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Mathematics
00 11

Quarter 1 - Module 2

Illustrates an arithmetic sequence

(M10AL-Ib-1)

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

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

ACTIVITY 1 Matchstick Activity

Directions: Take a look at the completed table below.

number of squares 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
number of matchsticks 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28

Let us take the number of matchsticks 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28. We see that the
number of matchsticks forms an arithmetic sequence. Suppose we want to find the 20th, 50th, and
100th terms of the sequence. How do we get them? Do you think a formula would help? If so, we
could find a formula for the nth term of the sequence. In this case, it will not be difficult since we
know the common difference of the sequence.
Let us take the first four terms. Let a1 = 4, a2 = 7, a3 = 10, a4 = 13. How do we obtain the
second, third, and fourth terms?
Consider the table below and complete it. Observe how each term is rewritten.

a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7 … an
4 4+3 4+3+3 4+3+3+
3

How else can we write the terms? Study the next table and complete it.

a1 a2 a3 a4 a5 a6 a7 … an
4+0(3) 4+1(3) 4+2(3) 4+3(3)

What is a5? a20? a50?

What is the formula for determining the number of matchsticks needed to form n squares?
In general, the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence with a1 as first term and d as common
difference are

a1, a1 + d, a1 + 2d1, …, a1 + (n – 1)d.

If a1 and d are known, it is easy to find any term in an arithmetic sequence by using the rule

an = a1 + (n – 1)d.
Example: What is the 10th term of the arithmetic sequence 5, 12, 19, 26, ...?
Solution: Since a1 = 5 and d = 7, then a10 = 5+(10 – 1)(7) = 68.
ACTIVITY 2 What is missing?
Directions: Find the missing terms in each arithmetic sequence.

A.
1. 3, 12, 21, ___, ___, ___
2. 8, 3, -2, ___, ___, ___
3. 5, 12, ___, 26, ___, ___
4. 2, ___, 20, 29, ___, ___
5. ___, 4, 10, 16, ___, ___
6. 17, 14, ___, ___, 5, ___
7. 4, ___, ___, 19, 24, ___, …
8. ___, ___, ___, 8, 12, 16
9. -1, ___, ___, ___, 31, 39
10. 13, ___, ___, ___, -11, -17
B.
Find three terms between 2 and 34 of an arithmetic sequence.

Things to Remember
A sequence where each succeeding term is obtained by adding a fixed number is called an
arithmetic sequence. This fixed number is the common difference d between any two succeeding
terms.
To find the common difference, d, simply subtract the first term from the second term, a2 – a1,
or the second term from the third term, a3 – a2, or the third term from the fourth term, a4 – a3; or in
general,
d = an – an – 1

Mastery Tests
A. Determine whether the sequence is arithmetic or not. If it is, find the common difference and
the next three terms.

1. 2, 5, 8, 11, …
2. 2, -4, 6, -8, 10, …
3. -6, -10, -14, -18, …
4. 40, 42, 44, 46, …
5. 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, …
6. 1, 5, 9, 13, …
7. 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, …
8. √ 5, √ 6, √ 7, …
9. 98, 95, 92, 89, …
10. 1, 4/3, 5/3, 2, …
B. Find the next three terms of the given arithmetic sequence.
1. 1, 10, 19, 28, ...
2. 1, 3, 5, 7, …
3. 5.5, 7, 8.5, 10, …
4. 43, 39, 35, …
5. 7, 4, 1, …
 C. Give the common difference of the following sequence.
1. 2, 4, 6, … d = _____
2. 13, 16, 19, 22, … d = _____
3. 99, 88, 77, 66, … d = _____
4. 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, … d = _____
5. 99, 87, 75, 63, … d = _____
6. -8, -3, 2, 7, … d = _____
7. 91, 84, 77, 70,… d = _____
8. √ 3, 2 √ 3 , 3 √ 3, … d = _____
9. 25, 34, 43, 52, … d = _____
10. 10, 4, -2, -8, … d = _____

D. Solve the following problems.

1. Mr. Simon bought a house at the beginning of 1995 for PhP 150,000.00. If it increased PhP
10,000.00 in value each year, how much was it worth at the end of 2005?
2. A restaurant has square tables which seat four people. When two tables are placed together,
six people can be seated. (see the diagram)

If 20 square tables are placed together to form one long table, how many people can be
seated?

Name and Signature of Student: _______________________________ Section: ______________