SEQUENCE

Key Concepts
Sequence is group of numbers following a pattern based on a
specific rule.

Sequence or Progression
In mathematics, patterns are generated by performing one or several
mathematical operations repeatedly. The numbers formed out of these patterns
are called sequence or progression. A sequence is an ordered list of numbers,
called terms that may have repeated values. The arrangement of these terms is
set by a definite rule. Sequences can either be finite or infinite. There are four
types of sequence: arithmetic sequence, geometric sequence, harmonic
sequence and the Fibonacci Sequence.

A. Arithmetic Sequence
An arithmetic sequence involves a sequence of numbers to which the
same amount has been added or subtracted.
Observe the following sequences, fill-in and explain the pattern:
A. 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, ___,…

B. 5, 9, 13, 17, ___, ___,…

C. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, ___, ___,…

(This is an example of gnomons which are numbers which
can be drawn as dots on equally long legs of a right angle.)

Hint: Are the terms increasing? Or decreasing?

What is the difference/ratio of two adjacent terms? Is it constant?

If the difference of two adjacent terms is constant, then it is an arithmetic

sequence.

Let t1 be the first term, n be the number of terms, d be the common

difference, and tn be the last term. In general, the terms of an arithmetic
sequence are t1, t1 + d, t1 + 2d, t1 + 3d,…, t1 + (n – 1)d

To find the nth term of an arithmetic progression, use the formula:

𝑡𝑛 = 𝑡1 + (𝑛 – 1)𝑑
The formula to find the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence is

𝑛(𝑡1 + 𝑡𝑛 )
𝑆𝑛 =
2

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 11

Illustrative Examples:
1. Find three arithmetic means between 2 and 14.
Solution:
𝑡1 = 2 𝑡5 = 14 𝑑=?
𝑡𝑛 = 𝑡1 + (𝑛 – 1)𝑑
14 = 2 + (5 – 1)𝑑
14 = 2 + 4𝑑
4𝑑 = 12
12
𝑑 =
4
𝑑 = 3
Hence,
t2 = 2 + (2 – 1)(3) = 2 +3 = 5
t3 = 2 + (3 – 1)(3) = 2 +6 = 8
t4 = 2 + (4 – 1)(3) = 2 + 9 = 11
The three arithmetic means between 2 and 14 are 5, 8, 11.
The arithmetic sequence is 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14.

2. Find the sum of first 20 terms of the sequence 2, 6, 10, 14, …

Solution:
𝑡1 = 2 d=6–2=4
𝑡𝑛 = 𝑡1 + (𝑛 – 1)𝑑
t20 = 2 + (20 – 1)4
t20 = 2 + (19)4;
t20 = 2 + 76
t20 = 78
Hence,
𝑛(𝑡1 + 𝑡𝑛 )
𝑆𝑛 =
2
20(2 + 78)
𝑆20 =
2
20(80)
𝑆20 =
2
1600
𝑆20 =
2
𝑆20 = 800

The sum of the first 20 terms of the sequence, 2, 6, 10, 14, … is 800.

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 12

B. Harmonic Sequence
Harmonic sequence is a sequence of numbers a1, a2, a3, … such that
their reciprocals 1/a1, 1/a2, 1/a3,… form an arithmetic sequence (numbers
separated by a common difference).

To solve problems involving harmonic sequence, get the reciprocal of

each term as you convert the sequence into arithmetic sequence.
Illustrative Examples:
1 1 1 1
1. Find the next three terms in the harmonic sequence , , , ,…
2 6 10 14
Solution:
Step 1: Change the sequence to arithmetic sequence by getting the
reciprocal of the terms resulting to the sequence 2, 6, 10, 14, ...
Step 2: Find the fifth, sixth and seventh term.
t1 = 2 d=6–2=4
𝑡𝑛 = 𝑡1 + (𝑛 – 1)𝑑

t5 = 2+ (5 – 1)4 t6 = 2+ (6 – 1)4 t7 = 2+ (7 – 1)4

t5 = 2+ (4)4 t6 = 2+ (5)4 t7 = 2+ (6)4
t5 = 2 + 16 t6 = 2 + 20 t7 = 2 + 24
t5 = 18 t6 = 22 t7 = 26

The fifth term is 18, the sixth term is 22 and the seventh term is 26.
The resulting arithmetic sequence is 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, …

Step 3: Convert the sequence into harmonic.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Hence, the harmonic sequence is , , , , , , ,…
2 6 10 14 18 22 26
1
The fifth term in the harmonic sequence is .
18
1
The sixth term in the harmonic sequence is .
22
1
The seventh term in the harmonic sequence is .
26

2. The third term in the harmonic sequence is 2/15 and the sixth term is 2/33.
Find the first term and the fourth term.
Solution:
The third term in the arithmetic sequence will be 15/2. And the
sixth term will be 33/2.

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 13

 Find d using the equation that represents the third and the sixth
term.
𝑡𝑛 = 𝑡1 + (𝑛 – 1)𝑑
The third term gives the equation:
15
= t1 + (3 – 1)d
2
15
= t1 + 2d
2

The sixth term gives the equation:

33
= t1 + (6 – 1)d
2
33
=t1 + 5d
2

To find d.
15 33
( 2 = 𝑡1 + 2𝑑) − ( 2 = 𝑡1 + 5𝑑)
18
− = −3𝑑
2
9 = 3𝑑
𝑑 = 3
To find 𝑡1 , To find t4,
15 3
= 𝑡1 + 2𝑑 𝑡4 = 2 + (4 − 1)(3)
2
15 3
= 𝑡1 + 2(3) 𝑡4 = 2 + (3)(3)
2
15 3
= 𝑡1 + 6 𝑡4 = 2 + 9
2
15 12 3 3 18 21
𝑡1 = − =2 𝑡4 = 2 + =
2 2 2 2

2
Hence, the first term in the harmonic sequence is and the
3
2
fourth term is .
21

C. Geometric Sequence
A geometric sequence or a geometric progression is a sequence in which
each term, after the first, is obtained by multiplying the missing term by a fixed
number or a constant. This constant is called the common ratio.

For example, in the sequence “2, 4, 8, 16, 32...” each number is multiplied
by 2. The number 2 is the common ratio for this geometric sequence.
A. 1, 3, 9, 27, ___, ___
B. 5, 10, 20, 40, ___, ___
C. 48, 24, 12, ___, ___
What is the common difference/ratio of two adjacent terms? Is it
constant?

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 14

 If the common ratio of two adjacent terms is constant, then it is a
geometric sequence.

If 𝑎1 denotes the first term and the common ratio is denoted by r, the geometric
sequence for n terms will be:
𝑎1 , 𝑎1 r, 𝑎1 r2, 𝑎1 r3, …, a1r n – 1
where the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .

The sum of a geometric sequence is defined by:

𝑎1 (1 − 𝑟 𝑛 )
𝑆𝑛 =
(1 − 𝑟)

Illustrative Examples:
1. Find the fifth term in the sequence 5, 10, 20, …
Given: 𝑎1 = 5 𝑟 = 20 ÷ 10 = 2
Solution:
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .
𝑎5 = 5(2)5−1 .
𝑎5 = 5(2)4 .
𝑎5 = 5(16).
𝑎5 = 80

1 1
2. The second term in the geometric sequence is while the fifth term is .
3 24
Find the first and the sixth term.
1 1
Given: 𝑎2 = 3 𝑎5 = 24
Solution:
To find r, use the equations derive in finding the second and fifth term.
Using the equation 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 , the second term will have the equation
1 1
= 𝑎1 𝑟 2−1 = 𝑎1 𝑟 (equation 1)
3 3
The fifth term will have the equation
1 5−1 1
= 𝑎1 𝑟 = 𝑎1 𝑟 4 (equation 2)
24 24
Dividing equation 2 by equation 1,
1
𝑎1 𝑟 4 24
= 1
𝑎1 𝑟
3
1 1 1
𝑟 3 = (24) (3) = 8
3 1 1
𝑟=√ =
8 2

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 15

 To find 𝑎1 , To find 𝑎6 ,
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 . 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .
1 1 2−1 2 1 6−1
= 𝑎1 ( ) 𝑎6 = ( ) ( )
3 2 3 2
1 1 2 1 5
= 𝑎1 (2) 𝑎6 = (3) (2)
3
1 2 2 1
𝑎1 = (3) (1) 𝑎6 = (3) (32)
2 1
𝑎1 = 3 𝑎6 = 48

D. Fibonacci Sequence
One special sequence is the Fibonacci sequence named after the Italian
mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, who was better known by his nickname
Fibonacci. Leonardo Fibonacci was born in Pisa, Italy, and because of that he
was also known as Leonardo Pisano, or Leonardo of Pisa. While his father worked
on the northern coast of Africa, Fibonacci had a Moorish schoolmaster who
introduced him to the Hindu-Arabic numeration system that we use today.

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

No. of pairs
of rabbits 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21

The Fibonacci sequence arises because the number of pairs of rabbits in

the cage in a given month is equal to the number there in the previous month plus
the number of pairs of babies born, and this is just equal to the number of mature
pair present, i.e. all those rabbits in the cage two months previously. For example,
in September there will be the 21 pairs present in August plus 13 pairs of babies
born to the 13 mature pairs (they were all those present in July).

Number of rabbits = number of rabbits +number of rabbits

At month (n+2) at month (n+1) at month n

Fibonacci numbers also occur in a variety of other biological situations. The

number of petals (or petal-like parts) of a flower such as the Aster, Cosmos or
Daisy in the composite family is consistently a Fibonacci number (21, 34, 55, or
89). The number of spirals in the seed patterns of sunflowers, scale patterns of
pinecones and pineapples are usually Fibonacci numbers. A male bee has a
mother but no father (it is here from ancestors of a male bee at any particular
generation is a Fibonacci number.

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 16

 Number of Number of Number of bees
Male bees female bees
1 0 1
0 1 1
1 1 2
1 2 3
2 3 5
3 5 8

Fibonacci Numbers
The Fibonacci numbers are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, …

n= 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 …
Fn = 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 …

As seen in the table, the 6th term (𝑡6 ) is 8.

To find the 9th term, 34 simply add the 7th term 13 and the 8th term 21.
F9 = F8 + F 7 F9 = F9 – 1 + F9 – 2
Hence, 𝐹𝑛 = 𝐹𝑛−1 + 𝐹𝑛−2

Illustrative Examples:
Let 𝐹𝑛 be the nth terms of the Fibonacci Sequence, with 𝐹1 = 1, 𝐹2 = 1 , 𝐹3 = 2,
and so on.
a. Find 𝐹7
b. Find 𝐹20
c. If 𝐹21 =10,946 and 𝐹23 = 28,657, what is 𝐹22 ?
d. Evaluate 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 + 𝐹4 + 𝐹5 = _______

Solutions:
a. 13 b. 6765 c. 17,711 d.12

The Golden Ratio

The first 12 terms in the Fibonacci sequence are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34,
55, 89, 144.

Have your students use a calculator to study the ratios of successive terms
larger to smaller. These results are from an 8-digit calculator.

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 17

 1 to 1 1.0000000
2 to 1 2.0000000
3 to 2 1.5000000
5 to 3 1.6666666
8 to 5 1.6000000
13 to 8 1.6250000
21 to 13 1.6153846
34 to 21 1.6190476
55 to 34 1.6176470
89 to 55 1.6181818
144 to 89 1.6179775

The sequence of ratios is converging by oscillating below and above this

limiting value called the golden ratio.
1 + √5
= 1.6180339 …
2
The Mona Lisa and the Last Supper exhibit the application of Golden Ratio.

https://www.google.com/search?q=monalisa+painting+with+application+of+golden+ratio&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=
1&fir=iHbQlRxu3leb2M%253A%252CpmofM5hvwO3g2M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-
kS9HrEdz8n0BeAbBnggVO7ogMnTlg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiMy6qXpYHkAhWJPXAKHQgpBscQ9QEwHXoECAUQ
FQ&biw=1024&bih=488#imgrc=qncMSXnFWomEcM:&vet=1

Lucas Numbers (named after Edouard Lucas (1841 – 1891)

Lucas numbers are close relatives of the Fibonacci numbers, having many
analogous properties and similar biological connections. They are constructed in
the same way as the Fibonacci numbers, but the starting numbers are different.
The first Lucas numbers are 2, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, 29, 47… the 29 th Lucas number
is 1149851 and the 30th is 1860498.

The Lucas numbers are defined very similarly to the Fibonacci numbers,
but start with 2 and 1 (in this order) rather than the Fibonacci's 0 and 1:
𝐿0 = 2 𝐿1 = 1 𝐿𝑛 = 𝐿𝑛−1 + 𝐿𝑛−2 for 𝑛 > 1

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 18

Name: Date:
Curriculum and Section: Score:

Try this!

Direction: Answer the following.

1. Let 𝐹𝑛 be the 𝑛𝑡ℎ terms of the Fibonacci Sequence
a. Find 𝐹10

b. Find 𝐹24

c. If 𝐹15 = 610 and 𝐹17 = 1597, what is 𝐹16 ?

d. Evaluate 𝐹3 + 𝐹4 + 𝐹5 + 𝐹6 + 𝐹7 + 𝐹8 = ____

2. Given that 𝐿0 = 2, 𝐿1 = 1, 𝐿3 = 3, …, find

a. Find 𝐿10

b. Find 𝐿24

c. Find 𝐿3 + 𝐿4 + 𝐿5 + 𝐿6 + 𝐿7 + 𝐿7

3. Identify whether the following sequence is arithmetic, harmonic or

geometric:
a. 50, 40, 30, 10…
1 1 1 1
b. , , , ,…
2 3 4 5

4 2 4 1
c. , , , ,…
5 3 7 9

d. 100, 50, 25, 12.5, …

4. Find the sixth term in the geometric progression, 6, 12, 24, 48, …
1 1 1 1
5. Find the 10th term in the harmonic progression , , , ….
3 5 7 9

6. Insert three arithmetic means between 1 and −7.

Worktext: Mathematics in the Modern World 19