Sequences

In mathematics, a sequence is an ordered list of numbers or other

mathematical objects that follow a particular pattern. Sequences are important
in many areas of mathematics, including calculus, analysis, number theory,
and discrete mathematics.

We come across sequences in many places in real life. For example, the
house numbers in a row, salary in successive years (by a fixed amount or a
by a fixed percentage), page numbers of a book, etc represent sequences.
Let us learn more about sequences along with their types, rules, formulas,
and examples.

What is a Sequence?
A sequence is a list of numbers (or elements) that exhibits a particular
pattern. Each element in the sequence is called a term. A sequence can be
finite, meaning it has a specific number of terms, or infinite, meaning it
continues indefinitely. Sequences can be described in different ways, such as
an explicit formula, a recurrence relation, or a table of values.

There are several types of sequences in math such as arithmetic sequences,

quadratic sequences, geometric sequences, triangular sequences, square
number sequences, cube number sequences, and triangular number
sequences. Let us learn each of the sequences in detail in the upcoming
sections.

Order of the Sequence

The order of a sequence can be either ascending or descending order.

Ascending Order
If the elements of the sequence are in increasing order, then the order of the
sequence is ascending.
The above sequence is in ascending order as its terms are "increasing" by 2.

Descending Order
If the elements of the sequence are in decreasing order, then the order of the
sequence is descending.

The above sequence is in descending order as its terms are "decreasing" by

4.

Finite and Infinite Sequences

There are two types of sequences: finite sequences and infinite sequences. It
is possible to count the number of terms in a finite sequence. An infinite
sequence is a sequence that is not finite.

Finite Sequence
A sequence having a finite number of terms is called a finite sequence. For
example, a sequence of the number of bounces a ball takes to come to the
rest is a finite sequence.

Infinite Sequence
A sequence having an infinite number of terms is called an infinite sequence.
For example, a sequence of natural numbers forms an infinite sequence: 1, 2, 3,
4, and so on.

Types of Sequences in Math

There are a few special sequences like arithmetic sequence, geometric
sequence, Fibonacci sequence, harmonic sequence, triangular number
sequence, square number sequence, and cube number sequence. Apart from
these, there can be sequences that follow some other pattern. For example, 2,
9, 28, 65, ... is a sequence in which the numbers can be written as 13 + 1, 23 +
1, 33 + 1, 43 + 1,.... and this sequence does not belong to any of the following
sequences.
We will discuss these sequences in detail.

Arithmetic Sequence
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers in which each successive
term is a sum of its preceding term and a fixed number. This fixed number is
called a common difference. The terms of the arithmetic sequence are of the
form a, a+d, a+2d, ....
Example: Kashif put $30 in his bank account when he was 7 years old. He
increased the amount on each successive birthday by $3. So, the amount in
his piggy bank follows the pattern of $30, $33, $36, and so on. The
succeeding terms are obtained by adding a fixed number, that is, $3. This
fixed number is called a common difference. It can be positive, negative, or
zero.

If we add or subtract by the same number each time to make the sequence,
it is an arithmetic sequence.
The term-to-term rule tells us how we get from one term to the next.
Here are some examples of arithmetic sequences:

First Term Term-to-Term Rule First 5 Terms

3 Add 6 3 9 15 21 27 …

8 Subtract 2 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, …

12 Add 7 12, 19, 26, 33, 40, …

-4 Subtract 5 -4, -9, -14, -19, -24, …

½ Add ½ ½, 1, 1½, 2, 2½, …

Examples of Arithmetic Sequence

Here are some examples of arithmetic sequences,

Example 1: Sequence of even number having difference 4 i.e., 2, 6, 10,
14, . . . ,
Here in the above example, the first term of the sequence is a 1=2 and the
common difference is 4 = 6 -2.
Example 2: -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, . . .
In this sequence, the common difference is 3. Each term is obtained by
adding 3 to the preceding term.
Example 3: 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, …
In this sequence, the common difference is -10. Each term is obtained by
subtracting 10 from the preceding term

First Common nth term

Arithmetic
Term Difference an = a1 + (n - 1)
Sequence d
(a) (d)

80 + (n - 1)
80, 75, 70, 65,
80 -5 (-5)
60, ...
= -5n + 85

π/2 + (n - 1)
π/2, π, 3π/2,
π/2 π/2 (π/2)
2π, ....
= nπ/2
 First Common nth term
Arithmetic
Term Difference an = a1 + (n - 1)
Sequence d
(a) (d)

-√2 + (n - 1)
-√2, -2√2, -3√2, -
4√2, ...
-√2 -√2 (-√2)
= -√2 n
Let’s find out the terms for AS:
 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, ... ...
 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,... ...
 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, 50, ... ...
 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, ... ...
 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, ...

Quadratic Sequence
We have already seen that if the differences (referred to as first differences)
between every two successive terms are the same, then it is called an
arithmetic sequence (which is also known as a linear sequence). But if the first
differences are NOT the same, and instead, the second differences are the
same, then the sequence is known as a quadratic sequence.

Example: The sequence 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, ... is a quadratic sequence because

their second differences are the same. Take a look at the figure below.
Geometric Sequence
A geometric sequence is a sequence where every term bears a constant ratio to
its preceding term. This ratio is called the "common ratio". The terms of the
geometric sequence are of the form a, ar, ar2, ....
Example: Consider an example of geometric sequence: 1, 4, 16, 64, .... Here,
4/1 = 16/4 = 64/4 = ... = 4. Hence, it is a geometric sequence with common
ratio 4.

Harmonic Sequence
A harmonic sequence is a sequence obtained by taking the reciprocal of the
terms of an arithmetic sequence.

Example: We know that the sequence of natural numbers is an arithmetic

sequence. So, taking reciprocals of each term, we get 1, 1/2, 1/3, ..., which is
a harmonic sequence as their reciprocals 1, 2, 3, ... form an arithmetic
sequence.

Triangular Number Sequence

A triangular number sequence is a sequence that is obtained from a pattern
forming equilateral triangles. Look at the figure below.

The sequence 1, 3, 6, 10, and so on is a triangular number sequence.

Square Number Sequence

A square number sequence is a sequence that is obtained from a pattern
forming squares. Look at the figure below.
The sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, and so on is a square number sequence.

Cube Number Sequence

A cube number sequence is a sequence that is obtained from a pattern
forming cubes. Look at the figure below.

The sequence 1, 8, 27, 64, and so on is a cube number sequence.

Fibonacci Sequence
Fibonacci sequence is a sequence where every term is the sum of the last two
preceding terms.
Example: A pair of rabbits do not reproduce in their 1st month. Starting from
the 2nd month and every subsequent month, they reproduce another pair.
Thus, the number of rabbits starting from 1st month are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7,
11, .... This is called the Fibonacci sequence.

Series and Partial Sums of Sequences

Consider a sequence given by a1, a2, a3, a4, .... Then the sum a1 + a2 + a3 +
a4 + .... is the series associated with the sequence. Series can be represented
using sigma notation, ∑. So, the series is represented as ∑n=1∞ an. The partial
sum is a part of the series. The sum up to k terms in the series ∑n=1k an and it
is called the partial sum of the series. Find more differences between a
sequence and a series by clicking here.

Example: Consider a sequence of prime numbers: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, and so on.

The series associated with this is ∑n=1∞ an, where an is the nth prime number.
The partial sum up to 4 terms is 2+3+5+7=17.

Rules of Sequences
We can generally have two types of rules for a sequence (if it is
geometric/arithmetic).

 Implicit rule where a term is expressed in terms of its previous term.

 Explicit rule where any term can be found using a general formula.

Example: Consider the sequence of odd numbers 3, 5, 7, .... We will define

two rules to define nth term (general term) of this sequence. Note that this
sequence is an arithmetic sequence with the first term 3 (a = 3) and the
common difference 2 (d = 5 - 3 = 2). Then:

 Implicit rule: an = an-1 + 2

 Explicit rule: an = a + (n - 1) d = 3 + (n - 1) 2 = 3 + 2n - 2 = 2n + 1.

Here, an = a + (n - 1) d is the formula for nᵗʰ term of the arithmetic sequence. Let
us see more formulas of different types of sequences in the upcoming section.

Sequences Formulas
As we have seen in the previous section, the formula for a sequence is
nothing but the formula for its nth term. Let us see the formulas for nth term (an)
of different types of sequences in math.
  Arithmetic sequence: an = a + (n - 1) d, where a = the first term and d = common
difference.
 Geometric sequence: an = arn-1, where a = the first term and r = common ratio.
 Fibonacci sequence: an+2 = an+1 + an. The first two terms are 0 and 1.
 Square number sequence: an = n2.
 Cube number sequence: an = n3.
 Triangular number sequence: an = ∑k=1n n. This can be further evaluated using
the sum of natural numbers formula.
Finding Missing Numbers in a Sequence
Using the above rules/formulas of sequences, we can find the missing
numbers of sequences. Sometimes, we don't need to find the general term also
to find the missing terms. If the given sequence doesn't belong to any of the
specific sequences mentioned above, then we have to observe the pattern of
the sequence and define the general term. Using that we can find the missing
numbers.

Example: Find the missing number of the sequence 2, 12, 36, 80, __.

Solution:

It is very clear that the sequence does not belong to any of the sequences that
we have mentioned in the previous section. So let us observe the terms. We
can see that:

 2 = 12 + 13
 12 = 22 + 23
 36 = 32 + 33
 80 = 42 + 43

Thus, the missing number would be 52 + 53 = 25 + 125 = 150.

Important Notes on Sequences:

 In an arithmetic sequence, each successive term is obtained by adding the common

difference to its preceding term.
 In a geometric sequence, each successive term is obtained by multiplying the
common ratio to its preceding term.
 The reciprocal of terms in harmonic sequence form an arithmetic sequence.
Sequences Examples
 Example 1: A taxi charges $2 for the first mile and $1.5 for each subsequent mile.
How much does Katie need to pay the taxi driver if she travels 20 miles?
 Solution:

The taxi charges for the first few miles are $2, $3.5, $5, ....

This is clearly an arithmetic sequence where the first term is, a = 2 and the common
difference is, d = 1.5.

The formula for finding its nth term is,

an = a + (n - 1) d

Substitute n= 20,

a20 = 2 + (20 - 1) (1.5) = $30.5.

Answer: Total charges = $30.5.

 Example 2: Flora loves growing flowers in her garden. There is 1 flower in the
1st row, 4 flowers in the 2nd row, 9 flowers in the 3rd row, and so on. In which row did
she plant 100 flowers?

Solution:

The sequence of the number of flowers starting from the first row is 1, 4, 9, ....

This is clearly a square number sequence. Its general term is, an = n2.
Substitute an = 100 here,
100 = n2

n = 10

Answer: There are 100 flowers in the 10th row.

 Example 3: The 6th term and 11th term of the harmonic sequence are 10 and 18
respectively. Find the common difference between the associated arithmetic
sequence.

Solution:

Let 'a' and 'd' be the first term and the common difference of the arithmetic sequence
that is associated with the given harmonic sequence.

By the definition of the harmonic sequence,

6th term in the associated arithmetic sequence is, a + 5d = 1/10 ... (1)
11th term in the associated arithmetic sequence is, a + 10d = 1/18 ... (2)

Subtracting (1) from (2),

 5d = -2/45

d = -2/225.

Answer: The required common difference is -2/225.

Exercise
1. Consider a sequence: 1, 10, 9, x, 25, 26, 49. Find x.

Solution:

The given sequence is a combination of two sequences:

Sequence – I: 1, 9, 25, 49 and

Sequence – II.: 10, x, 26

Here,

The pattern in I is +8, +16, +24.

The pattern in II is 32 + 1, 42 + 1, 52 + 1.

i.e. 10, 17, 26

So, 17 must be the missing number.

Therefore, the value of x is 17.

2. What is the 20th term of the sequence defined by an = (n – 1) (2 – n) (3 + n)?

Solution:

Given,

an = (n – 1)(2 – n)(3 + n)

Substituting n = 20, we get;

a20 = (20 – 1)(2 – 20)(3 + 20)

= 19 × (-18) × 23

= -7866

Therefore, the 20th term of the given sequence is -7866.

3. Write the first five terms of the sequence for which a1 = 3, an = 3an – 1 + 2 for all n > 1.

Solution:

Given,

a1 = 3

an = 3 an-1 + 2; n > 1

When n = 2,

a2 = 3a1 + 2 = 3(3) + 2 = 11

When n = 3,

a3 = 3a2 + 3 = 3(11) + 2 = 35

When n = 4,

a4 = 3a3 + 2 = 3(35) + 2 = 107

When n = 5,

a5 = 3a4 + 2 = 3(107) + 2 = 323

Therefore, the first five terms of the given sequence are 3, 11, 35, 107, 323.

4. What is the sum of odd integers from 1 to 1001?

Solution:

Odd integers from 1 to 1001 are: 1, 3, 5, …, 999, 1001

This is an arithmetic sequence with the first term, a = 1 and the common difference, d = 2, last
term, l = 1001.
Let n be the number of terms in the sequence.

So, an = l

a + (n – 1)d = 1001

1 + (n – 1)2 = 1001

(n – 1)2 = 1000

(n – 1) = 500

n = 501

Sum of the sequence = (n/2)(a + l)

= (501/2) (1 + 1001)

= (501 × 1002)/2

= 501 × 501

= 251001

Hence, the sum of the odd integers from 1 to 1001 is 251001.

5. What is the 80th term of the sequence 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, 23,…?

Solution:

Given sequence:

2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, 23,…

The differences between two consecutive terms of this sequence are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,…

Thus, it is neither arithmetic nor geometric sequence.

So, let’s find the general term for this sequence.

The second differences between the terms, i.e. for 2, 3, 4,… are:

1, 1, 1, 1, 1,…
A constant sequence is obtained after taking differences twice, so we can match the nth term of
the sequence with a quadratic formula. Thus, based on the initial term of each of the sequences
we can write it as:

an = (2/0!) + (1/1!) (n – 1) + (1/2!)(n – 1)(n – 2)

= 2 + (n – 1) + (1/2)(n – 1)(n – 2)

= 2 + n – 1 + (1/2) (n2 – 3n + 2)

= n + 1 + (1/2) (n2 – 3n + 2)

= (2n + 2 + n2 – 3n + 2)/2

= (n2 – n + 4)/2

Thus, the nth term of the given sequence is an = (n2 – n + 4)/2

Substituting n =80, we get;

a80 = [(80)2 – 80 + 4]/2

= (6400 – 76)/2

= 6324/2

= 3162

Therefore, the 80th term of the given sequence is 3162.

6. Find the sum of all numbers between 200 and 400, which are divisible by 7.

Solution:

The numbers lying between 200 and 400, which are divisible by 7, are:

203, 210, 217, … 399

This sequence is an AP with the first term, a = 203, last term, l = 399 and the common
difference, d = 7.

Let n be the number of terms of the sequence.

∴ an = l

a + (n –1) d = 399

203 + (n – 1) 7 = 399

(n – 1)7 = 399 – 203

⇒ 7(n – 1) = 196

⇒ n – 1 = 196/7 = 28

⇒ n = 29

Sum of the sequence = (n/2)(a + l)

= (29/2) (203 + 399)

= (29/2) (602)

= 29 × 301

= 8729

Thus, the required sum is 8729.

7. The sum of some terms of a geometric sequence is 315, whose first term and the common
ratio are 5 and 2, respectively. Find the last term and the number of terms.

Solution:

Let 315 be the sum of n terms of a geometric sequence.

Given,

First term = a = 5

Common ratio = r = 2

We know that,

Sn = a(rn – 1)/(r – 1); r > 1

315 = [5(2n – 1)]/ (2 – 1) {from the given Sn = 315}

315 = 5(2n – 1)

⇒ 2n – 1 = 315/5

⇒ 2n – 1 = 63

⇒ 2n = 64

⇒ 2n = 26

⇒n=6

Thus, the sum of 6 terms is 315.

We know that the nth term of the geometric sequence = arn-1

6th term of the given sequence = (5)×(2)6-1

= 5 × 25

= 5 × 32

= 160

Therefore, the number of terms of the sequence is 6, and the last term, i.e. the 6th term of the
sequence, is 160.

8. Find the sum of the first five terms of the sequence given by the recurrence relation a n+2 =
(an – an+1)2 – 10 and a1 = 5, a2 = 1.

Solution:

Given,

a1 = 5

a2 = 1

And
an+2 = (an – an+1)2 – 10

Let us find the next three terms of the sequence.

a3 = a(1 + 2)

= (a1 – a2)2 – 10

= (5 – 1)2 – 10

= 16 – 10

=6

a4 = (a2 – a3)2 – 10

= (1 – 6)2 – 10

= 25 – 10

= 15

a5 = (a3 – a4)2 – 10

= (6 – 15)2 – 10

= 81 – 10

= 71

Thus, the first 5 terms of the sequence are 5, 1, 6, 15, 71.

Sum of the sequence = 5 + 1 + 6 + 15 + 71 = 98

Therefore, the sum of the first five terms of the sequence is 98.

Practice Questions on Sequences

1. If the nth term of the sequence is 4n – 3, find the 17th and 24th terms of the sequence.
2. Write the first four terms in each of the following sequences defined by an = 2n + 5.
3. The product of three numbers of an arithmetic sequence is 224, and the largest number is 7 times the
smallest. Find the numbers.
4. Find the sum of the sequence 7, 77, 777, 7777, … to n terms.
5. Insert two numbers between 3 and 81 so that the resulting sequence is G.P.
6. Find the sum to n terms of the sequence whose nth term is n(n + 3).