MAA SL

Test on Sequences and the Binomial Theorem

by Christos Nikolaidis
Date: 27 November 2019

Marks: /40
Paper 1: without GDC

Name of student: __________________________________________________

1. [Maximum mark: 5]
Consider the arithmetic sequence
-6, -3, 0, 3, 6, !
Find
(a) the twentieth term. [2]
(b) the sum of the first twenty terms. [2]
(c) the product of the first twenty terms. [1]

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1
2. [Maximum mark: 6]
Consider the geometric sequence
a , 8, 16, b , !
(a) Write down the value of a and the value of b . [2]

(b) Find the sum of the first ten terms in the form 2 m − 4 , where m is an integer to
be determined. [3]
(c) Explain why the sum to infinity does not exist. [1]

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2
3. [Maximum mark: 6]
Expand
(a) (2 x − 3 y ) 3 [3]

(b) (1 − 3 ) 4 in the form a + b 3 , where a, b ∈ Z . [3]

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Turn over

3
4. [Maximum mark: 6]
The fifth term of an arithmetic sequence is 31 while the ninth term is 59.
Find the sum of the first two terms.

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4
5. [Maximum mark: 5]
(a) Find the sum of the infinite geometric series 0.2, 0.2 2 , 0.2 3 , ...

1
in the form where a is an integer. [2]
a
(b) Find the sum of the infinite geometric series 3 , − 3 × 0.2, 3 × 0.2 2 , ...

a
in the form where a , b are integers. [3]
b

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Turn over
5
6. [Maximum mark: 5]
Find
18
(a) ∑ (10k + 5)
k =1
[3]

18
(b) ∑ (10k + 5)
k =3
[2]

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6
7. [Maximum mark: 7]
The terms x, y, x+ y are consecutive in an arithmetic sequence.
The terms 4, x , y are consecutive in a geometric sequence.
(a) Find the value of x and the value of y [5]
(b) Confirm that the results are true. [2]

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7
8
 MAA SL
Test on Sequences and the Binomial Theorem

by Christos Nikolaidis
Date: 27 November 2019

Marks: /40
Paper 2: with GDC

Name of student: __________________________________________________

1. [Maximum mark: 5]
Find the sum
17+26+35+44+ ‧‧‧ +152

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Turn over
1
2. [Maximum mark: 9]
The tenth term of an arithmetic sequence is 98 while the sum of the first ten terms is
575. Find
(a) The first term u1 [2]
(b) The common difference d . [2]
(c) The sum of the first 18 terms. [2]
(d) Find the first term which exceeds 500. [3]

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(please continue on the following page)

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Turn over
3
3. [Maximum mark: 8]
Consider the geometric sequence

6, 2 3, 2, !
(a) Confirm that the first 3 terms are in geometric sequence and state the ratio. [2]

(b) Find the sum of the infinite series in the form a + b 3 [2]
(c) Find the 10th term correct in 3 significant figures. [2]
(d) Find the sum of the first 10 terms correct in 4 significant figures. [2]

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4
4. [Maximum mark: 5]

(a) Find the coefficient of the x 6 in the expansion of 3 x 2 − 5 ( )7

[3]

(b) Find the coefficient of the x 8 in the expansion of x 2 3 x 2 − 5 ( )

7
[2]

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Turn over
5
5. [Maximum mark: 5]
6
 k
The constant term in the expansion of  3 x 2 +  is 84375.
 x
Find the possible values of k .

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6
6. [Maximum mark: 8]
Tzannis invests 800€ at 8% per year (compounded yearly).
Alexia invests 780€ at 8% per year compounded monthly.
Panos invests 500€ at 10% per year (compounded yearly).

(a) Find whether Tzannis or Alexia receives more money after 10 years. [4]
(b) Tzannis estimates that he will receive more than 3000€ after n complete
years. Find the value of n . [2]
(c) Panos receives more money that Tzannis after m complete years. Find the
value of m . [2]

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