Arithmetic Sequences

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence in which each term after the first is formed by adding a fixed number to the preceding term. The fixed number added to each term is called the common difference. The difference between successive terms is a constant number. 5, 9, 13, 17, 21 is an example of an arithmetic sequence because each term after the first is formed by adding four to the preceding term. 5 + 4 = 9, 9 + 4 = 13, 13 + 4 = 17, 17 + 4 = 21. The arithmetic extremes are the first and last terms of a finite arithmetic sequence whereas the arithmetic means are the terms in between the arithmetic extremes. To insert an arithmetic mean between two numbers, simply compute the average of these two numbers and the computed average is now the required arithmetic mean. Formulas:

1. an = a1 + (n 1)d 2. Sn = ( 3. Sn = )

[ 2a1 + (n 1)d ]

where an = nth term a1 = first term d = common difference = term preceding term n = number of terms Sn = sum of the terms Illustrative Problems 1. Insert six arithmetic means between 34 and -43. Solution: Step 1: Analyze the given. The given, 34 and -43, are arithmetic extremes, and the unknowns are arithmetic means. Recalling the definition of arithmetic means, an illustration can be made: 34, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, -43