QUARTER 1 Week 8:

PRECALCULUS
SEQUENCES and SERIES

NAME: ____________________________________ GR & SEC: _____________________

Competency:
The learner differentiates a sequence from a series (STEM_PC11SMI-Ih2)

To the Learners:
Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb you while
enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy the objectives of this
kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Writing enhances learning. Keep this in mind and take note of the important concepts in your
notebook.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
5. Analyze the post-test and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

Expectations

This module is designed to help you master the following skills:

 Differentiate series from a sequence;
 Determine the first few terms of a sequence and give its associated series;
 Find a specified term of a given arithmetic and geometric sequence;
 Find the arithmetic and geometric means of two or more numbers; and
 Insert arithmetic and geometric means between two numbers.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Write the first five terms of a defined sequence and give its associated series;
2. Find the nth term of a sequence of an arithmetic and a geometric sequence;
3. Insert arithmetic means and geometric means between two numbers

Pre-test

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. The sequence 4, −2 − 8, −14, … is arithmetic. Describe the pattern in the sequence and find the
next three terms.
A. Add 6 to each term; −20, −26, −32 C. Subtract 6 to each term; −20, −26, −32
B. Add −6 to each term; −20, −26, −32 D. Subtract −6 to each term; −20, −26, −32

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 1 | 10
2. Which of the following is a geometric sequence with a common ratio of 2?
A. 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 B. 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 C. 2 , 4, 8, 16 D. 2, 4, 6, 8
3. Which of the following is the associated series of the sequence 1, −3, 5, −7, 9 ?
A. 1 − 3 + 5 − 7 + 9 = 5 C. (1)(3)(5)(7)(9) = 945
B. 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25 D. (1)(−3)(5)(−7)(9) = −945
4. Find the two arithmetic means between −6 and 24.
A. 4 and 12 B. −4 and 12 C. 4 and −14 D. 4 and 14
5. What is the geometric mean of 1, 2, and 32?
A. 4 B. 8 C. 12 D. 16
6. A geometric sequence is given by −1, 3, −9, 27, …. What is its eighth term?
A. −2 187 B. −729 C. 729 D. 2 187
7. Find the value of 𝑥 so that 𝑥, 2𝑥 − 3, 3𝑥 − 6 are consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence
with a common difference of −7.
A. −5 B. −4 C. −3 D. −2
1
8. If the first term and the common ratio of a geometric sequence are 4 and 2, respectively, what is
its fifth term, 𝑎5 ?
1 1 1 1
A. 4
B. 8
C. 16
D. 32
9. Which term of the geometric sequence 2, 6, 18, … is 118 098 ?
A. 9𝑡ℎ B. 10𝑡ℎ C. 11𝑡ℎ D. 12𝑡ℎ
55 7
10. The tenth term of an arithmetic sequence is . If its second term is , what is its first term?
2 2
1 1 3 5
A. − B. C. D.
2 2 2 2

Looking Back at your Lesson

From your previous lessons in Mathematics 10 and your Week 7 module, you have learned
that there are certain kinds of number patterns, known as sequences. You have also studied the
various kinds of series.
 An arithmetic sequence is defined as a sequence where each term after the first term is
obtained by adding the same constant, called as the common difference. The sequence
4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, … illustrates an arithmetic sequence with a common difference of three.
 A geometric sequence is defined as a sequence where each term after the first term is obtained
by multiplying the preceding term by the same constant, called as the common ratio. The
1 1 1 1 1 1
sequence 1, 2 , 4 , 8 , 16 , 32 , ⋯ illustrates a geometric sequence with a common ratio of 2.
 A series is called an arithmetic series if it involves the terms of an arithmetic sequence.
 A series is called a geometric series if it involves the terms of a geometric sequence.
In addition, you have also learned how to find the sum of the terms of these sequences. Table
1 summarizes the formulas for determining the respective sum of the terms of arithmetic and
geometric sequences.

𝑛(𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 )
𝑆𝑛 =
Sum of an Arithmetic Sequence 2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
𝑎1 (1 − 𝑟 𝑛 )
if 𝑟 ≠ 1
Sum of a Geometric Sequence 𝑆𝑛 = { (1 − 𝑟)
𝑛𝑎1 if 𝑟 = 1
Sum of a Geometric Sequence with Infinite 𝑎1
𝑆=
Terms 1−𝑟
Table 1. Sum of the Terms of Arithmetic and Geometric Sequence
JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 2 | 10
 Introduction of the Topic

Lesson: Sequences and Series

Differentiating a Sequence from a Series
A sequence, in mathematics, is usually shown as a list of numbers separated by commas
while a series is a sum of numbers separated by a plus " + " or a minus " − " sign.
As an illustration,
 The list of numbers 10, −12, 14, −16 is an example of a sequence.
 The sum of the numbers in the sequence, 10 − 12 + 14 − 16 = −4 is the series associated with
this sequence (or its associated series).
 The sequence with 𝑛𝑡ℎ term and is denoted by 𝑎𝑛 and is written as 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , 𝑎4 , . . . , 𝑎𝑛 . The
associated series of this sequence is given by 𝑆 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑛 .

Definition.
 A sequence is a function whose domain is the set of natural numbers or the set 1, 2, 3, . . . , 𝑛.
 A series represents the sum of the terms of a sequence
Note:
1. For a finite sequence, the sum of the terms will be referred to as its associated series.
2. For an infinite sequence, the sum of the terms will be defined more precisely in Calculus
and will not be discussed in this module.

Examples: For each defined sequence, the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term is given.

(a) Find the first five (5) terms of each sequence
(b) Write the associated series for each sequence
3
1. { 5 − 𝑛2 } 2. { 𝑛+1 } 3. { 2𝑛−1 }

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. The 𝑛𝑡ℎ term is denoted by 𝑎𝑛 and the associated series is given by
𝑆 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 + 𝑎5 .
1 . 𝒂𝒏 = 𝟓 − 𝒏 𝟐
(a) The first five (5) terms of the sequence are

𝑎1 = 5 − (1)2 𝑎2 = 5 − (2)2 𝑎3 = 5 − (3)2 𝑎4 = 5 − (4)2 𝑎5 = 5 − (5)2

=5−1 =5−4 =5−9 = 5 − 16 = 5 − 25
𝒂𝟏 = 𝟒 𝒂𝟐 = 𝟏 𝒂𝟑 = −𝟒 𝒂𝟒 = −𝟏𝟏 𝒂𝟓 = −𝟐𝟎

(b) Associated Series: 𝑆 = 4 + 1 − 4 − 11 − 20 = −30.

𝟑
2. 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒏+𝟏
(a) The first five (5) terms of the sequence are

3 3 3 3 3
𝑎1 = 𝑎2 = 𝑎3 = 𝑎4 = 𝑎5 =
1+1 2+1 3+1 4+1 5+1
3 3
𝟑 = 𝟑 𝟑 =
𝒂𝟏 = 3 𝒂𝟑 = 𝒂𝟒 = 6
𝟐 𝟒 𝟓 𝟏
𝒂𝟐 = 𝟏
𝒂𝟑 =
𝟐
3 3 3 1 87
(b) Associated Series: 𝑆 = 2
+1+ 4
+ 5
+ 2
= 20 .
3. 𝒂𝒏 = 𝟐𝒏−𝟏
(a) The first five (5) terms of the sequence are
𝑎1 = 2 1−1 𝑎2 = 2 2−1 𝑎3 = 2 3−1 𝑎4 = 2 4−1 𝑎5 = 2 5−1
= 20 = 21 = 22 = 23 = 24
𝒂𝟏 = 𝟏 𝒂𝟐 = 𝟐 𝒂𝟑 = 𝟒 𝒂𝟒 = 𝟖 𝒂𝟓 = 𝟏𝟔

(b) Associated Series: 𝑆 = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 = 31.

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 3 | 10
The 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term of a Sequence
A. Arithmetic Sequence
Theorem.
In an arithmetic sequence with first term 𝒂𝟏 and common difference 𝒅, the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term is given by
𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅

Example 1. Find the 50𝑡ℎ term of the sequence −5, −1, 3, 7, 11 , . . .

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to find 𝒂𝟓𝟎 given that 𝑎1 = −5. Since the sequence is arithmetic, the
common difference 𝑑 can be obtained using 𝑑 = −1 − (−5) = 4. (Note that 𝑑 can also be obtained
using 𝑑 = 3 − (−1) = 4 , or 𝑑 = 7 − 3 = 4, or 𝑑 = 11 − 7 = 4). Using the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅,
where 𝑎1 = −5, 𝑛 = 50, and 𝑑 = 4, you have

𝑎50 = −5 + (50 − 1)(4)

= −5 + (49)(4)
= −5 + 196
𝒂𝟓𝟎 = 𝟏𝟗𝟏

Therefore, the 50𝑡ℎ term of the sequence is 191.

Example 2. In the arithmetic sequence 11, 4, −3, … , which term is −213 ?

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to find which term is 𝑎𝑛 = −213 given that 𝑎1 = 11. Since the
sequence is arithmetic, the common difference 𝑑 can be obtained using 𝑑 = 4 − 11 = −7. Using the
formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅, where 𝑎𝑛 = −213 , 𝑎1 = 11 and 𝑑 = −7, you will get

−213 = 11 + (𝑛 − 1)(−7)
−213 = 11 − 7𝑛 + 7
−213 = 18 − 7𝑛
−231 = −7𝑛
𝒏 = 𝟑𝟑

Therefore, −213 is the 33𝑟𝑑 term of the arithmetic sequence.

Example 3. Find the first term and the common difference of the arithmetic sequence with
𝑎6 = 8 and 𝑎20 = 50.

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to find 𝒂𝟏 and 𝒅 given that 𝑎6 = 8 and 𝑎20 = 50. Substituting 𝑎6 = 8
and 𝑎20 = 50 in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅, you have

𝑎6 = 𝑎1 + (6 − 1)𝑑 𝑎20 = 𝑎1 + (20 − 1)𝑑

8 = 𝑎1 + 5𝑑 → 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1 50 = 𝑎1 + 19𝑑 → 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2

Eliminating 𝑎1 in this system of equations by subtracting Equation 1 from Equation 2, you get
50 = 𝑎1 + 19𝑑
8 = 𝑎1 + 5𝑑
42 = 14𝑑 ⇒ 𝒅 = 𝟑
Hence, the common difference 𝑑 = 3. To find 𝑎1 , substitute 𝑑 = 3 in Equation 1, which yields

8 = 𝑎1 + 5𝑑
8 = 𝑎1 + 5(3)
8 = 𝑎1 + 15
8 − 15 = 𝑎1
𝒂𝟏 = −𝟕

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 4 | 10
Therefore, the first term and the common difference of the sequence are −7 and 3, respectively.
B. Geometric Sequence
Theorem.
In a geometric sequence with first term 𝒂𝟏 and common ratio 𝒓 ≠ 𝟎, the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term is given by
𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝒏−𝟏

Example 1. Find the 10𝑡ℎ term of the geometric sequence 0.7 , −0.07, 0.007, . . .
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to find 𝑎10 given that 𝑎1 = 0.7. Using any two consecutive terms to
find the common ratio, 𝑟 = −0.0.7 ÷ 0.7 = −0.1.
Substituting 𝑎1 = 0.7 and 𝑟 = −0.1 in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 , you will get

𝑎10 = 0.7(−0.1)10−1
= 0.7(−0.1)9
𝒂𝟏𝟎 = −𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎

Therefore, the 10𝑡ℎ term of the sequence is −7 × 10−10

Example 2. A given geometric sequence has a common ratio of 3 ∶ 4. If the fourth term of this
sequence is 675, what is the first term?
3
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here you are asked to find 𝒂𝟏 given that 𝑟 = 4 and 𝑎4 = 675.
3
Substituting 𝑎4 = 675 and 𝑟 = in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 , you have
4
3 4−1
675 = 𝑎1 ( 4 )
3 3
675 = 𝑎1 ( 4 )
27
675 = 𝑎1 ( 64 )
64 27 64
( )(675) = 𝑎1 ( 64 ) ( 27 )
27
𝒂𝟏 = 𝟏 𝟔𝟎𝟎
Therefore, the first term of the sequence is 1 600.
1
Example 3. Given a geometric sequence with 𝑎5 = 4 and 𝑎9 = 4, find 𝑎17 .
1
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to find 𝒂𝟏𝟕 given that 𝑎5 = 4 and 𝑎9 = 4. Using the formula
𝑎9 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 8 4
𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 , you have 𝑎17 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟17−1 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟16 . Note that = = 𝑟4 = = 16. Since
𝑎5 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟4 1 ⁄4
1
𝑎17 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟16 can be expressed as 𝑎17 = 𝑎5 ∙ 𝑟12 = 𝑎5 ∙ (𝑟 4 )3 , thus, substituting 𝑎5 = 4
and 𝑟 4 = 16 , you
will get
𝑎17 = 𝑎5 ∙ (𝑟 4 )3
1
𝑎17 = 4 ∙ (16)3
1
= 4 (4 096)
𝒂𝟏𝟕 = 𝟏 𝟎𝟐𝟒

Therefore, the 17𝑡ℎ term of the sequence is 1 024.

Arithmetic and Geometric Means

A. Arithmetic Mean

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 5 | 10
 Definition.
𝑎+𝑏
 The arithmetic mean or average of two numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 is 2
.
 The arithmetic mean or average of the set of numbers 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + … + 𝑎𝑛
𝑛
 If 𝑎, 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 , 𝑏 form an arithmetic sequence, then 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 are the 𝑘
arithmetic means between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Example 1. Anna’s test scores in her last five quizzes are 90, 78, 85, 81, and 84. What is her average
score?
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Anna’s average score can be solved by adding her test scores and dividing the sum by
5. Hence,
90 + 78 + 85 + 81 + 84 418
Average score = 5
= = 𝟖𝟑. 𝟔
5

Example 2. Insert three arithmetic means between −40 and 8.

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to insert three arithmetic means between −40 and 8. This suggests
that you will have a sequence of the form −40, 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , 𝑡4 , 8, where 𝑎1 = −40 and 𝑎5 = 8, with 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , and
𝑡4 as the three arithmetic means. Note that the resulting sequence will have five terms, hence,
𝑛 = 5. Substituting 𝑎1 = 40, 𝑎5 = 8 and 𝑛 = 5 in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅, you will have
8 = −40 + (5 − 1)𝑑 ⇒ 8 = −40 + 4𝑑 ⇒ 48 = 4𝑑 ⇒ 𝒅 = 𝟏𝟐. Hence, you can now find the three
arithmetic means as follows:
𝑡2 = 𝑎2 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑡3 = 𝑎3 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑡4 = 𝑎4 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑡2 = −40 + (2 − 1)(12) 𝑡3 = −40 + (3 − 1)(12) 𝑡4 = −40 + (4 − 1)(12)
= −40 + 12 = −40 + 2(12) = −40 + 3(12)
𝒕𝟐 = −𝟐𝟖 𝒕𝟑 = −𝟏𝟔 𝒕𝟒 = −𝟒

Therefore, the three arithmetic means between −40 and 8 are −28, −16, and −4.
1
Example 3. Insert five arithmetic means between − and −3.
5
1
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here you are asked to insert five arithmetic means between − 5 and −3. This suggests
1 1
that you will have a sequence of the form − 5, 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , 𝑡4 , 𝑡5 , 𝑡6 , −3. where 𝑎1 = − 5 and 𝑎7 = −3, with
𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , 𝑡4 , 𝑡5 , and 𝑡6 as the five arithmetic means. Note that 𝑛 = 7 since there are seven terms in
the resulting sequence.
1
Substituting 𝑎1 = − 5 , 𝑎7 = −3 and 𝑛 = 7 in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅, you have

1 Hence,
−3 = − + (7 − 1)𝑑 𝑡3 = 𝑎3 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
5 𝑡2 = 𝑎2 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
1 1 7
−3 = − + 6𝑑 1 7 𝑡3 = − + (3 − 1) (− )
5 𝑡2 = − + (2 − 1) (− ) 5 15
5 15 1 7
1 1 7 = − + 2 (− )
−3 + = 6𝑑 =− − 5 15
5 5 15
14 1 14
− = 6𝑑 3 7 =− −
5 =− − 5 15
15 15 3 14
−14 = 30𝑑 10 𝟐 =− −
14 𝟕 𝒕𝟐 = − =− 15 15
𝒅=− =− 15 𝟑 𝟏𝟕
30 𝟏𝟓 𝒕𝟑 = −
𝟏𝟓

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 6 | 10
 𝑡4 = 𝑎4 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑡5 = 𝑎5 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑡6 = 𝑎6 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
1 7 1 7 1 7
𝑡4 = − + (4 − 1) (− ) 𝑡5 = − + (5 − 1) (− ) 𝑡6 = − + (6 − 1) (− )
5 15 5 15 5 15
1 21 1 28 1 35
=− − =− − =− −
5 15 5 15 5 15
3 21 3 28 3 35
=− − =− − =− −
15 15 15 15 15 15
24 𝟖 𝟑𝟏 𝟑𝟖
𝒕𝟒 = − =− 𝒕𝟓 = − 𝒕𝟔 = −
15 𝟓 𝟏𝟓 𝟏𝟓

𝟐 𝟏𝟕 8 31 𝟑𝟖
Therefore, the five arithmetic means are − ,− ,− 5 , − 15, and − 𝟏𝟓.
𝟑 𝟏𝟓
B. Geometric Mean

Definition.
 If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive numbers, the geometric mean, G.M., of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is the square
root of their product. Thus, 𝑮. 𝑴. = √𝒂𝒃.
 If 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 are positive numbers, the geometric mean, G.M., of this set of
numbers is given by 𝑮. 𝑴. = 𝒏√𝒂𝟏 , 𝒂𝟐 , … , 𝒂𝒏 .
 If 𝑎, 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 , 𝑏 form a geometric sequence, then 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 are the 𝑘
geometric means between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Example 1. Find the geometric mean of 3, 6, 9, and 10.

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. The geometric mean of the four numbers can be found using the formula

𝐺. 𝑀. = 𝑛√𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 with 𝑛 = 4 and 𝑎1 = 3, 𝑎2 = 6, 𝑎3 = 9, and 𝑎4 = 10. Substituting the values, you

have

𝑮. 𝑴. = 𝒏√𝒂𝟏 , 𝒂𝟐 , … , 𝒂𝒏
= 4√(3)(6)(9)(10)
= 4√(3)(6)(9)(10)
4
= √1620
= 4√((81)(20)
𝑮. 𝑴. = 𝟑 𝟒√(𝟐𝟎)

Therefore, the geometric mean is 3 4√(20).

Example 2. Insert two geometric means between 64 and 1 000.

𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Here, you are asked to insert two arithmetic means between 64 and 1 000. This suggests
that you will have a sequence of the form 64, 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , 1 000, where 𝑎1 = 64 and 𝑎4 = 1 000, with 𝑡2 ,
and 𝑡3 as the two geometric means. Note that 𝑛 = 4 since there are four terms in the resulting
sequence. Substituting 𝑎4 = 1 000, 𝑎1 = 64, and 𝑛 = 4 in the formula 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 yields
𝒂𝟒 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝟒−𝟏 Hence, and
𝟐−𝟏
𝟏 𝟎𝟎𝟎 = 𝟔𝟒 ∙ 𝒓𝟑 𝒕𝟐 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓 𝒕𝟑 = 𝒂𝟏 ∙ 𝒓𝟑−𝟏
1 000
= 𝑟3
5 5 2
64 = 64 ( ) = 64 ( )
2 2
𝑟 = 3√1000 𝒕𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎
64 25
10 𝟓 = 64 ( )
𝒓= = 4
4 𝟐 𝒕𝟑 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎

Therefore, the two geometric means are 160 and 400.

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 7 | 10
Example 3. Find 𝑥 so that 𝑥, (𝑥 + 2) and (𝑥 + 3) are consecutive terms of a geometric sequence.
Determine the geometric mean of the second and fourth terms of the resulting sequence.
𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. A sequence is geometric if you can verify that there exists a common ratio among any two
𝑥+2 𝑥+3
consecutive terms. This means that 𝑟 = 𝑥
= 𝑥 + 2. By cross-multiplication, you will get
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) = 𝑥(𝑥 + 3). Simplifying, you will have 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥. Solving for 𝑥, you will get
𝒙 = −𝟒. Hence, if 𝑥 = −4, the geometric sequence formed is −4, (−4 + 2), (−4 + 3) = −4, −2, −1, with
−2 1 1
𝑎1 = −4, 𝑎2 = −2, and 𝑎3 = −1. The common ratio, 𝑟 = −4
= 2. The fourth term, 𝑎4 = 𝑎3 ∙ 𝑟 = −1 ( 2 ) =
1
− 2 . Finally, to find the geometric mean of 𝑎2 and 𝑎4 , you will obtain
1
𝐺. 𝑀. = √𝑎2 ∙ 𝑎4 ⇒ 𝐺. 𝑀. = √−2 (−2) = √1 = 1.
Therefore, the value of 𝑥 is −4 and the geometric mean of the 2𝑛𝑑 and 4𝑡ℎ terms is 1.

Activities

Activity 1.1 Truth or Con“Sequence”?

For each of the following sequence, (a) write the first five 5 terms and (b) give the associated
series.
5
1. {4𝑛 + 3} 4. 𝑎𝑛 = − 2(𝑛 − 1)
2
2. {3 − 𝑛2 } 5. 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 (−1)𝑛
1
3. { 1 + 𝑛 }

Activity 1.2 It’s so 𝒏𝒕𝒉 chanting!

Do as indicated for the following problems.
1. Find the 50𝑡ℎ term of the arithmetic sequence −11, −3, 5, 13, …
2. Determine which term of the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, … is 250.
3. Find the common difference of an arithmetic sequence with 𝑎6 = −7, and 𝑎25 = 50.
1
4. If the fifth term of a geometric sequence is 10 000 and its common ratio is , find its first term.
2
1
5. In a certain geometric sequence, the fourth term is 𝑎4 = and the ninth term is 𝑎9 = 2, find
16
the nineteenth term, 𝑎19 .

Activity 1.3 Mean What You Say!

Answer as directed for the following problems.
1. Insert four arithmetic means between −5 and 95.
2. Find the geometric mean of 2, 4, 6, and 15.
3. Insert two geometric means between √3 and 3.
4. Find 𝑥 so that 2𝑥 − 3, 5𝑥 − 7, and 3𝑥 + 9 are consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence.
5. Find 𝑥 so that (𝑥 − 3), (𝑥 + 2), and (𝑥 + 3) are consecutive terms of a geometric sequence.

Remember

 A sequence is usually shown as a list of numbers separated by commas while a series is a sum
of numbers separated by a plus " + " or a minus " − " sign.
 The following formulas used to find the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of an arithmetic and geometric sequence are
shown below:
JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 8 | 10
 1. 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of an arithmetic sequence: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
2. 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of a geometric sequence: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎+𝑏
 The arithmetic mean or average of two numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 𝑖𝑠 .
2
 The arithmetic mean or average of the set of numbers 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎𝑛 is
𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + … + 𝑎 𝑛
𝑛
 If 𝑎, 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 , 𝑏 form an arithmetic sequence, then 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 are the 𝑘 arithmetic
means between 𝑎 and 𝑏.
 If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are two positive numbers, the geometric mean of 𝑎 and 𝑏 is √𝑎𝑏.
 If 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 are positive numbers, the geometric mean, G.M., of this set of numbers is
𝑛
√𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , … , 𝑎𝑛 .
 If 𝑎, 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 , 𝑏 form a geometric sequence, then 𝑡1 , 𝑡2 , 𝑡3 , … , 𝑡𝑘 are the 𝑘 geometric
means between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

Check your Understanding

Answer the following problems.

1. Write the first five terms of the arithmetic sequence with 𝑎1 = 5, and 𝑑 = 3. Give its associated
series.
2. On five separate examinations, a student received the following test scores: 78, 89, 82, 75, and 84.
Find the arithmetic mean of these scores.
3. Find the 13𝑡ℎ term of an arithmetic sequence whose first term is 5 and second term is 9.
5
4. Find the 10𝑡ℎ term of the geometric sequence for which the first term is and 2𝑛𝑑 term is −5.
2
5. The first three elements (terms) of an arithmetic sequence are 20, 16, and 12. Which element is
−96?
6. Find the geometric mean of 4 and 100.
7. Find the common ratio of the geometric sequence whose 3𝑟𝑑 term is −2 and whose 6𝑡ℎ term is 54.
8. Insert five geometric means between 1 and 64.
9. Insert four arithmetic means between 5 and 6.
10. Find the third term of a geometric sequence whose fifth term is 81 and whose ninth term is 16.

Post-test

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. The sequence 4, −2 − 8, −14, … is arithmetic. Describe the pattern in the sequence and find the
next three terms.
A. Add 6 to each term; −20, −26, −32 C. Subtract 6 to each term; −20, −26, −32
B. Add −6 to each term; −20, −26, −32 D. Subtract −6 to each term; −20, −26, −32
2. Which of the following is a geometric sequence with a common ratio of 2?
A. 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 B. 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 C. 2 , 4, 8, 16 D. 2, 4, 6, 8
3. Which of the following is the associated series of the sequence 1, −3, 5, −7, 9 ?
A. 1 − 3 + 5 − 7 + 9 = 5 C. (1)(3)(5)(7)(9) = 945
B. 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25 D. (1)(−3)(5)(−7)(9) = 945
4. Find the two arithmetic means between −6 and 24.
A. 4 and 12 B. −4 and 12 C. 4 and −14 D. 4 and 14
5. What is the geometric mean of 1, 2, and 32?

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 9 | 10
 A. 4 B. 8 C. 12 D. 16
6. A geometric sequence is given by −1, 3, −9, 27, …. What is its eighth term?
A. −2 187 B. −729 C. 729 D. 2 187
7. Find the value of 𝑥 so that 𝑥, 2𝑥 − 3, 3𝑥 − 6, are consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence
with a common difference of −7.
A. −5 B. −4 C. −3 D. −2
1
8. If the first term and the common ratio of a geometric sequence are 4 and , respectively, what is
2
its fifth term, 𝑎5 ?
1 1 1 1
A. 4
B. 8
C. 16
D. 32
9. Which term of the geometric sequence 2, 6, 18, … is 118 098 ?
A. 9𝑡ℎ B. 10𝑡ℎ C. 11𝑡ℎ D. 12𝑡ℎ
55 7
10. The tenth term of an arithmetic sequence is 2
. If its second term is 2
, what is its first term?
1 1 3 5
A. − B. C. D.
2 2 2 2

Additional Activities

To reinforce your understanding of the lesson, please solve the given problem. These additional
activities will challenge you to apply hour higher order thinking skills in solving more complex
problems on sequences and series. Show your neat and organized solutions on a clean sheet of paper.
1. A student has a grade of 78 on the first test and did 5 points better on each succeeding test
than on the previous one. What was his score on the fourth test? What was his average for the
four tests?
2. The second and fifth terms of a geometric sequence are 10 and 1 250, respectively. Is 31 250 a
term of this sequence? If so, which term is it?
References:
Cabral, Emmanuel A. et al. Precalculus. 2nd Edition. Quezon City, Metro Manila: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2010.
Department of Education. Precalculus: Teacher’s Guide. 1st Edition. Quezon City, Metro Manila:
Sunshine Interlinks Publishing
House, Inc., 2016.
Ho, Ju Se T. 21st Century Mathematics, Third Year. Quezon City, Metro Manila: Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc., 1999.
Leithold, Louis. College Algebra and Trigonometry. Santa Monica, California, U.S.A: Addison-Wesley
Publishing Company, Inc.,
1992.
Stewart, James et al. Stewart’s Algebra and Trigonometry, Philippine Edition. Pasig City, Metro
Manila: Cengage Learning Pte
Ltd., 2011.

JOEL L. CAPIRAL
PRECALCULUS - QUARTER 1 WEEK 8 P a g e 10 | 10