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Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

An arithmetic sequence is one where each term is found by adding a constant to the previous term. A geometric sequence is one where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant. Specifically: 1) In an arithmetic sequence, the difference between terms is constant, while in a geometric sequence each term is multiplied by the same factor. 2) The explicit formula for an arithmetic sequence is xn = a + d(n-1), while for a geometric sequence it is xn = ar(n-1). 3) Examples are provided to illustrate finding the common difference d in arithmetic sequences and the common ratio r in geometric sequences.

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Sunil Kumar
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511 views10 pages

Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

An arithmetic sequence is one where each term is found by adding a constant to the previous term. A geometric sequence is one where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant. Specifically: 1) In an arithmetic sequence, the difference between terms is constant, while in a geometric sequence each term is multiplied by the same factor. 2) The explicit formula for an arithmetic sequence is xn = a + d(n-1), while for a geometric sequence it is xn = ar(n-1). 3) Examples are provided to illustrate finding the common difference d in arithmetic sequences and the common ratio r in geometric sequences.

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Sunil Kumar
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ARITHMETIC & GEOMETRIC

SEQUENCES
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
In an Arithmetic Sequence the difference between one
term and the next term is a constant.
We just add some value each time on to infinity.
For example:
1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, …
This sequence has a difference of 3 between each number.
It’s rule is an = 3n – 2.
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
In general, we can write an arithmetic sequence like this:
a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, …
a is the first term.
d is the difference between the terms (called the “common
difference”)
The rule is:
xn = a + d(n-1)
(We use “n-1” because d is not used on the 1st term.)
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
For each sequence, if it is arithmetic,
find the common difference.
1. -3, -6, -9, -12, … 1. d = -3
2. 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.4, … 2. d = 1.1
3. 41, 32, 23, 14, 5, … 3. d = -9
4. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, … 4. Not an arithmetic sequence.
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
Write the explicit rule for the sequence
Find the 12th term of this sequence.
19, 13, 7, 1, -5, … Substitute 12 in for “n.”
Start with the formula: xn = a + d(n-1) x12 = 19 - 6(12-1)
a is the first term = 19 x12 = 19 - 6(11)
d is the common difference: -6 x12 = 19 – 66
The rule is: x12 = 19 - 6(12-1)
xn = 19 - 6(n-1) x12 = -47
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
In a Geometric Sequence each term is found by
multiplying the pervious term by a constant.
For example:
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, …
The sequence has a factor of 2 between each number.
It’s rule is xn = 2n
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
In general we can write a geometric sequence like this:
a, ar, ar2, ar3, …
a is the first term
r is the factor between the terms (called the “common
ratio”).
The rule is xn = ar(n-1)
We use “n-1” because ar0 is the 1st term.
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
For each sequence, if it is geometric,
find the common ratio.
1. 2, 8, 32, 128, … 1. r = 4
2. 1, 10, 100, 1000, … 2. r = 1.1
3. 1, -1, 1, -1, … 3. r = -1
4. 20, 16, 12, 8, 4, … 4. Not a geometric sequence.
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
Write the explicit rule for the sequence
Find the 12th term of this sequence.
3, 6, 12, 24, 48, … Substitute 12 in for “n.”
Start with the formula: xn = ar(n-1) x12 = (3)(2)(12-1)
a is the first term = 3 x12 = (3)(2)(11)
r is the common ratio: 2 x12 = (3)(2048)
The rule is: x12 = 6,144
xn = (3)(2)(n-1)
(Order of operations states that we would take care of exponents before you multiply.)
EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN
ARITHMETIC AND GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE.

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