric series and find the sum
to infinity, S .
1
(a) Sn  S
2

0.88 1  0.88 

n

   0.88 
 0.5 
1  0.88 1  0.88 
1  0.88  0.5
n

log 0.88  log 0.5

n

n  5.4223
n6

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

(b) Tn  Sn  Sn1
 1  
n
1 
n1

 1      1    

 3     3  
   
n1
1 1
n

     
 3   3 
1
n  1 1 
      1
 3   3  
 
2

3n
2
Tn1 1n 1
r  3 
Tn 2 3
n
3
1
Since r  for n  1,2,3, therefore the series is a geometric series.
3
2
a 3
S   1
1r 1 1
3

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
10. The fifth term and the tenth term of a geometric series are 3125 and 243 respectively.
(a) Find the value of common ratio, r of the series.
S  S n
(b) Determine the smallest value of n such that  0.02, where Sn is the sum of
S
the first n term and S is the sum to infinity of the geometric series.
(a) T5  3125 T10  243

ar 4  3125  ar 9  243 
ar 9 243
4

ar 3125
243
r5 
3125
3
r
5

a a 1  r n 

(b) 1  r 1  r  0.02
a
1r
1  1  r n  0.02
 3 
n
  0.02
 5 
3
n

log    log 0.02

 5 
n  7.66
n8

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
n
3n  5. If the second and fourth
11. The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic series is
2
terms of the arithmetic series are the second and the third terms of a geometric series
respectively, find the sum of the first eleven terms of this geometric series.
n Tn  ar n1
Sn  3n  5
2
T2  ag r
1
S1  3 1  5  1 ag r  2
2
2 T3  ag r 2
S2  3 2  5  1
2 ag r 2  8
3
S3  3 3  5  6 ag r 2 8
2 
ag r 2
4 r4
S4  3 4  5  14
2
ag 4  2
a  S1  1
1
ag 
T2  S2  S1  1  1  2 2
T4  S4  S3  14  6  8 1 11
4  1
S11  2  699050.5
4 1

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
12. Given k  2, k  4 and k  7 are the first three terms of a geometric series. Determine the
value of k. Hence, find the sum of the first nine terms and the sum to infinity of the series.
k 4 k 7

k 2 k4
k  2  k  7k  2
2

k 2  8k  16  k 2  5k  14
3k  30
k  10
10  4 1
r 
10  2 2
a  10  2  12
 1 
9

12 1    

  2   1533
S9   
 1  64
1   
2
a 12
S    24
1r 1 1
2

13. Given that 1  kx  1  10x  px2  qx3   for all x  .

5

(a) Find the values of k, p and q.

(b) Using these values of k, p and q, find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of

1  x1  kx .
5

(a) 1  kx  1 1 kx  5 1 kx  10 1 kx  10 1 kx  
5 5 0 4 1 3 2 2 3

 1  5kx  10k 2 x2  10k 3 x3  

5k  10 p  10k 2 q  10k 3
k2  10 2
2
 10 2
3

 40  80

(b) 1  2x  1  10x  40x2  80x3  

5

1  x1  2x  1  x1  10x  40x2  80x3  

5

 1  10x  40x2  80x3    x  10x2  40x3  80x4  

 1  9x  30x2  40x3  
 the coefficient of x3 is 40.

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

14. Determine the first four terms of the expansion of 1  x and 1  x . Hence, find the
6 6

value of 1.001 and 0.999 , correct to 3 decimal places.

6 6

6 6 6 6

1  x   16 x0   15 x1   14 x2   13 x3  ...
6

0 1 2 3

 1  6x  15x2  20x3  
6 6 6 6
1  x   16 x0   15 x1   14 x2   13 x3  ...
6

0 1 2 3

 1  6x  15x2  20x3  

1.001  1  0.001
6 6

 1  6 0.001  15 0.001  20 0.001

2 3

 1.006

0.999  1  0.001
6 6

 1  6 0.001  15 0.001  20 0.001

2 3

 0.994

15. If m and n are two positive integers and ma12b 8 is a term in the expansion of a3  4b 2  ,
n

find the values of m and n.

n  n  n  n 
   a3  4b 2     a3  4b 2     a3  4b 2      a3  4b 2 
n1 n2 n4
a3  4b2 
n n 0 1 2 4

 0   1   2   4 
By comparing,
n 3 n4
  a  4b 2 4  ma12b 8
 4 
n 
256   a3 n12  ma12
 4 
Thus,
n 
a3 n12  a12 256    m
 4 
3n  12  12
8
n8 256    m
4
m  17920

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021

16. The coefficient of x5 in the binomial expansion of 1  5x is the same as the coefficient of
8

x4 in the expansion of a  5x . Determine the value of a.

7

For 1  5x ,
8

8r
Tr1  8Cr 1 5x
r

 8Cr 5 xr
r

The coefficient of x5 , 8C5 55  175000,

For a  5x ,
7

7r
Tr1  7Cr a 5x
r

7r
 7 C r a  5 xr
r

The coefficient of x4 , 7C4 a3 54  21875a3 ,

21875a3  175000
a3  8
a2

3 
6

17. Determine the term independent of x in the expansion of  2  2x .

 x 
6r
3
 Cr  2  2x
6 r
Tr1
 x 
= 6Cr 3
6r
x123 r 2r
For the term independent x,
12  3r  0
r4

T41  6C4 32 2

4

T5  2160
 the term independent of x is 2160.

32 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
1
 x 4
18. Determine the expansion for 1   up to the term x2 . State the range of x for which the
 32 
1
x  x 4
expansion is valid. Show that 4 16   2 1   . Hence, by substituting x  1,
2  32 
4
approximate 31 correct to four significant figures.
 1   
2
1    1  1  x 
     4
 4    32 

1  x   1  1  x  
4

 32  4  32  2!
x 3x2
 1  
128 32768
x
The expansion is valid for  1
32
32  x  32
1 1
 4    4
16  x   16 1  x 
 2    32 
1
1
x 4
 16 1  
4
 32 
1
 x 4
 2 1  
 32 
 3 1 
1 2
 1 4  1

When x  1, 2 1    2 1  
 32   128 32768 

1
 31 4
2    2 0.992096
 32 
4
31
4
 0.992096
32
4
31  2.360

33 of 36
Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
1
 x 3
19. Determine the expansion for 1   up to the term x2 . State the range of x for which the
 16 
1
x  x 3
expansion is valid. Show that 3 8   2 1   . Hence, by substituting x  2,
2  16 
3
approximate 7 correct to four significant figures.
 1  
1    2 
 x   3   x 2
 1  x   3  2
     1  x  x  
3
1    1      
 3  16   16 
16 2! 48 2304
x
The expansion is valid for  1
16
16  x  16
1
x  x 3
3 8  8  
2  2
1
 x 3
1
 8 1  
3
 16 
1
 x 3
 2 1   shown
 16 
1
x  x 3
3 8  2 1  
2  16 
 x x2 
 2 1    
 48 2304 
x x2
 2  
24 1152
2 2
2
3 8
2
 2 
2 24 1152
3
7  1.913

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
3
20. Expand 4  3x2 in ascending power of x up to the term in x3 and state the interval for x
3
such that the expansion for 4  3x2 is valid. Hence, by substituting an appropriate value
3
of x, evaluate 52 correct to three decimal places.
3
3  3  2
4  3x  4 1  x
2
  4 
3
 3 2
 8 1  x
 4 
 3  3  3  3  3  
 
  1 
  1   2 
3  3  2  2   3    3 
2 3
 8 2 2  2 
1   x   x   x  
 2 4  2! 
4  3! 
4  
27 2 27 3
 8  9x  x  x 
16 128
3
The expansion is valid for x 1
4
4 4
 x
3 3
4  3x  5
1
x within range
3
3
  1  2  1  27  1 
2
27  1 
3
 4  3    8  9        
  3   3  16  3  128  3 

3
52  11.180

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Tutorial 3: 4 Hours Mathematics 1 SMS015
Ch 3 Sequences and Series Session 2020/2021
1
21. Determine the first four terms in the expansion of 1  3x3 in ascending powers of x. State
3
the range of x for which the expansion is valid. Hence, evaluate 8.24 correct to four decimal
places.
      
 1   1  1 3x2  1   1  1  1  2 3x3
1
1  3
 3    3
 3   3
 
1  3x3  1  3x   
3 2! 3!
5
 1  x  x2  x3  
3
The expansion is valid for 3x  1
1 1
 x
3 3
1  3x  8.24
181
x out of range
75
1
3
8.24  8  0.243
1
  0.24  3
 8 1  
  8 
1
 2 1  0.033

 2 1  3 0.013
1

When x  0.01, within range

1
 5 3
2 1  3 0.013  2 1  0.01  0.01  0.01 
2
 3 
3
8.24  2.0198

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