2.

Number Patterns, Sequences and Series

A Investigating patterns

Patterns have been a topic of interest for humans for thousands of years. Ancient
civilisations, such as those of the Egyptians and the Greeks, used patterns in the
design of their architecture. In modern times, mathematicians and scientists use
patterns, found through experiments and problems, to discover new ideas.

Conjectures are theories about patterns.

For example – Look at this pattern → 2; 4; 8; 16; 32…. What is happening?
The next term is always double the previous term. Our conjecture
(or theory) is that you have to multiply the previous term by 2 to get
the next term. To write this as a formula we can say Tn = 2n.
So to get to this formula we know that:
Term 1 = 2
Term 2 = 2 × 2 = 2
Term 3 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 2
So you can see that the term number is the same as the exponent in each
term.

Activity 2.1:

Find a formula or conjecture for each of the patterns shown below, and give the next
three terms of each pattern:

a) 0; 3; 8; 15;…… b) -1; 1; -3; 3; -5; 5; ……

c) ; ; ; … d) 1; 3; 9; 27;…
e) 0.1; 0.01; 0.101; 0.0101; …… f) ;2 ; 4 ;…
Using the calculator to solve Sequence and Series calculations:

Use the following keys from the EL-W535HT Scientific Calculator:

This key calculates exponential values

These keys together calculate the xth root of y

This key inputs a fraction or improper fraction with and

numerator and denominator

These keys together input a mixed fraction

B Quadratic Sequences

In a linear or “Arithmetic” sequence you have a first common difference – in other

words you add or subtract a constant value.
For example: 4, 8, 12, 16…. and so on. You add a constant difference of 4. This is an
example of a first common difference.

In a quadratic sequence you add either an increasing or decreasing amount every

time. That amount always increases or decreases by a constant amount – your
second common difference.
For example: 1, 3, 7, 13, 21…. and so on.
1 3 7 13 21 → sequence
2 4 6 8 → first difference
2 2 2 → second common/constant difference

The formula for a quadratic sequence is = : where Tn is your term

value and n is your term position.
To find a, b and c you use these three formula’s
a + b + c = the first term, in our example = 1
3a + b = the first “first difference”, in our example = 2
2a = the second common difference, in our example = 2.

Now solve these equations from the bottom up (↑)

So: 2a = 2
IEB students will be familiar with this formula:
a=1
Then: 3a + b = 2 = −1
3(1) + b = 2 f = first differnence
b=2–3 s = second difference
b=-1 ∴ =1 −1 2
And lastly : a + b + c = 1 ∴ =1 2 −2 −3 2
1 + (-1) + c = 1 ∴ = − 1
c=1

Now substitute these values into your formula:

Tn = 1n2 – 1n + 1.
To check that our formula works, we choose any position for example,
n = 3, and we make sure that it equals the value at that position, Tn = 7.
T3 = 1(3)2 – 1(3) + 1 = 7

Activity 2.2

1. Find the formula for the following sequences:

a) 2, 5, 10, 17, 26…. b) 1, 2, 7, 16, 29, 46….

c) 3, 6, 12, 21, 33…. d) 1, 3, 10, 22, 39, 61…
e) 3, 5, 8, 12, 17…. f) 2, 6, 11, 17, 24, 32…

2. Given the sequence: 3, 4, 7, 12, 19, 28… Find:

a) The seventh and eighth terms

b) The formula representing the sequence
c) The 22nd term
d) If Tn = 199, find n.
3. Given the sequence: 2, 4, 9, 17…

a) Continue the sequence for three more terms

b) Find the formula of the sequence
c) Find the 13th term
d) If Tn = 612, find n.

4. A chicken farmer goes to a market in order to buy chickens. He knows that on

each successive day the prices of the chickens go down. On the first day he
buys 10 chickens. On the second day he buys 20 chickens. On the third day he
buys 36 chickens, on the fourth day he buys 58 chickens. He continues in this
pattern until the last day, when he buys 206 chickens.

a) How many days does the market go on for?

b) How many chickens does the farmer buy in total?
c) If the market continued for two weeks, how many chickens would the
farmer buy on the last day?
C Arithmetic Sequence

An ordered list is called a sequence, where T1 is known as term 1, T2 is known as

term 2, and T3 is known as term 3, etc. The general term is Tn, where ‘n’ is a natural
number. Position of term

Tn= a + (n – 1).d difference

Term value first term

Activity 2.3

1. Given the general term, write down the first 5 terms, as well as the 100th term
of the sequence:

a) Tn=n-3 b) Tn =7-n
c) Tn= 2n – 4 d) Tn =3n +1
e) Tn= -n +2 f) Tn = 4

2. Given the general term, calculate the value of the term indicated:

a) Tn =4n+1, find T12 b) Tn = 3 , find T4

Example: Given the following sequence, find the formula:

3; 6; 9; 12; 15; ……..

Therefore:

The common difference is − = 6 − 3 = 3

Now substitute the first term into a and you have your formula:

∴ =3 −1 3
Activity 2.3 continued

3. Determine the 15th and 100th term of each of the following arithemetic
sequences by first finding Tn:

a) 9; 12; 15; … b) 0; − ; −5; …

c) 7 9 ; 8 11 ; 9 13 d) = 5; & = 7

4. Determine which term of the arithmetic sequence is equal to the term given in
brackets:

(
a) -2; 1; 4… (109) b) ; − ; − ; …. (-19)
'
c) ;2 3; 3 6; … 50 147
d) log √2 ; log 4 ; log 8√2 … log 2

5. Determine the arithmetic sequence and the 14th term in each of the following:

a) The 4th term is 14 and the 20th term is 94.

b) The 7th term is 12 and the 33rd term is -40.
c) The 5th term is 2 3 and & = 1
d) The 6 term is 5 − 2 and = −3
th

6. Consider the following arithmetic sequence:

3; 2 − 2 ; 5 1; ….

a) Find the value of .

b) Write down the first 3 terms.
c) Determine the 20th term of this sequence.
d) Which term in this sequence will be equal -64?

More notes on arithmetic sequences:

An arithmetic sequence, or progression, is any sequence where the same difference

occurs between each term within that sequence.

We use the following for the formula: Tn= a + (n – 1)d

‘a’ is the first term
‘d’ is the common difference between the terms
Activity 2.4

1. Determine the 20th term of the following arithmetic sequences:

a) 6; 12; 18;... b) -11; -9; -7;…

c) p + 2q; 3p + 3q; 5p + 4q;… d) a=− , d=
e) a = 2, T6 = 62 (HINT: Find ‘d’ first)

2. For each of the following formulas, find:

(i) Term 1 (a) (ii) Common difference (d)

a) Tn = 4n – 2 b) Tn = 5 + 3n
c) Tn = d) Tn = 6-2n

3. Determine which term in each of the below sequences:

a) 2; 4; 6; … is equal to 48
b) -3; 1; 5; … is equal to 81
c) 2 ; 2 ; 2 ; is equal to 6
d) a; 2a + 1; 3a + 2; … is equal to 12a + 11

4. Given the following terms of an arithmetic sequence, determine the first 3

terms, and then the value of T25:

a) T8= 22, and T17= 49 b) T11= -28, and T30= -104

c) T6= 10, and T21= 14 d) T4= 7x + 10, and T15= 29x +43
D Geometric Sequences

Notes:

In a geometric sequence, there is a common ratio, ‘r’, which is calculated by dividing

any term of a sequence by the previous term in the sequence. Therefore:
./01
= 2, for n ≥ 1 this can also be used to prove that a sequence is geometric:
./
.3 .4
If = then the sequence has a common ratio and ∴ the sequence is geometric.
.1 .3

The formula for finding the general term in a geometric sequence is:

first term term position or number

= 2

Term value ratio

Example 1:

For the sequence given below:

a) show that it is a geometric sequence, and
b) calculate the values for ‘a’ and ‘r’ to find the general term, in order to
calculate the next three terms of the sequence.
72; 12; 2; …..

Answer:
.3 .4
a) = 72 Therefore, = = and = =
.1 ' .3

= 12 There is a common ratio of and a = 72

=2 The general term is: = 72. 5 6
The next three terms of the sequence are:
= 72. 5 6 , = 72. 5 6 , = 72. 5 6
= = =
7 87

All of these can be entered straight into your SHARP EL-W535HT calculator by

pressing these buttons:

Example 2:

Given the following geometric sequence, calculate the 10th and 21st terms:

-3; -9; -27; ….

Answer:
. .
a = -3, r = 3 (remember → 3 = 4 )
.1 .3

8 = −3 × 3 8
= −59 049 92 − 3 × 3( , and
= −3 × 3 = −1.046 × 10 8 92 − 3 × 3 8

You can also put this straight into your EL-W535HT calculator by pressing these buttons:

Example 3:

Given that = 8 and = 32 768 , determine the first three terms of the
geometric sequence.

= 2 =8 (1)
= 2 = 32 768 (2)
:; 1< ' 7 Again you can simply put this into your EL-
Therefore: =
:; 3 7 W535HT by pressing these buttons:
2 = 4 096
∴ 2 = √4 096
13

∴2=2
Substitute r = 2 into (1): 8 = . 2
8 = 4a
Therefore: 2 = a

= 2; = 2 × 2 = 4; = 2 × 2 = 8
Example 4:

In the following geometric sequence ; ; … Which term in this sequence is

'
equal to ?
( '

= = × 5 6 =
( '
1

2 = 1=
1 = ∴ 5 6 =
4

∴ − 1 = log 1
=
∴ −1=5
∴ =6

Example 5:

Given that ' = 360 and a common ratio of 3, determine the first three terms of the
geometric sequence.

' = . 2 ' = 360

. 3 = 360
. 729 = 360
8
=
' (
8
=
7
8 8 8
∴ = ; = ; =
7 ' (

Activity 2.5

1. Say whether the following sequences are geometric or arithmetic.

Find the next three terms in each of the sequences:

a) ; ; b) 3; 12; 48
8
c) -7; -10; -13 d) 5; 9; 13
( ' (
e) − ; − ; − f) ; ;
7 ' '
2. From the given terms, calculate the common ratio, and then calculate the 21st
term of the geometric sequence:

a) = 2 and =
8
b) = and = −88 573
c) = 4 and = 8192
'' '
d) = 8 and =

3. Given ‘a’ and ‘r’, find the first three terms and also find out which term is equal
to the value shown below:

a) = 1, 2 = 2, = 32 768
b) = , 2 = 3, = 3280
c) = , 2 = 2, = 4096
d) = 8, 2 = , =

4. Calculate ‘r’, where ‘a’ is given along with a term total:

a) = 2 & = 32 b) = 1 & ' = 729

c) = & = 2 592 d) = −5 & ( = −

5. In a geometric sequence, the first three terms are given as:

(p + 2); (p - 2); and p. Find the value of p, and hence the first three terms.
E Series

• A sequence is an ordered list, i.e. T1; T2; T3; …………; Tn

• A series is the sum of the terms of the sequence, i.e. T1 + T2 + T3 +… Tn
• A finite series is the sum of a given number of terms, whereas an infinite
series is the sum of all the terms of a sequence. An infinite series only occurs
when a series is geometric and -1 < r < 1; r ≠ 0 (or in other words your ratio is
a positive or negative fraction). This concept will be explored in more detail in
Section F page 55.
• The formula for the sum of ‘n’ terms of an arithmetic series:
? = @2 − 1 &A
• If the last term of the sequence is given, then the formula is as follows:
? = @ BA, B = −1 &
• ? = ? , ∴ = ? − ?
: ;/
• The formula for the sum of a geometric series to n terms is: ? = or
;
: ;/
? =
;/

As a matric student you need to be able to prove these two series (sum) formulae.
Here is how to do it:

Sn = a + [a + d] + [a +2d] + [a + 3d] + ….. + [a + (n - 2)d] + [a + (n – 1)d]

Sn = [a + (n – 1)d] + [a + (n – 2)d] + [a + (n – 3)d] + ….+ [a + d] + a

Add these two sums together:

2Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d] + [2a + (n – 1)d] + [2a + (n – 1)d] + … + [2a + (n – 1)d]
= n[2a + (n – 1)d]
∴ ? = @ 2 − 1 &A
2

And for the geometric series the proof is just as easy:

Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + …. + arn - 2 + arn – 1

r × Sn = ar + ar2 + ar3 + …. + arn - 1 + arn (Multiply by r)
n
rSn - Sn = - a + 0 + 0 + 0 + …. + 0 + 0 + ar
∴ 2 ? − ? = 2 −
∴? 2−1 = 2 −1
: ; /
∴ ? = , r ≠ 1.
;
Example 1:

If T1 = 2 and d = 5,
a) Determine T1 to T5 of the sequence and
b) Calculate the sum of these first five terms.

Answers

a) T1 = 2, T2 = 7, T3 = 12, T4 = 17, T5 = 22

b) ? = @ BA
? = @2 22A
? = 60

Example 2:

Given that ? = − find the first 5 terms and say whether the sequence is
arithmetic or geometric, and then calculate the sum of these 5 terms.

? = 1 − 1 = − ∴ = ? = −
? = 2 − 2 = −1 ∴ = ? − ? = −1 − 5− 6 = − ? =
3 − 3 = − ∴ = ? − ? = 5− 6 − −1 =
? = 4 − 4 = 0 ∴ = ? − ? = 0 − − =
? = 5 − 5 = 1 ∴ = ? − ? = 1 − 0 = 1

& = so this is an arithmetic sequence as there is a common difference.

∴ ? = C2 5− 6 5 − 1 5 6D
? =1

You can put this sequence straight into your SHARP EL-W535 calculator and get
the correct answer:
Example 3:

Given that T1 = 0,1 and T15 = 2,9, calculate the sum of the arithmetic series to 15
terms.

T1 = 0,1 = a
= − 1 & = 2.9
0.1 14 & = 2.9
14& = 2.8 ∴ ? = @2 − 1 &A
& = 92 0.2 ∴ ? = C2 0.1 14 5 6D
∴ ? = 22 92 22.5
Example 4:

Given an arithmetic sequence of 32 + 28 + 24 + …… Determine the value of ‘n’ for

which the series total is 140.

∴ ? = @2 − 1 &A
∴ 140 = @2 32 − 1 −4 A
∴ 280 = @64 − 4 4A
∴ 280 = 64 − 4 4 Both values are positive and if they
∴ 0 = 4 − 68 280 are substituted into the formula
∴ 0 = − 17 70 both give a result of 140, so they
∴0= − 10 −7 both satisfy the equation.
n = 7 or n = 10.

Example 5:

The sum of the first 10 terms of an arithmetic series is 80. The sum of term 3 and
term 7 is 12. Calculate ‘a’ and ‘d’, and hence write down the series.

T3 = 2&
T7 = 6& ∴ 2& 6& = 12
∴ 2 = 12 − 8&
Remember that 2a = 12 – 8d
8
∴ ? 8 = 80 = @2 9&A
∴ 80 = 5@12 − 8& 9&A
80 = 5@12 &A
78
= 12 &
16 − 12 = &
&=4
∴2 = 12 − 8&
∴ = 6 − 4&
∴ =6−4 4
∴ = −10

∴ −10 − 6 − 2 2 6 ⋯

Example 6:

Calculate the geometric series: 1+3+9+27…..to 12 terms.

: ;/
? = You can put this straight into your SHARP EL-
;
13
∴ ? =
W535HT by keying in these buttons:

∴ ? = 265 720

Example 7:

Calculate the value of ‘n’, for which the series is equal to 16 383 , and where term 1
is and r = 2.
: ;/
? =
;
1 /
∴ 16 383 = 3

' '
∴ − = 1−2
∴ −32 767 = 1 − 2
∴ 32 768 = 2
∴ log 32 768 =
∴ = 15

Activity 2.6

1. Given the following general terms, determine the first 3 terms of the sequence,
and hence calculate the sum of those three terms.
a) Tn = -2n b) Tn = 4 – n

2. Given the general term, =2 3 , calculate the sum of the first 10 terms,
i.e. S10.
3. If S10 = 120 and S11 = 144, find the value of T11.

4. If ? = 3 , find the first 5 terms of the sequence, and say what type of
sequence it is.

5. Given the following arithmetic series , find the sum: (Hint find n first)

a) 3 + 6 + 9 + 12+…… +36.
b) 2 2 3 3 + …. 10.
c) 7 + 6,75 + 6,5 + 6,25 + …… 3,75.

6. Find the number of terms in the arithmetic series if the sum is 45,
T2 = and T5 = 3.

7. S6 = 159, T8 – T5 = 15. Find S10.

8. Calculate the sum of each geometric series given below:

a) 8 + 4 + 2 + ……… to 10 terms
b) 2 + -4 + 8 + ……… to 6 terms
c) … .. to 8 terms.
( '

9. If:
a) T1 = 3 and T7 = . Find S10 of the geometric series.
b) T1 = 2 and T8 = 4 374. Find S15 of the geometric seies.

10. S6 = 504 and r = 2. Find T1.

F Sigma Notation

F
H

• ∑ →This symbol is the Greek capital letter for S. It represents the sum of a
number of terms in a sequence. The above example reads as follows: Sigma
Tn, starting at n = 1, and ending with k = what?
(the sum of a number of terms of a general term)

There are certain sigma series that have a particular answer:

• ∑G H 1 = in other words → 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 and so on…. This is simply
counting and so will equal the number of terms in the sequence.
G GK
• ∑G H = in other words 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 and so on… if you use the
formula you should find the sum.
For example if you have: ∑ H then you are saying
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15. Simple if you have only 5 terms.
But when you have: ∑ 88 H then it becomes much more difficult and
G GK
you need to use the formula →
88 88K
∴
(which you can put straight into ∴ 5050
your EL-W535HT.)

Example 1: ∑7 H −1
This example is asking that you calculate the sum
where 1 is the first value to be substituted and 8 is
the last value to be substituted. So in all, 8 terms
will be added to get the answer.

Solution: ∑7 H −1
= 1(0) + 2(1) + 3(2) + 4(3) + 5(4) + 6(5) + 7(6) + 8(7)
= 0 + 2 + 6 + 12 + 20 + 30 + 42 + 56
= 168

Example 2: ∑ H 8 In this example, no general term is given, so that

means that each term in the sequence will be the
number 8. There will be 9 terms of 8 added together
as the starting value is 4 and the ending value is 12
 When you want to work out how many terms there are in ∑G HN
→k–n+1

Solution: ∑ H 8
=8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8
= 72

OR = 8 × 9 = 72

Example 3: In this example, a series is given, which needs to be

converted back to sigma notation.
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 +18 +21
Convert it to sigma notation

Solution: Try to find the arithmetic or geometric rule for the

sequence.
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 +18 +21
∴ = 3; & = 3
∴ =3 −1 3
=3 3 −3
∴ =3
the last term position in the sequence
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 +18 +21 = ∑ H 3'

The equation or formula

What term are you starting at?

Example 4:

5 + 9 + 13 + 17….to k terms) is equal to 324. Find k.

Solution:
a = 5, d = 4 ? = @2 − 1 &A
G
∴ 324 = @2 5 L − 1 4A
∴ 648 = L@10 4L − 4A
∴ 0 = 10L 4L − 4L − 648
∴ 0 = 4L 6L − 648
∴ 0 = 2L 3L − 324
∴ 0 = L − 12 2L 27
'
∴ L = 12 92 L ≠ −
as n ≠ a fraction or a negative number.
Example 5: ∑ H
8
2 1 If the number of terms given is too large to
calculate the sum of, as in the above
examples, the formula for arithmetic series or
geometric series can be used. First you would
need to decide whether the sequence has a
common difference or ratio.

Answer:
3 + 5 + 7 + ……. + 301. a = 3, d = 2, therefore this an
arithmetic sequence. The last term given is 301.
∴ ? = @2 − 1 &A OR ? = B
8 8
∴ ? 8 = @2 3 150 − 1 2 A ∴? 8 = 3 301
= 75@6 298A = 22 800
= 75 (304)
= 22 800

The general term for a geometric sequence is = 2 , and

: ;/
the equation for the sum of a geometric series is ? = ,
;
r 1. In sigma notation this would read as ? = ∑G H 2 .

Example 6:

Given:
88
1
? 88 = F 2
2
H

Find the sum of the first 100 terms of the geometric sequence.
Therefore:
= 2 8 = ; = 2 = 1; = 2 = 2; ∴ 2 = 2
: ;/
∴ ? =
; To put this into your SHARP EL-W535HT press:
1 1OO
∴ ? 88 = 3

∴ ? 88 = 6.338 × 10 (
Example 7:
Given:
1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + …… to 12 terms. Calculate the sum of this geometric series.

Answer:
=1
: ;/
2=3 ? =
;
13
? =
∴? = 265 720

Activity 2.7

1. Evaluate (means calculate) the following series by first determining if the series
is arithmetic or geometric:

a) 2 – 6 – 18………. To 8 terms.
b) 3 + 6 + 9………. To 8 terms.
c) ½ + 1+ 2………. To 8 terms.
d) 16 + 12 + 8………. To 8 terms.

2. Determine n in each of the following series by first identifying

whether it is arithmetic or geometric:

a) ∑GH 5 6 3 G
= 4920 b) ∑GH 2L 3 = 285

c) ∑GH 5 3 G
= 16400

3. Calculate:

a) ∑ H 5 6 4 b) ∑7 H 5 6

c) ∑ 7
H 3.2 d) ∑ H 4 5 6

4. Given the following information, find the value of ‘n’, or ‘k’:

a) Sn = 182, a = 8, and d = 6
b) Sn = 3 069, a = 3 and r = 2.
5. Evaluate the following:

a)∑ 88
H 3 −5 b) ∑ H
8
5 6 3

6. Write the following in sigma notation; all to k terms.

a) - 1 – 3 – 9………………
b) 2 + 1 + ½ ………………..

G Sum to Infinity

When no last term of a series is given, we cannot calculate a definite sum. We say
we are finding the sum to infinity. This is symbolised by using ∞.
In an infinite arithmetic series, the larger the value for ‘n’, the larger the answer.
That is, this series will always diverge → in other words, the answer for a sum to
infinity of a divergent series is infinity.
In an infinite geometric series, the result can either be divergent or convergent,
depending on the size of ‘r’. For the series to be divergent, the value for ‘r’ must be
less than -1, r = 1, or r is greater than 1. For a convergent series, ‘r’ must lie between
-1 and 1 (remember that r ≠ 0).
: :
?Q = 92 ∑Q H 2 = R STR 2 → 0 T → ∞
; ;

Example 1:

Find ?Q for the following sequence. Give a reason for the existence or non-existence
of ?Q .
Q
1
FU V
2
H
∴ = ; = ; =
7
∴ = & 2 =
:
∴ ?Q =
;
1

∴ ?Q = 3
1
3
∴ ?Q = 1

∴ The sum to infinity exists as -1 < r < 1 (the sum converges to 1 as ‘n’ increases).
Example 2:

Calculate the following if it exists:

Q
3
F 2 U V
2
H
∴ = 2 & 2 =
∴ ?Q cannot be calculated.

The sum of this series does not exist as r > 1

Example 3:
If ?Q is equal to 10 and a = 8, find the value of ‘r’:
:
∴ ?Q =
;
7
∴ 10 = Change 10 to an improper fraction
;
7
∴ = Cross multiply
;
∴ 32 − 322 = 24
∴ −322 = −8
∴ 2 =

Example 4:

Given the series: (p+2) + (p+2)2 + (p+2)3 …..

Determine for which values of ‘p’ the series will converge, and hence find the sum of
the series in terms of p. (For a converging series, -1 < r < 1)

a = (p+2) Therefore: -1 < p+2 < 1

r = (p+2) -3 < p < -1 (subtract 2 from both sides)

WK
So for -3 < p < -1, ?Q =
WK
WK
= for a convergent series
W
Activity 2.8

1. Given the following geometric series, find the sum to infinity:

a) ∑QH 2 5 6 b) 5,25 + 0,0525 + 0,000525

W
c) 1 … d) ∑Q
WH8 5− 6
(
2. Determine whether it is possible to calculate the sum to infinity:

∑QH 5 6 2

3. X ?Q = 15, = 3. YZ & 2.

'
4. X ?Q = , 2 = . YZ & .
7

5. A mountain climber is climbing a mountain. In his first hour he climbs 2km.

For every hour he climbs thereafter, he is only able to climb of the previous
height, due to an increase in the incline of the mountain. How high is he able
to climb before he needs to start using climbing equipment?
H Problem solving

Steps to solving problems:

• Know what you are being asked to find
• Write down information that will be useful in solving the problem
• Use diagrams to help understand the information in the question
• Make sure that all units given are the same, otherwise convert
• Use correct formulae to assign variables
• If solving a sequence problem, make sure you identify whether it is arithmetic
or geometric
• Solve for the unknown value by using appropriate equations
• Make sure the answer is logical and correct. Substitute it back to check the
accuracy.

Example:

Matchsticks are arranged in piles. The first pile consists of 10 matchsticks. Each pile
thereafter consists of 8 matchsticks more than the previous pile.

How many matchsticks are in the 25th pile?

If a pile consists of 98 matches, work out which pile it is.
Work out how many matches there are in the first 40 piles.

Solutions:

a) This sequence is arithmetic. Therefore, = 10 24 8 = 202

There are 202 matches in the 25th pile.

b) = 10 − 1 8 = 98
8 − 8 = 88
8 = 96
= 12

8
c) ? 8 = @2 10 40 − 1 8A
= 6640
Activity 2.9

1. On a certain day, 2 learners are found to be infected with the flu virus. Each
day thereafter, the number of new learners infected is three times the previous
day’s total.

a) Calculate how many people become infected on the 5th day.

b) If there are 2186 learners enrolled at the school, assuming that no one
is absent, how long would it take for all the learners to become
infected?
c) Calculate the total number of learners that are infected after 3 days of
school.

2. A census is done on a city and it is found that there is a population of 5000

people. Every successive year, the population increases by a tenth of the
previous year’s total population.

a) How many people are there in the third year after the census was
completed?
b) In what year after the census did the population reach 15000?
c) How many people are found to be living in this city after 10 years?
Answers for Activities
You can use the quadratic function in
stats mode to work this out, just press:
Activity 2.1

1. a) Formula: = − 1
Next three terms: 24; 35; 48
Now to find press:
b) Formula: terms 1,3 and 5 are
increasing negative Ans: 1
odd numbers, terms 2,4 and 6
are increasing positive odd Ans: 0
numbers
Ans: -1
Next three terms: -7; 7; -9.

c) Formula: multiplying each new term by 2 so: = 5 62

Next three terms: ; ;
7 You can use the exponential function in
stats mode to work this out, just press:
d) Formula: Increasing
order of 3
Next three terms: 81; 243; 729

e) Formula: adding alternatively

either a 1 or 0 after the
decimal point.
Next three terms: 0.10101; To find you’re a press:
0.010101; 0,1010101
Ans: 0,0078125

f) Formula: Multiplying the

next term by 2
Ans: 2

Next three terms: 8 '

; 16 (
; 32 '
Activity 2.2

1. a) 2 5 10 17 26
3 5 7 9
2 2 2

a+b+c=2 OR = −1
3a + b = 3
∴ =2 −1 3
2a = 2
∴ =2 3 −3 −3 2
∴ = 1
a=1
3(1) + b = 3
b=0
1+0+c=2
c=1 Tn = n2 + 1

b) 1 2 7 16 29 46
1 5 9 13 17
4 4 4 4

a+b+c=1
OR = −1
3a + b = 1
2a = 4 ∴ =1 −1 1
∴ =1 −1 2 −6 4
∴ =2 −5 4
a=2
3(2) + b = 1
b=-5
2–5+c=1
c=4 Tn = 2n2 – 5n + 4

c) 3 6 12 21 33
3 6 9 12
3 3 3

a+b+c=3 35 6 =3
3a + b = 3 b=−
2a = 3 − =3
a= c=3 = − 3
 d) 1 3 10 22 39 61
2 7 12 17 22
5 5 5 5

a+b+c=1 35 6 =2
3a + b = 2 b= −
2a = 5 − =1
a= c=4 = − 4

e) 3 5 8 12 17
2 3 4 5
1 1 1

a+b+c=3 35 6 =2
3a + b = 2 b=
2a = 1 =3
a= c=2

= 2

f) 2 6 11 17 24 32
4 5 6 7 8
1 1 1 1

a+b+c=2 35 6 =4
3a + b = 4 b=
2a = 1 =2
a= c=-1 ∴ = −1

2. 3 4 7 12 19 28
1 3 5 7 9
2 2 2 2

a) 28 39 52
9 11 13
2 2
 b) a + b + c = 3 3(1) + b = 1
3a + b = 1 b = -2
2a = 2 1 -2 + c = 3
a=1 c=4 Tn = n2 - 2n + 4

c) T22 = (22)2 – 2(22) + 4

= 444

d) Tn = 199 = n2 – 2n + 4
0 = n2 – 2n – 195 [To find the factors go to the table mode
0 = (n – 15)(n + 13) on your calculator (press )
n = 15 or n = - 13 then type in:
N/A
.
Press the button and look at the factor pairs for
example, does 1 and -195 add up to -2? … No, so we look at the next pair. We
continue doing this until we have found both factors, in our example 13 and -15.
Once we have our factors we can put them back into the brackets.

3. 2 4 9 17
2 5 8
3 3

a) 28 42 59
11 14 17
3 3

b) a + b + c = 2 35 6 =2
3a + b = 2 b= −
2a = 3 − =2
a= c=3 = − 3

c) T13 = 13 − 13 3
= 224
 d) Tn = 612 = − 3
1 224 = 3n2 – 5n + 6
0 = 3n2 – 5n – 1 218
0 = (3n + 58) (n – 21)
7
n=− or n = 21
N/A → because n cannot be negative or a fraction.

4. 10 20 36 58
10 16 22
6 6

a) Before you can find n, you need to find the formula:

a + b + c = 10 3(3) + b = 10
3a + b = 10 b=1
2a = 6 3 + 1 + c = 10
a=3 c=6 Tn = 3n2 + n + 6

206 = 3n2 + n + 6
0 = 3n2 + n – 200
0 = (3n + 25)(n – 8)
= − or n = 8
N/A

b) For this question, continue the sequence until your last term (206)
10 20 36 58 86 120 160 206
10 16 22 28 34 40 46
6 6 6 6 6 6

Now add the terms:

10 + 20 + 36 + 58 + 86 + 120 + 160 + 206
= 696 chickens

c) 2 weeks = 14 days n = 14
T14 = 3 (14)2 + (14) + 6
= 608 chickens on the 14th day.
Activity 2.3

1.
a) -2; -1; 0; 1; 2;…. T100 = 97
b) 6; 5; 4; 3; 2;….. T100= -93
You can use the table function on the SHARP EL-W535HT calculator to find
the terms in the pattern.

To do this you press then it will ask you “function?” you enter
the Tn = formula into the calculator using x in place of n. For example in 1a. you

would press the calculator will then ask

you start? You press then step – you press

the calculator will then give you a table with X and ANS. X is your
term position and continues indefinitely and ANS gives you the term value. You
can use this function with any of the patterns and you can find any term
position by scrolling down the table - press the key.
You can also enter the position you are looking for by putting as your start.

c) -2; 0; 2; 4; 6…. T100= 196

d) 4; 7; 10; 13; 16…. T100= 301
e) 1; 0; -1; -2; -3…. T100= -98
f) 4 ; 4 ; 5; 5 ; 5 …… T100= 37

2 a) T12 = 4(12) + 1 = 49

You can find the answer to this by putting the substitution straight into your EL-

W535HT by pressing

b) T4 = 3 4 = 12

8 K To put this into your EL-W535HT you press

c) T50 =
8
8
=
8
= if
you want the improper fraction simply press

the button, if you press the button again

you will have your answer in decimal form.
3. a) 9; 12; 15…
∴ = 3 15 6
= −1 & = 51
=9 −1 3
=9 3 −3 ∴ 88 = 3 100 6
∴ =3 6 = 306

b) 0; − ; −5 ….
∴ = − 15
=0 − 1 5− 6 = −35
∴ = −
∴ 88 = − 100
= −247

c) 7 9 ; 8 11 ; 9 13 …
∴ = 15 2 15 7 8
=7 9 −1 1 2 = 15 30 7 8
=7 9 2 1−2 = 37 23
∴ = 2 7 8
∴ 88 = 100 2 100 7 8
= 100 200 7 8
= 207 108

d) = 5; & = 7
∴ = 7 15 − 7 5
=5 −1 7 = 105 − 7 5
=5 7 −7 = 98 5
∴ =7 −7 5
∴ 88 = 7 100 − 7 5
= 700 − 7 5
= 693 5

(
4. a) -2; 1; 4;… (109) b) ; − ; − ; … . −19
'

∴ 109 = −2 −1 3 ∴ −19 = − 1 5− 6
(
∴ 111 = 3 − 1 ∴ − = 5− 6 −1
∴ 37 = − 1 ∴ 21 = − 1
∴ = 38 ∴ = 22
 c) ; 2 3; 3 6; … 50 147

∴ 50 147 = −1 3
∴ 49 147 = 3 −1
( [K
∴ = −1
[K
∴ = 50

d) log √2 ; log 4 ; log 8√2 … . log 2

1 1
∴ log 23 ; log 2 ; log 2 3 … . log 2
∴ log 2 ; 2 log 2 ; 3 log 2 … . . 23 log 2

∴ 23 log 2 = log 2 − 1 5 log 26

∴ 22 log 2 = 5 log 26 −1
∴ 15 = − 1
∴ = 16

5. a) = 14; 8 = 94

∴ 19& = 94 = −1 −1 5
3& = 14 = −1 5 − 5
16& = 80 ∴ =5 −6
∴&=5
∴ = 5 14 − 6
∴ 19 5 = 94 = 64
∴ = −1

∴ −1; 4; 9 …

b) ' = 12; = −40

∴ 32& = −40 ∴ = 24 − 1 −2
6& = 12 = 24 − 2 2
26& = −52 ∴ = −2 26
∴ & = −2
∴ = −2 14 26
∴ 12 = 6 −2 = −2
∴ = 24

∴ 24; 22; 20; …

 c) =2 3 ; & = 1

∴ 4 1 =2 3 ∴ = −2 − −1 1
∴ 4 4 =2 3 = −2 − −1−
∴ = −2 − ∴ = −3 − 2

∴ −2 − ; −1; … ∴ = −3 − 2 14 14
= 11 12

d) = 5 − 2; = −3

∴ −3 5 & =5 −2 ∴ = −3 −1 5 6
∴ 5& = 5 1 = −3 − −
∴&= ∴ = −3 −

∴ −3; −2 ; −2 2 ; ….
∴ = −3 −
= − 13

6. 3; 2 − 2; 5 1; …

a) 2 −2− 3 =5 1− 2 −2
2 −2− −3=5 1−2 2
−5=3 3
∴ −2 = 8
∴ = −4

b) −4 3; 2 −4 − 2; 5 −4 1
∴ −1; −10; −19

c) ∴ = −1 − 1 −9
∴ 8 = −1 20 − 1 −9
= −172

d) −64 = −1 − 1 −9
−63 = −9 − 1
∴ −1=7
∴ =8
Activity 2.4

1.
a) T20= 6 + (19).6 = 120 b) T20= -11+(19).2 = 27
c) T20= (p+2q) + (19)(2p+q) d) T20= − 19 . 5 6
= p + 2q + 38p + 19q =
= 39p + 21q = 14

e) (i) T6 = 2 + 5d (ii) T20 = 2 + (19).12

62 = 2 + 5d = 230
60 = 5d
12 = d

2.a) Tn= 4n – 2
(i) T1= 4(1) – 2=2 (ii) T1 = 2
a=2 T2= 4(2) – 2 = 6
T3 = 4(3) – 2 = 10
d=4

b) Tn= 5 + 3n
(i) T1= 5 + 3(1) = 8 (ii) T1 = 8
a=8 T2 = 5 + 3(2) = 11
T3 = 5 + 3(3) = 14
d=3

c) Tn= n (ii) T1 =
(i) T1 = (1) = T2 = (2) = 1
a= T3= (3) =
d=

d) Tn= 6 - 2n
(i) T1= 6 – 2(1) = 4 (ii) T1 = 4
a=4 T2 = 6 – 2(2) = 2
T3 = 6 – 2(3) = 0
d = -2
3.
a) a = 2, d = 2 b) a = -3, d = 4
Tn = 2 + (n - 1).2 Tn= -3 + (n – 1).4
48 = 2 + 2n – 2 81 = -3 + 4n - 4
48 = 2n 88 = 4n
24 = n 22 = n
T24 = 48 T22= 81

c) a=2 ,d= d) a = a, d =(a +1)

Tn= 2 + (n – 1).5 6 Tn= a + (n – 1) (a + 1)
6 = 2 + n - 12a + 11 = a + an + n – a - 1
4 = n 12a +12 = an + n
(
= n 12(a + 1) = n(a + 1)
19 = n (x4) 12 = n [(a + 1)]
T19 = 6 T12= 12a + 11

4.
a) T8= a + 7d = 22 (1) b) T11= a + 10d = -28 (1)
T17= a + 16d = 49 (2) T30= a + 29d = -104 (2)
Subtract (1) from (2): Subtract (1) from (2):
9d = 27 19d = -76
d=3 d = -4
Substitute d = 3, into (1): Substitute d = -4, into (1):
22 = a + 7(3) -28 = a + 10(-4)
1=a 12 = a
T1= 1, T2= 4, T3= 7 T1= 12, T2= 8, T3= 4
T25= 1 + 24.3 = 73 T25= 12 + 24.-4 = -84

c) T6= a + 5d = 10 (1) d) T4= a + 3d = 7x + 10 (1)

T21= a + 20d = 14 (2) T15= a + 14d = 29x + 43 (2)
Subtract (1) from (2): Subtract (1) from (2):
(
15d = 11d = 22x + 33
d= 11d = 11(2x + 3)
8
Substitute d = into (1): d = 2x + 3
8
10 = a + 5( ) Substitute d = 2x + 3 into (1):
8
10 − = a 7x +10 = a + 3(2x + 3)
 '
=a 7x + 10 = a + 6x + 9
' (
T1= , T2 = , T3 = x+1=a
8
'
T25= + 24.5 6 T1= x + 1, T2= 3x + 4, T3= 5x + 7
8
'
= T25 = x + 1 + 24.(2x + 3)
8
= x + 1 + 48x + 72
= 49x + 73

Activity 2.5

1.
.3 .4
a) = and = and = therefore this is a geometric sequence as there
.1 .3
is a common ratio of . T4 =
7
= ; =

.3 .4
b) a = 3 and = 4, = 4 therefore this is a geometric sequence as there is a
.1 .3
common ratio of 4. T4 = 192, T5 = 768, T6 = 3072

c) a = -7 and T2 – T1 = -3, T3 – T2 = -3 therefore this is an arithmetic sequence as

there is a common difference of -3.
T4 = -16, T5 = -19, T6 = -22

d) a = 5 and T2 – T1 = 4, T3 – T2 = 4 therefore this is a arithmetic sequence as there

is a common difference of 4. T4 = 17,
T5 = 21, T6 = 25.

.3 .4
e) = − and = , = , therefore this is a geometric sequence as there is
.1 .3
7
a common ratio of . = − ;
' (
= − , and = −
7

f) = and T2 – T1 = , T3 – T2 = , therefore this is an arithmetic sequence as

'
there is a common difference of .
(
= ; = ; = .
'
 2.
a) = 2 = b) = 2 = −88 573
8
'' '
22 = 2 =
8
You can solve this by pressing

2 = 2 = −177 147
these buttons on your SHARP
EL-W535HT calculator: 8 7
11
2 = \ 2 = √−177 147
11
8 7

2 = 2 = −3

8
= 2. 5 6 = . −3 8

= = 1 743 392 201

77

Again, you can plug this straight into your SHARP EL-
W535HT calculator by pressing:

'' '
c) = 2 = 8192 d) = 2 =
'' '
4 2 = 8192 82 =
11 '' '
2 = 2048 √2 = \
11
8 7

√2 = ] 2048 2 =
11 11

2=2

8
=4 2 8
= 8. 5 6
= 4 194 304 = 26 602. 05384
3.
a) = 2 b) = 2
1• 2
= 32 768 −3280 = −3
log 32 768 = − 1 −6561 = −3
− 1 = 15 log 6 561 = − 1
= 16 − 1 = 8
Remember from logs that you can change an =9
exponential equation into a log equation in order to
find the exponential unknown. Press the following
sequence of keys to get the answer:

c) = 2 d) = 2
4 096 = 2 =8
65 536 = 2 =

log 65 536 = − 1 log 1 = − 1

<
− 1 = 16 − 1 = 4
= 17 = 5

4.
a) = 2 b) = 2
= 22 = 32 = 2 = 729
'
2 = 16 √2 = √729
_ _

√2 = √16 2 = 3
< <

2=2

c) = 2 d) = 2
= 2 = 2 592 ( = −52 7 = −
2 = 2592 27 =
`
√2 = √7 776 √2 7 = \
= = `

∴2=6 ∴2=a
 .3 .4
5. = b 2 =
.1 .3
W W
= b−2 =
WK W
=b b b 2 = b−2 b−2
b 2b = b − 4b 4
6p = 4
b = = cR2d 3

∴ =b 2 ∴ =b−2
= 2 = − 2
7
= = −

Activity 2.6

1.
a) = −2 → = −2 1 = −2 2 = −2 3
= −2 = −4 = −6

∴ ? = @2 −2 3 − 1 −2 A
= @−8A
= −12

b) =4− → =4−1 =4−2 =4−3

=3 =2 =1

∴ ? = @2 3 3 − 1 −1 A
= @4A
=6

2. =2 3 ∴ =2 1 3 = 2 2 3
=5 =7
=2 3 3=9 ∴ = 5 & & = 2
8
? 8 = @2 5 10 − 1 2 A
= 140

3. ? 8 = 120 ? = 144
∴ cℎR f BSR 9 ZT
? − ? 8 = 144 − 120
= 24
4. ? =3

? =3 1 1=4 =? =4
? =3 2 2 = 14 = ? − ? = 14 − 4 = 10
? =3 3 3 = 30 = ? − ? = 30 − 14 = 16
? =3 4 4 = 52 = ? − ? = 52 − 30 = 22
? =3 5 5 = 80 = ? − ? = 80 − 52 = 28

There is a common difference of 6, therefore this is an arithmetic

sequence.

5.
a) = 3, & = 3 = 36 = 3 −1 3
36 = 3 3 − 3
3 = 36
∴ = 12

? = @2 3 12 − 1 3 A
= 6@39A
= 234

b) = 2, & = = 10 = 2 −1 5 6
10 = 2 −
'
=
= 17
'
? ' = C2 2 17 − 1 5 6D
'
= @12A
= 102

c) = 7, & = − = 3.75 = 7 − 1 5− 6
3.75 = 7 −
(
= −
− = −
= 14
? = C2 7 14 − 1 5− 6D
= 7 C10 D
= 75
6. ? = 45, = & =3

∴ = & …… 1
3= 4& …… 2

Equation 2 – Equation 1:
= 3&
∴ & = Substitute into Equation 1

∴ =
∴ =1

∴ ? = 45 = C2 1 − 1 5 6D
90 = C2 − D
90 = 2 −
∴0= 3 − 180
∴0= 15 − 12
∴ = −15 92 = 12
A term position can never be negative ∴ = 12

7. 7 − = 15
∴ 7& − 4& = 15
∴ 3& = 15
∴&=5

∴ ? = 159 = @2 6−1 5 A
159 = 3@2 25A
53 = 2 25
8
2 = 28 ∴ ? 8 = @2 14 10 − 1 5 A
∴ = 14 ∴ ? 8 = 5@73A
∴ ? 8 = 365

8.
1 1O
7U5 6 V
? =
3
a) 8 1

3

= 15
 _
b) ? =
=
= −42

1 1 `
U5 6 V
?7 =
4 4
c) 1

4
78
=

9.
a) = 3 & ' =
∴ = 3 Substitute into : ' = = 2
32 =
∴ 2 =

√2 = \ ∴ 2 = a
_ _

1 1O 1 1O
U5 6 V U5 6 V
? = ? =
3 3
8 1 OR 8 1
3 3
8(
=5 =1

b) = 2, & 7 = 4 374
∴ = 2 Substitute into: 7 = 4 374 = 2 '
4 374 = 22 '
∴ 2 ' = 2 187
√2 ' = g√2187
g

∴2=3
h 1= i
? =

= 14 348 906

: _
10. ? = 504 =
504 = 63
∴ =8
∴ = 8
Activity 2.7

1.
a) Geometric sequence: a = -2, r = 3.
_
?7 =
∴ ?7 = −6 560

b) Arithmetic sequence: a = 3, d = 3.
7
?7 = @2 3 8−1 3 A
∴ ?7 = 4@27A
∴ ?7 = 108

c) Geometric sequence : a = , r = 2.
1 `
?7 = 3

∴ ?7 = 127

d) Arithmetic sequence: a = 16, d = -4.

7
?7 = @2 16 8 − 1 −4 A
∴ ?7 = 4@4A
∴ ?7 = 16

2.
1 /
a) 4920 = 3
b) 285 = @2 5 −1 2 A

9841 = 3 −1 570 = @10 2 − 2A

19 682 = 3 − 1 570 = 8 2
19 683 = 3 0 = 4 − 285
log 19 683 = 0= 19 − 15
=9 ∴ = 15 ; ≠ −19
n can never be negative therefore n is only equal to 15.
 /
c) 16 400 =

32 800 = 5 3 − 1
6 560 = 3 − 1
6 561 = 3
log 6 561 =
= 8

3.
a) ∑ H 5 6 4 b) ∑7 H
1 =
h i
∴ ? = 3
∴ ? = C2 57 6 6 − 1 52 6D
∴ ? = 170 ∴ ? = 3 C27 D
∴ ? = 82

c) ∑ 7
H 3∙2 d) ∑ H 4 5 6
1 =
U5 6 V
∴ ? = @2 36 13 − 1 6 A ∴ ? = 1
3

3
'
∴ ? = @144A ∴ ? = 3
7
∴ ? = 936
4.
: ;/
a) ? = @2 − 1 &A b) ? =
;
/
∴ 182 = @2 8 −1 6 A ∴ 3 069 =
∴ 364 = @16 6 − 6A ∴ 3 069 = 3 2 − 1
∴ 0 = 16 6 − 6 − 364 ∴ 1 023 = 2 − 1
∴0=6 10 − 364 ∴ 1024 = 2
∴0=3 5 − 182 ∴ log 1024 =
∴0= 3 26 −7 ∴ = 10
∴ ≠ − or = 7 as it needs to be positive.
n also needs to be a whole number i.e. not a fraction
5.
a) ∑ 88
H 3 −5 Arithmetic series with:
T1 = -2, T2 = 1, T3 = 4, therefore a = -2 and d =3

? = @2 − 1 &A
88
∴ ? 88 = @2 −2 100 − 1 3 A
∴ ? 88 = 50@293A
∴ ? 88 = 14 650

b) ∑ H
8
5 6 3 Geometric series with:
(
= ; = ; = , cℎR2R 92R = & 2 = 3

: ;/
? =
;
1 1=O
h i
∴ ? 8 = 3

∴ ? 8 = 9.25 × 10'8

6.
a) a = -1, r = 3, therefore this is a geometric sequence.

∑G H −1 3

b) a = 2, r = , therefore this is a geometric sequence.

∑G H 2 5 6

Activity 2.8

1.
a) = 2, 2 = b) = 5.25, 2 =
88
: :
?Q = ?Q =
; ;
.
?Q = 1 ?Q = 1

4 1OO
8
?Q = 3 ?Q = 5
 c) = 1, 2 = d) = 1, 2 = −
: :
?Q = ?Q =
; ;
?Q = 1 ?Q = 1
5 36
4

?Q = 1 ?Q =

7
2. = = =
∴ = and 2 = 2
∴ There is no sum to infinity because r > 1.
: :
3. ?Q = 4. ?Q =
; ;
' :
∴ 15 = ∴ = 1
;
`
' '
∴ 1 − 2 = ∴ = ×
7
(
∴ 2 = ∴ =
7

5. = 2, 2 =
:
?Q =
;
∴ ?Q = 4 Therefore he can climb 5km before the incline is too steep

=
∴ ?Q = 5 and he will have to use climbing equipment.

Activity 2.9

1.
: ;/
a) = 2, 2 = 3 b) ? =
;
/
= 2 3 2 186 =
= 162 2 186 = 3 − 1
2 187 = 3
log 2187 =
4
c) ? = =7
? = 26 learners are affected after 3 days
2.
8
a) = 5000 5 6 c) 8 = 5000 5 6
8 8
= 6050 8 = 11 789.7
∴ 8 = 11 790
You can’t get 0.7 of a person so you
will have to round off – remember to
round up and not down.
b) = 15 000 = 5000 5 6
8

∴ 3 = 5 6
8

log 11 3 = −1 Check: = 5000 5 6

1O 8
− 1 = 11.5 = 14 265.58
= 12.5 = 5000 5 6
8
= 15 692.14
Therefore the population will reach 15 000 in the 12th year.