Module 7.

Competency 3. Determines arithmetic means, nth term of an arithmetic sequence and sum of the terms
of a given arithmetic sequence.

Objectives:
1. Find the sum of the terms of a given arithmetic sequence
2. Solve problems involving the sum of arithmetic sequence

Summary of Key Ideas

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence where every term after the first is obtained by adding a
constant called the common difference (d).

The sequences 1, 4, 7, 10, ... and 15, 11, 7, 3, ... are examples of arithmetic sequences since each one
has a common difference of 3 and -4, respectively.

A. When to use the first formula?

The first formula is used when the first term, the nth term, and the number of terms are known.

B. What are the necessary known terms in order that the second formula can be applied?
The second formula is used when the first term, the number of terms, and the common difference are
known.

Example:

Find S10 if:

1. a1= 5 and a10 = 68 (use the first formula) 2. a1=5 and d=-7 (use the second formula)

Solution:

The subscript of S indicates the number of terms n.

10 10
1. S10 = (5+68) 2. S10 = (2)(5)+(10-1)(-7)
2 2

10
= (73) = 5 10+(9)(-7)
2

= 365 = 5 (10-63)
 = 5 - 53

= -265

Check what you know!

A. Find the sum of an arithmetic sequence using the given:

1. a1=-22, an = 14, n=10
2. a1=5, an=33, n=8
3. a1=1, n=10, d=4
4. a1=-2, n=20, d=-3

B. Read carefully and solve the following problem:

Your classmate Jeric, whose parents own a sari-sari store, used to bring chocolate wafer for their snacks
with his three friends. Unknowingly, Jeric illustrates a pattern. On the first day, he brought 2 pieces of chocolate
wafer, on the second day 5 pieces, on the third day 8 pieces. Suppose he will continue to bring chocolate wafer on
the same pattern…

1. What is the common difference?

2. How much will he bring on the 7th day?
3. How many chocolate wafer did Jeric bring from the first day until the seventh day?