MENTAL ABILITY TEST

Sequences and Series Formulas

•Arithmetic sequence
- There is a common difference between two subsequent terms.
Arithmetic Sequence Recursive Formula
 aₙ = aₙ₋₁ + d
Is used to find a term (aₙ) of the sequence when its previous term (a ₙ₋₁) and ‘d’ are known.
Example: Find a₂₁ of an arithmetic sequence if a₁₉ = -72 and d = 7.
Solution:
By using the recursive formula,
A₂₀ = a₁₉ + d = -72 + 7 = -65
A₂₁ = a₂₀ + d = -65 + 7 = -58
Therefore, a₂₁ = -58.

Sum of Arithmetic sequence Formula

 Sₙ= n/2 [2a₁ + (n-1) d]

When the nth term is NOT known: Sₙ= n/2 [2a₁ + (n-1) d] (infinite)
When the nth term is known: Sₙ= n/2 [a₁ + aₙ]. (finite)

Example
Ms. Natalie earns $200,000 per annum and her salary increases by $25,000 per annum. Then how much
does she earn at the end of the first 5 years?

Solution
The amount earned by Ms. Natalie for the first year is, a = 2,00,000. The increment per annum is, d =
25,000. We have to calculate her earnings in the first 5 years. Hence n = 5. Substituting these values in
the sum of arithmetic sequence formula.

Sₙ = n/2 [2a+(n-1) d]
Sₙ = 5/2(2(200000) + (5 - 1)(25000))
= 5/2 (400000 +100000)
= 5/2 (500000)
= 1250000
She earns $1,250,000 in 5 years. We can use this formula to be more helpful for larger values of 'n'.

•Geometric sequence
-there is a common ratio between consecutive terms.
It is a sequence in which every term (except the first term) is multiplied by a constant number to get
its next term. i.e., To get the next term in the geometric sequence, we have to multiply with a fixed term
(known as the common ratio), and to find the preceding term in the sequence, we just have to divide
the term by the same common ratio.
 Here is an example of a geometric sequence is 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, …… with a common ratio of 2. The
common ratio of a geometric sequence can be either negative or positive but it cannot be 0.

Geometric Sequence Examples

¼, 1/8, …. Is a geometric sequence where a = ¼ and r = ½
-4, 2, -1, ½, -1/4, … is a geometric sequence where a = -4 and r = -1/2
Π, 2π, 4π, 8π,…. Is a geometric sequence where a = π and r = 2
√2, -√2, √2, -√2, … is a geometric sequence where a = √2 and r = -1

There are two types of geometric sequences based on the number of terms in them. They are

√ Finite geometric sequences

 Sₙ = a(r n – 1) / (r – 1) when r ≠ 1 and Sₙ = na when r = 1.

A finite geometric sequence is a geometric sequence that contains a finite number of terms. i.e., its last
term is defined. For example 2, 6, 18, 54, ….13122 is a finite geometric sequence where the last term is
13122.

√ Infinite geometric sequences

 S∞ = a / (1 – r), when |r| < 1 and S∞ Diverges when |r| ≥ 1.

An infinite geometric sequence is a geometric sequence that contains an infinite number of terms. i.e.,
its last term is not defined. For example, 2, −4, 8, −16, … is an infinite sequence where the last term is
not defined.
nᵗʰ Term of Geometric Sequence Formula

We have already seen that a geometric sequence is of the form a, ar, ar2, ar3, …., where ‘a’ is the first
term and ‘r’ is the common ratio. Here,

The 1st term, a₁ = a = a r1-1

The 2nd term, a₂ = a r = a r2-1
The 3rd term, a₃ = a r2 = a r3-1
.
.
.
So in general, the nth term of a geometric sequence is,
 aₙ = ar n-1

Recursive Formula of Geometric Sequence

 aₙ = r a ₙ ₋ ₁

Example: Find a₁₅ of a geometric sequence if a₁₃ = -8 and r = 1/3.

Solution:
By the recursive formula of geometric sequence,
A₁₄ = r a₁₃ = (1/3) (-8) = -8/3
Applying the same formula again,
A₁₅ = r a₁₄ = (1/3) (-8/3) = -8/9.
Therefore, a₁₅ = -8/9.
 •Harmonic sequence
- The reciprocals of its terms are in an arithmetic sequence
The sequence formulas would tell how to find the nth term (or general term) of a sequence whereas the
series formulas would tell us how to find the sum (series) of a sequence.
To find the nth term of a specific sequence, use the sequence formulas. To find the sum of terms of a
sequence, use the series formulas.

If the arithmetic progress or common difference will not the same therefore it is not a harmonic.

Note:

Decimal to Fraction

Decimals can be written in fraction form. To convert a decimal to a fraction, place the decimal number over its place
value. For example, in 0.6, the six is in the tenths place, so we place 6 over 10 to create the equivalent fraction, 6/10.

Decimal To percentage

To convert a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100 (just move the decimal point 2 places to the right). For example,
0.065 = 6.5% and 3.75 = 375%.

Percentage to Decimal

Divide a percent by 100 and remove the percent sign to convert from a percent to a decimal. Example: To convert 75%
to decimal format, divide 75 by 100. 75 ÷ 100 = .75

The figure below shows all sequences and series formulas.

Examples on Sequences and Series Formulas

Example 1:
Find the value of the 25th term of the arithmetic sequence 5, 9, 13, 17…..
Solution:
The given sequence is 5, 9, 13, 17…..
The first term, a = 5
The common difference, d = 9 – 5 = 4
Using the sequence and series formulas,
an = a + (n – 1) d
For the 25th term, substitute n = 25:
A25 = a + 24d = 5 + 24*4 = 5 + 96 = 101

Answer: Hence the 25th term of the series is 101.

Example 2:
Find the sum of the first 100 terms of the arithmetic series 1 + 4 + 7 + ….

Solution:
In the given series, the first term is a = 1 and the common difference is d = 3.
Using the sequences and series formulas,
Sn = n/2 (2a + (n – 1) d)
For the sum of 100 terms, substitute n = 100:
S100 = 100/2 (2(1) + (100 – 1) 3) = 14,950

Answer: The sum of the first 100 terms is 14,950.

Example 3:
Is it possible to find the sum of the infinite geometric series 5, -5/2, 5/4, -5/8, …?
If so, find the sum.

Solution:
In the given geometric series, the common ratio, r = -1/2. So |r| = |-1/2| = ½ < 1.
So it is possible to find its sum using one of the sequence and series formulas:

S = a / (1 – r)
= 5 / (1 – (-1/2))
= 5 / (3/2)
= 10/3
Answer: Sum of all terms of the given series = 10/3.