Mathematics 10

Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 11
Solving Word Problems
Involving Sequence & Series
Mathematics – Grade 10
Quarter 1 – Self-Learning Module 11: Solving Word Problems Involving
Sequence and Series
First Edition, 2020

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Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

Writer: Leah F. Balajadia; Randell A. Diaz; Redentor J. Dizon III
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Mathematics 10
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 11
Solving Word Problems Involving
Sequence and Series
Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the Mathematics Grade 10 Self–Learning Module on Solving Word

Problems Involving Sequence and Series!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators both from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by
its Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims
to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely:
Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking and Character while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the self-learning module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this self-
learning module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and
assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the self-learning module.
For the Learner:

Welcome to the Mathematics Grade 10 Self–Leaning Module on Solving Word

Problems Involving Sequence and Series!

This self-learning module was designed to provide you with fun and
meaningful opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being
an active learner.

This self-learning module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills

that you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson

at hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts

and skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and

application of the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the

lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.
 EXPECTATIONS

1. Differentiate arithmetic from geometric sequence.

2. Solve word problems involving arithmetic and geometric sequences.

PRETEST

Directions: Read each of the following carefully. Write the letter that corresponds
to the correct answer.
For numbers 1 to 3, read the problem below.

The stack of logs has 15 logs the bottom row. The next row above it has 13
logs, the next row has 11, and so on up to the top. How many logs are in the 6th row
of the stack?
1. What kind of pattern is illustrated in the problem?

A. Arithmetic Sequence C. Arithmetic Series

B. Geometric Sequence D. Geometric Series

2. Which of the following illustrate the sequence formed in the problem?

A. 11, 13, 15, … C. 15, 13, 11, …
B. 6, 11, 13, 15, … D. 15, 13, 11, 6, …

3. How many logs are in the 6th row of the stack?

A. 9 logs B. 7 logs C. 5 logs D. 3 logs

For numbers 4 and 5, read the problem below.

Mr. Ty suffers from allergies. His doctor recommends that he should take 300
mg of his medication the first day. On the second day, he needs to decrease the dosage
to 150 mg, then 75 mg for next day, up to one week. How many mg of medication will
he take on the 7th day?

4. What kind of pattern is illustrated in the problem?

A. Arithmetic Sequence C. Arithmetic Series
B. Geometric Sequence D. Geometric Series

5. Which of the following formula will be used in answering the problem?

𝑛
A. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 C. 𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
𝑎1 (1-𝑟 𝑛 )
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 D. 𝑆𝑛 =
1-r
 RECAP

Direction: Find the common difference/ratio and indicated term of each of the
following sequences.

1. 3, 7, 11, 15, …, a10

2. 2, 4, 8, 16, …, a9
3. 64, 16, 4, 1, …, a11
4. 17, 11, 5, -1 …, a21
5. 4, -12, 36, -108, …, a8

LESSON

Arithmetic Sequence

- is a sequence of numbers such that the difference between the consecutive

terms is constant.

Geometric Sequence

- is a sequence of numbers in which the ratio in between terms is constant.

Examples:

Illustrate and solve each of the following word problems.

1. The Tanghalang Pasigueño has 20 seats in the front row, 26 seats on the second
row, 34 seats in the third row, and continues up to the last row. How many seats will
there be on the 10th row?

We need to illustrate first the problem using the sequence. In the problem
above, we have

20, 26, 34, …

Then, we have to identify the type of sequence formed. In our case, the terms
have a common difference which is equal to 6. Thus, the sequence is an arithmetic
sequence.

We will now identify what is being asked in the problem. In our case, the
problem asks for the 10th term. So, we have

20, 26, 34, … , 𝑎10

 To solve for the 10th term, we will use the formula 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑. Then,
we have

𝑎10 = 20 + (10 − 1)(6)

𝑎10 = 20 + (9)(6)

𝑎10 = 20 + 54

𝑎10 = 74 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠

Thus, there are 74 seats in the 10th row of the Tanghalang Pasigueño.

2. During the first day of research taken at the PCGH, they observed a patient’s body
with 64 000 illness-causing bacteria. After taking up a dose of antibiotic, it reduces
to 32 000 during the second day. By continuing the medication, the number reduces
to 16 000 on the third day and continues for 7 days. How many illness-causing
bacteria will remain after 7 days?

We illustrate the sequence as,

64 000, 32 000, 16 000, …

The terms of the sequence formed in the problem have a common ratio which
1
is equal to , therefore the sequence is a geometric sequence. The problem also asks
2
for the 7th term of the sequence, thus we have

64 000, 32 000, 16 000, … , 𝑎7

The formula that we will be using in finding the nth term of a geometric
sequence is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .

1 7−1
𝑎7 = (64000) ( )
2
1 6
𝑎7 = (64000) ( )
2
1
𝑎7 = (64000) ( )
64
𝑎7 = 1000 illness-causing bacteria

3. A ball is fired up from the ground and reaches a height of 48 inches. It then drops,
and rebounds at a height of 24 inches. It drops and bounces again at a height of 12
inches. If it bounces continuously, find the total distance covered by the ball.

48, 24, 12, …

 The problem asks for the sum of the terms of the infinite geometric series
1
whose common ratio is .
2

𝑎1
𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟
48
𝑆∞ =
1−½
48
𝑆∞ =
½
𝑆∞ = 96

But if we will look at the path of the ball in the illustration below,

48 in

24 in
12 in

The ball traveled twice, by going up and going down. Hence, we need to
multiply the sum obtained by 2. Therefore, the total distance covered by the ball will
be 96(2) = 192 inches.

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1: LET’S PRACTICE!

Direction: Illustrate and solve each of the following word problems.

1. The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are 11, 23 and 35. Find its 15th
term.
2. The first term of a geometric sequence is 3 with a common ratio of 4. Find the
8th term of the sequence.
3. Find the sum of the first 20 positive odd numbers.
ACTIVITY 2: KEEP PRACTICING!
Direction: Illustrate and solve each of the following word problems.

1. A recovering COVID-19 patient is told to get on a regular exercise. The patient

is told to exercise of 5 minutes on the first day, 8 minutes the second day, 11
minutes the third day, and so on for a period of 10 days. How long will the
patient exercise during the 10th day?
2. The number of infected COVID-19 persons in a community during the first
day of GCQ is 4, it became 8 on the second day and 16 on the third day. If no
further strict actions will be imposed and the pattern continues, how many
will be infected on the 7th day of GCQ?
3. In problem number 2, what will be the total number of infected persons in 7
days?

ACTIVITY 3: TEST YOURSELF!

Direction: Illustrate and solve each of the following word problems.

1. Lednar Zaid is getting better in his Math class. The class has a 50-item test
every week. On the first week, he got 21, then 24 on the second week and 27
on the third week. If his score continues to increase in the same rate, what will
be his score on the 8th test?
2. In problem number 1. What will be his total score for the 8 tests?
3. Aling Lucing invested Php 500 in an online business and earns a monthly
interest. Her money earned and became Php 625 in the end of the second
month. On the end of the third month, it became Php 781.25. If she will not
withdraw her money, how much will it become at the end of the 10th month?

WRAP–UP

How to solve real-life problems involving arithmetic or geometric sequence.

1. Illustrate the problem using a sequence.

2. Identify what is being asked in the problem, if it is a specific term or the sum
of the terms.
3. Identify the type of sequence and the formula to use.
4. Solve what is being asked by applying the formula.
 VALUING

Reflection: (Journal Writing)

How important is it for a student to learn how to solve real-life problems at

an early age? Share your thoughts and insights in 3-5 sentences and write these in
your notebook.

POSTTEST

Directions: Read each of the following carefully. Write the letter that corresponds to
the correct answer.

For numbers 1 to 3, read the problem below.

An auditorium has 20 seats on the first row, 24 seats on the second row, 28
seats on the third row, and so on and has 32 rows of seats. How many seats are in
the 10th row?
1. What kind of pattern is illustrated in the problem?
A. Arithmetic Sequence C. Arithmetic Series
B. Geometric Sequence D. Geometric Series

2. What is the common difference of the sequence formed from the problem in
number 1?
A. − 4 B. 4 C. 10 D. 20

3. How many seats are in the 10th row?

A. 20 B. 36 C. 44 D. 56

For numbers 4 and 5, read the problem below.

Suppose you go to work for a company that pays P100 on the first day, P200
on the second day, P400 on the third day and so on. How much will the company
pays you on the 7th day?

4. What kind of pattern is illustrated in the problem?

A. Arithmetic Sequence C. Geometric Sequence
B. Arithmetic Series D. Geometric Series

5. How much will you earn after 7 days?

A. Php 700 B. Php 800 C. Php 6400 D. Php 12700
 KEY TO CORRECTION
a8 = -8748 5. r = -3
B 5. a21 = -103 4. d = -6
PRETEST B 4. RECAP 16384
a11 =
4
3. r =
C 3. 1 1

C 2. a9 = 512 2. r = 2
a10 = 39 1. d = 4
A 1.
ACTIVITY 1
3. 1, 3, 5, 7, …, S20 S20 = 400

2. 3, 12, 48, …, a8 a8 = 49152

a15 = 179 1 1. 11, 23, 35, …, a15

ACTIVITY 2
S7 = 508 persons (Geometric Series) 3. 4, 8, 16, …, S7

a7 = 256 persons (Geometric Sequence) 2. 4, 8, 16, …, a7

a15 = 32 minutes (Arithmetic Sequence) 1. 5, 8, 11, …, a10

ACTIVITY 3
a10 = ₱3725.29 (Geometric Sequence) 3. 500, 625, 781.25, …, a10

S8 = 252 points(Arithmetic Series) 2. 21, 24, 27, …, S8

a8 = 42 points (Arithmetic Sequence) 1. 1. 21, 24, 27, …, a8

POSTTEST
5. C 4. C 3. D 2. B 1. A

REFERENCES
Callanta, Melvin, Canonigo, Allan, and Arnaldo Chua. Mathematics Learner’s Module
10. Manila: Department of Education, 2015.

Nivera, Gladys, and Minie Rose Lapinid. Grade 10 Mathematics: Patterns and
Practicalities K – 12. Manila: Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press, Inc., 2015.

Oronce, Orlando, and Marilyn Mendoza. E – Math 10: Worktext in Mathematics.

Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2017.

Oronce, Orlando, and Marilyn Mendoza. E – Math II: Intermediate Algebra, Worktext
in Mathematics for Second Year High School. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.,
2007.
Oronce, Orlando, and Marilyn Mendoza. Exploring Mathematics II: Intermediate
Algebra. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2003.