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Introduction To Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences Notes dhr2020 PDF

The document introduces arithmetic and geometric sequences. Arithmetic sequences are built by repeatedly adding the same number, called the common difference, to the first term. Geometric sequences are built by repeatedly multiplying the same number, called the common ratio, to the first term. Recursive and explicit definitions of sequences are provided.

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103 views2 pages

Introduction To Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences Notes dhr2020 PDF

The document introduces arithmetic and geometric sequences. Arithmetic sequences are built by repeatedly adding the same number, called the common difference, to the first term. Geometric sequences are built by repeatedly multiplying the same number, called the common ratio, to the first term. Recursive and explicit definitions of sequences are provided.

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Cleopatra Tam
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Introduction to Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences – Notes

-A sequence is simply an ordered list of numbers. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,… ______, ______
-Each number in the sequence is called a “term.”
-Terms are referred to by the following notation: a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 … a(n-1) an
-If we refer to a generic term of the sequence, we say an.
-The term that comes directly before a13 is a12, so the term directly before an is a(n-1).

Arithmetic Sequences Geometric Sequences


Arithmetic Sequences are built by repeatedly adding the Geometric Sequences are built by repeatedly multiplying
same number (called the common difference) to the first the same number (called the common ratio) to the first
term a1. term a1.
Arithmetic: 17, 13, 9, 5, 1, -3, -7… Geometric: ¾, 3, 12, 48, 192, …
a1 = 17 a1 = ¾
common difference = -4 common ratio = 4

Recursive Definition (Formula) of a Sequence


In order to describe a sequence to someone, we simply must tell them where to start, and then how to get the next
term of the sequence. A recursive definition must be repeated over and over to create the sequence.

Recursive Definition of an arithmetic sequence Recursive Definition of a geometric sequence


17, 13, 9, 5, 1, -3, -7… ¾, 3, 12, 48, 192, …
Since this pattern starts with 17, we must say a1 = 17. Since this pattern starts with ¾, we must say a1 = ¾.
Then to get the next number, we take the term before it, Then to get to the next number, we take the term before
and subtract 4, (or add -4.) it, and multiply by 4.
So: an = a(n-1) – 4 So: an = a(n-1)*4

Remember, recursive definitions must have two parts, first tell where the pattern begins, and then what math is
repeated in order to get the next term of the sequence. Recursive definitions are simple, and easy to understand,
and regularly used in computer programming. Unfortunately, they are tedious to use if we wanted to know a20,
because we would have to find a19 first. And to find a19, we need to know a18……. It gets old quickly!

This study source was downloaded by 100000823767997 from CourseHero.com on 04-06-2024 05:39:25 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223308888/introduction-to-arithmetic-and-geometric-sequences-notes-dhr2020pdf/
Explicit Definition (Formula) of a Sequence
In order to be able to quickly find any term of a sequence, we need a more direct way, or explicit formula for each
term. The explicit formula includes the first term and the math we must repeat, all in one formula.

Explicit Formula of an arithmetic sequence Explicit Definition of a geometric sequence


17, 13, 9, 5, 1, -3, -7… ¾, 3, 12, 48, 192, …

This pattern starts at 17, and then to get the 5th term (a5), This pattern starts at ¾ and then to get to the 4th term
we had to add -4 how many times? Notice, to get to a5, (a4) we had to multiply by 4 three times. (“n-1” times)
we only had to add -4 four times. So, the explicit We use exponents to indicate repeated multiplication.
formula is: So, the explicit formula is:
an = 17 - 4(n-1) an = ¾ * 4(n-1)
We start with 17 and add -4 “n-1” times. We start with ¾ and then multiply by 4 “n-1” times.
Generically: an = a1 + d(n-1) where d is the common Generically, an = a1 * rn-1 where r is the common ratio and
difference and n is the term we are looking for. n is the term we are looking for.

So, examples from your worksheet:

10 6
35 A a L
An AinIHO aneacn D.tt
An 35tlOln D an _1.1 6
Ase 35 10 52 1 Ag I f 6
355481511 279,936

This study source was downloaded by 100000823767997 from CourseHero.com on 04-06-2024 05:39:25 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223308888/introduction-to-arithmetic-and-geometric-sequences-notes-dhr2020pdf/
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