Scribd
Upload
438 views1 page

Arithmetic Sequence Contest Prize Calculation

An arithmetic sequence is being used to model a radio contest where the prize money increases by ₱50 each day that no one correctly names the mayor's favorite movie. The initial prize was ₱100. Using the explicit formula for an arithmetic sequence, an = a1 + (n - 1)d, where a1 is the initial term of ₱100, d is the common difference of ₱50, and n is the day number of 11, the summary calculates that the prize on the 11th day will be ₱600.

Uploaded by

beaxallaine
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
438 views1 page

Arithmetic Sequence Contest Prize Calculation

An arithmetic sequence is being used to model a radio contest where the prize money increases by ₱50 each day that no one correctly names the mayor's favorite movie. The initial prize was ₱100. Using the explicit formula for an arithmetic sequence, an = a1 + (n - 1)d, where a1 is the initial term of ₱100, d is the common difference of ₱50, and n is the day number of 11, the summary calculates that the prize on the 11th day will be ₱600.

Uploaded by

beaxallaine
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Arithmetic Sequence: Real life

Example

A local radio station is holding a contest to help people get to know the newly
elected mayor. The morning DJ is asking listeners to call in and name the new
mayor's favorite movie. If the third caller does not name the movie correctly,
the ₱100 prize money is increased by ₱50 for the next day. This ₱50 addition
continues every morning until a caller answers correctly. If no one answers until
the 11th day, how much will the lucky caller win?

Let's be honest, this isn't a monster of a problem to tackle by hand. However,


it'll be quicker to use an arithmetic sequence. After all, an arithmetic
sequence is created whenever we have the same amount added or
subtracted over and over again.

Remember the explicit form for an arithmetic sequence looks like:


𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

In our situation, the first prize was ₱100, so that's a1. The common
difference is ₱50, which we should put in for d.

𝑎𝑛 = 100 + (𝑛 − 1)50

Since we would like to find the prize money after 11 days, we can just
throw 11 in for n and calculate.

𝑎11 = 100 + (11 − 1)50

𝑎11 = 100 + (10)50

𝑎11 = 100 + 500

𝑎11 = 600

So the lucky winner will earn a healthy sum of ₱600 for calling in and
randomly guessing Dumb and Dumber. What can we say? The mayor
has great taste.

You might also like