10: SERIES AND SEQUENCES

Sequence and Series Consider a sequence whose first term is denoted by 𝑎

A sequence is a set of numbers in which consecutive and whose difference is denoted by 𝑑. The first five
terms are connected by a definite rule or pattern. The terms are shown in the table below.
numbers in this ordered list are called elements or
terms. Sequences vary depending on the pattern or T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
rule that exist between consecutive terms. We also 𝑎 a+d a + 2d a + 3d a + 4d
refer to a sequence as a progression. The sum of the
terms of a sequence is called a series. To determine a formula for the 𝑛$% term, we look at
each consecutive term to discern a pattern. We
Finite and Infinite Sequences observe that each term has 𝑎 and the coefficient of d
A finite sequence can be specified by a complete list is always one less than the value of n.
of its elements. It consists of a countable number of
terms. The set of even numbers from 2 to 10 forms The nth term of an AP
the finite sequence, {2, 4, 6, 8, 10}.
( )
Tn = a + n − 1 d
An infinite sequence can be specified by an
incomplete list of its elements. It has an ‘infinite’ Example 1
number of terms and in listing the terms, we use a set An arithmetic progression is defined by
of three dots after the last term in the list to indicate
{4, 2, 0, −2,…}. Determine
that it has no end. The set of even numbers forms an
infinite sequence, {2, 4, 6, 8, …} i. the common difference, d
ii. the 406th term
The arithmetic series or progression (AP)
A series, in which each term is obtained from the Solution
preceding one by the addition of a constant quantity, i. In the AP, {4, 2, 0, −2,…},
is called an arithmetic progression (AP). This The first term 𝑎 = 4
constant quantity is called the common difference. The common difference, d, can be found by
subtracting any two consecutive terms in the
The sequence order, 𝑇) − 𝑇)+,
3, 5, 7, 9,… has a common difference of 2. 𝑑 = 2 − 4 = 0 − 2 = −2
The sequence Hence, 𝑑 = −2
20, 18, 16, 14,... has a common difference of − 2 ii. Recall: Tn = a + ( n - 1) d , where n is the
The sequence
number of terms. Substituting for 𝑎, 𝑛 and
1 1 1 𝑑, we have
4, 3 , 3, 2 ,... has a common difference of −
2 2 2 ∴T406 = 4 + ( 406 − 1) × ( −2 )
Notice that the common difference can be a positive ( )
= 4 + 405 × −2
or negative or even a fractional number. Its value, = 4 − 810
though, is the same for a particular series and cannot
be altered for that series. = −806

Notation for an Arithmetic Progression Sum of the first n terms of an AP

1st term = a Last term = l
Number of terms = n The nth term = Tn
The common difference, d = Tn− Tn-1
The nth term of an AP
Sometimes we are required to calculate a particular
term in an AP. We can do so once we know the first
term and the common difference. If we require the
20th term, we need to list all the terms. The n th term,
denoted by Tn can be determined by using a formula.
For an arithmetic progression, we usually use the
symbol Sn to denote the sum of the first n terms. For
example, S3 denotes the sum of the first 3 terms,
T1 + T2 + T3 .
For an AP with n terms, we denote 𝑎 and 𝑑 as the
first term and the common difference. If the last term
is denoted by l, then, we can calculate 𝑆) by the
following series. Note, for convenience, only the first
four terms and the last four terms were included.
 𝑆) = 𝑎 + (𝑎 + 𝑑) + (𝑎 + 2𝑑) + (𝑎 + 3𝑑) + ⋯ Example 3
(𝑙 − 3𝑑) + (𝑙 − 2𝑑) + (𝑙 − 𝑑) + 𝑙 Find the sum of all the terms in the A.P
10, 15, 20, …, 1000
Reversing the order of the terms in the above
equation we have: Solution
𝑆) = 𝑙 + (𝑙 − 𝑑) + (𝑙 − 2𝑑) + (𝑙 − 3𝑑) + ⋯ The first term, a = 10 and d = 15 - 10 = 5
(𝑎 + 3𝑑) + (𝑎 + 2𝑑) + (𝑎 + 𝑑) + 𝑎 The last term, l = 1000
We do not know the number of terms, n.
Adding both equations, we notice that each pair of We can determine n by substituting for a, l and d
consecutive terms add to (𝑎 + 𝑙). For example: in the following formula:
Adding the first terms from each Sn, we have (𝑎 + 𝑙).
Adding the second terms from each Sn, we have
l = a + ( n - 1) d
(𝑎 + 𝑑) + (𝑙 − 𝑑) = 𝑎 + 𝑙.
1000 = 10 + ( n - 1) ´ 5
Therefore, the sum of both sequences will look like: 990 = 5 ( n - 1)
2𝑆) = (𝑎 + 𝑙) + (𝑎 + 𝑙) + (𝑎 + 𝑙) + ⋯ n - 1 = 198
(𝑎 + 𝑙) + (𝑎 + 𝑙) + (𝑎 + 𝑙) n = 199
Since there are 𝑛 terms in the sequence, The sum of all 199 terms, S199 , can be found using
2𝑆) = 𝑛(𝑎 + 𝑙)
n n
𝑛
𝑆) = (𝑎 + 𝑙) either Sn = ( a + l ) or {2a + ( n - 1) d }.
2 2 2
n
Using Sn = ( a + l )
We can replace l from this formula by treating l as 2
any term. If we want to find the sum of the first n 199
terms then, S199 = (10 + 1000 )
2
( )
Tn = a + n − 1 d = 100 495
So, we may take,
\ l = a + ( n - 1) d OR
n
\ Sn =
n
{ }
a + ( a + ( n - 1) d ) Using Sn =
2
{2a + ( n - 1) d }
2
199
n
Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d } S199 =
2
{2 (10 ) + (199 - 1) 5}
2
= 100 495
The sum of the first n terms of an AP
n Example 4
Sn = ( a + l ) An arithmetic progression with first term 8 has
2
101 terms. If the sum of the first three terms is
n
Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d } one-third of the sum of the last three terms, find
2 a. the common difference, d
b. the sum of the last 48 terms of the series.
Example 2
Find the sum of the first 40 terms of the AP
Solution
{ 4, 6, 8, 10, …} a. Let a = 8 , common difference = d, n =101
The sum of the first 3 terms is:
Solution
We can deduce that, a = 4, d = 6 – 4 = 2, n = 40
n T1 + T2 + T3 = a + ( a + d ) + ( a + 2d ) = 3a + 3d = 24 + 3d
The sum of the n terms is Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d }
2 T99 + T100 + T101 = ( a + 98d ) + ( a + 99d ) + ( a + 100d )
40 T99 + T100 + T101 = 3a + 297d = 24 + 297d
S40 = {2(4) + (40 -1)2} = 20{8 + 2(39)} = 1720
2
The sum of the first three terms ii The total distance covered after 30 days is the
1 sum of the first 30 terms of the arithmetic
= [sum of the last three terms] progression.
3
n
(T + T + T ) Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d }
(T1 + T2 + T3 ) = 99 100 101 2
3
30 ì 1ü
1
24 + 3d = ( 24 + 297d )
S30 = í 2 ( 2 ) + ( 30 - 1) ´ ý
2 î 2þ
3
16 = 99d − 3d ì 1ü
= 15 í4 + 14 ý
16 1 î 2þ
∴96d = 16 ⇒ d = , d=
96 6 = 277.5 km

b. Sum of the last 48 terms = S101 - S53 Example 6

n Find the sum of all the numbers from 1000 to 2000
Recall Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d } which are divisible by 5.
2
\ Sum of the last 48 terms =
Solution
101 ì 1 ü 53 ì 1ü
í2 ( 8 ) + (101 - 1) ý - í2 (8 ) + ( 53 - 1) ý The series is 1000, 1005, 1010, …, 1995, 2000.
2 î 6þ 2 î 6þ The terms are in AP with the first term, a = 1000
2 2 The common difference, d = 1005 - 1000 = 5
= 1649 - 653
3 3
= 996 Last term, l = a + ( n - 1) d , where n = number of
terms.
Example 5
\ 2000 = 1000 + ( n - 1) 5
A marathon runner begins his first day of training
by running 2 km. He then increases this distance 1000 = ( n - 1) 5
by ½ km more each day, from the distance he ran n = 201
the previous day. To find the sum of all the terms from 1000 to
i. On what day would he first cover 15 km? 2000, we can use any one of the methods below.
n
ii. What is the total distance covered after 30 S201 = ( a + l )
days? 2
201
= (1000 + 2000 )
Solution 2
i The distances covered on a daily basis form the = 301500
following AP: OR
1 1 1 n
2, 2 , 3, 3 , 4, 4 ,...
2 2 2 Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d }
where the first term a = 2 and the common 2
201
difference d = 1 . =
2
{2 (1000 ) + ( 201 - 1) 5}
2
We are looking for n such that Tn = 15 . = 301500

Since Tn = a + ( n - 1) d , then
1 The Geometric Progression (GP)
15 = 2 + ( n - 1) ´
2
A series in which each term is obtained from the
30 = 4 + ( n - 1)
preceding one by the multiplication of a constant
n = 27 quantity is called a geometric series or progression
(GP). This constant quantity is called the common
Hence, on the 27th day, he would run a distance of ratio.
exactly 15 km. For any GP, we can find the common ratio by
dividing any term by the term that came just before.
The common ratio
The geometric series {4, 12, 36, 108, …} has a
common ratio of 3, note 4 ´ 3 = 12 , 12 ´ 3 = 36 ,
36 ´ 3 = 108 and so on.
OR We may say 12 ÷ 4 = 3 or 36 ÷ 12 = 3 and so on.
The geometric series {16, 8, 4, 2, …} has a common
ratio of ½, note
16 ×½ = 8, 8 × ½ =4, 4 × ½ = 2, and so on.
OR 8 ÷ 16 = ½, 4 ÷ 8 = ½, 2 ÷ 4 = ½
The geometric series {4, −8, 16, −32, …} has a
common ratio of −2, note 4 × −2 = −8, −8 × −2 =16,
16 ×−2 = −32 and so on
OR −8 ÷ 4 = −2, and 16 ÷ −8 = −2
Notice that the common ratio may take any value.
That is, it may be positive or negative or fractional.
Notation for a Geometric Progression
First term = a
Number of terms = n
The nth term = Tn
T and which now carries a minus sign before it. Hence,
The common ratio, r is n
Tn -1
th
The n term of a Geometric Progression
The n th term of a GP, denoted by Tn can be
determined by using a formula. Consider a sequence
whose first term is denoted by 𝑎 and whose ratio is
denoted by 𝑟. The first five terms are shown in the
table below.
Sum of the first n terms of a GP
Let us use the symbol Sn to represent the sum of the
first n terms of a geometric progression. So, the sum
of the first three terms, S3 is T1 + T2 + T3 . We will
now derive the formula for the sum of the n terms of
a GP.
Let us remember that each term is r times the
previous term or the ratio of any term to the term
before it is always r:1
S n = a + ar + ar 2 + ar 3 + ...+ ar n − 1 (1)
Equation (1) ´r
rSn = ar + ar 2 + ar 3 + ar 4 + ... + ar n (2)
Equation (1) – Equation (2)
𝑆) − 𝑟𝑆) = 𝑎 + 𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎𝑟 9 + 𝑎𝑟 : + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑟 )+, −
(𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎𝑟 9 + 𝑎𝑟 : + ⋯ 𝑎𝑟 )+, + 𝑎𝑟 ) )
Notice all the terms will cancel out except the first
term of equation (1) and the last term of equation (2)
Sn - rSn = a - ar n
Sn (1 - r ) = a (1 - r n )
a (1 - r n )
Sn = r <1
1- r
When r > 1 , the subtraction is taken in the reverse
order and produces the alternate form of the formula.

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 a ( r n - 1)
Sn = r >1
a ar ar2 ar3 ar4 r -1

From the above table, we observe that the coefficient The formula for the sum of n terms in a GP can now
of r is a and the power of r is always one less than be stated.
the value of n.
The sum of the first n terms of a GP
The nth term of a G.P
Tn = ar n - 1 If the first term of a GP is denoted by a, the
number of terms by n, the sum of the first n terms
Example 7 by Sn and the common ratio by r, then
A geometric progression has terms {4, 8, 16,….} a ( r n - 1) a (1 - r n )
Determine the 20th term. Sn = Sn =
r -1 1- r
r >1 r <1
Solution
The first term, a = 4 , the common ratio
8 Example 8
r = = 2, r > 1 . Find the sum of the first 40 terms in the geometric
4
The 20th term is T20 = 4(2)20-1= 4(2)19=2097152 progression {4, 8, 16, …}.
Solution Starting with the formula for the sum of 𝑛 terms of
The first term, a = 4 , the common ratio, any converging GP, we have
8
r = = 2, r > 1
4
Sn =
(
a 1− r n ) = a − ar a
n

-=
ar n
The sum of the first n terms is: 1− r 1− r 1- r 1- r
As the value of n ® ¥ , then, r n gets smaller and
Sn =
(
a rn −1 ) smaller, that is, it tends to 0. Hence, as rn ® 0, the
r −1 ar n
(( ) − 1)
40 term ®0 .
4 2 1- r
S40 = a a
2 −1 Therefore, Sn approaches -0 = .
(( ) − 1)
40 1- r 1- r
=4 2
This means that when r < 1 , the more and more
terms of the GP that we add, the closer and closer we
Divergent and Convergent Series a
would get to the value of . We say that the
1- r
Consider the sum of the terms of an AP in which 𝑎 = a
3 and 𝑑 = 2. series converges with limit and this value is
1- r
𝑆) = 3 + 5 + +7 + 9 + called its sum to infinity.
Notice that the terms of the progression are The sum to infinity of a GP
increasing and as 𝑛 gets larger the sum will approach
a
infinity. It is impossible to sum all the terms of this S¥ =
sequence. This is because this sum approaches 1- r
infinity. All AP’s have sums that approach infinity with the first term, a and common ratio, r.
and such a series is a divergent series. This exists only when, r < 1.

Consider the sum of the terms of a GP in which Example 9

r > 1 . For example, let 𝑎 = 3 and 𝑟 = 2. Find the sum to infinity of the geometric series
𝑆) = 3 + 6 + 12 + 24 + 48 + ⋯ {8, 4, 2,…}

Notice that the terms of the progression are Solution

increasing and as 𝑛 gets larger the sum will approach In the geometric progression {8, 4, 2,…} the first
infinity. It is impossible to sum all the terms of this term, a = 8 . The common ratio,
sequence. This is because this sum approaches 4 1
infinity. This type of GP is divergent. r= = , r <1
8 2
a 8
Now, let us consider the sum of the terms of a GP S¥ = = = 16
,
when r < 1 . For example, let 𝑎 = 243 and 𝑟 = . 1 - r 1 - 12
:
1 1
𝑆) = 243 + 81 + 27 + 9 + 3 + 1 + + + ⋯ Example 10
3 9 In a geometric progression with the common ratio,
Notice that the terms of the progression are r, the sum to infinity is four times the first term.
decreasing and as 𝑛 gets larger the terms approach Find the value of r, r < 1 .
zero. Hence, the sum of the terms approaches a fixed
value as we keep adding more and more terms. This
Solution
is called the sum to infinity. This type of GP is
We are given that 𝑆A = 4 ´ first term
convergent. 𝑎
=𝑎
1−𝑟
Hence, the sum to infinity of a G.P, exists only when 4𝑎(1 − 𝑟) = 𝑎
r < 1 . We can derive a simple formula to calculate 4(1 − 𝑟) = 1
this sum for any GP. 1 − 𝑟 = 1/4
𝑟 = 3/4
In some questions, we are given a sequence and the Solution
type of sequence is not stated. In such cases, we have
to deduce from the data what type of sequence is We calculate the amount of soil removed for each
involved. day and look for a pattern.

Example 11 Day 1 2 3 4…
An item of jewellery appreciates by 10% of its Amount 6 6 6 6 6 6
of soil 10 10 ´ 10 ´ ´ 10 ´ ´ ´ ...
value each year. If its original value is $1 000, find removed 5 5 5 5 5 5
its estimated value at the start of the 11th year. in m3 6 2 3
10 ´ æ6ö æ6ö
10 10 ´ ç ÷ 10 ´ ç ÷ ...
5
è5ø è5ø
Solution
Term a ar ar 2
ar 3 ...
We look at the initial value of the item and
calculate its new value each year. At the start, the 6
value of the item of jewellery is $1000 Where a = 10 and r = are the first term and the
5
common ratio of a geometric progression.
At the end of year 1, the value is
$ 1000 + 10% ( $1000) To complete the job, 800 m3 of soil is to be removed.
= $1000 ´ 1.1 Let n be the number of days taken to complete the
job. Then Sn = 800 where Sn = sum of the first n
At the end of year 2, the value is
terms of the geometric progression.
($ 1000 ´ 1.1) + 10 % of ($ 1000 ´ 1.1)
= $ 1000 ´ (1.1)2 a ( r n - 1)
Sn = r >1
r -1
At the end of year 3, the value is Substituting in the above formula, we have:
($ 1000 ´ 1.12) + 10 % of ($ 1000 ´ 1.12) æ æ 6 ön ö
= $ 1000 ´ (1.1)3 10 ç ç ÷ - 1÷
çè 5 ø ÷
\ è ø = 800
When we observe its new value each year, a 6
-1
special pattern emerges. 5
æ æ 6 ön ö
This is a geometric progression with first term of 10 ç ç ÷ - 1÷ = 160
çè 5 ø ÷
$ 1000 and common ratio of 1.1. è ø
1.2n = 17
Hence, the estimated value of the item of jewellery
To solve for n, take logs to the base 10
after eleven years can be obtained by using the
formula for the n th term of the GP. 𝑙𝑔1.2) = 𝑙𝑔17
𝑛𝑙𝑔1.2 = 𝑙𝑔17
Tn = ar n - 1 𝑙𝑔17
𝑛=
=$ 1000 ´ 1.111 – 1 = $ 1000 ´ 1.110 = $2 593.74 𝑙𝑔1.2
𝑛 = 15.5, 𝑛 𝜖 𝑍 I
The value at the start of the 11th year is $2 593.74 Hence the job is complete on the 16th day

Example 12 Sequences and series using Σ notation

An earth mover has a job to remove 800 m3 of soil We can describe an AP by writing a formula for the
over a certain period. On the first day 10 m3 is nth term of the sequence instead of listing the terms.
moved and on each day the amount of soil moved Let Tn represent the nth term, where
C Tn = 2n − 1 and n = 1,2,3,...(n is a positive integer)
is D times the amount removed on the previous
The terms of the A.P can be calculated by
day.
substituting n = 1, 2, 3, … to obtain:
This continues until the job is complete. Find the
number of days taken to complete the job. T1 = 2 (1) - 1 T2 = 2 ( 2 ) - 1 T3 = 2 ( 3) - 1
=1 =3 =5
And so, the AP is {1, 3, 5, …} Solution
The sum of this AP to infinity is a series and can be 40

written using the Σ notation as å ( 2r - 3) = 2 (1) - 3 + 2 ( 2 ) - 3 + 2 (3) - 3 + ... + 2 ( 40 ) - 3

r =1
n=∞

∑ (2n − 1)
40

n=1
å ( 2r - 3) = -1 + 1 + 3 + ... + 77
r =1
n=∞
This is an AP with 𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 2, 𝑛 = 40 and 𝑙 = 77
So we can write ∑ (2n − 1) = 1+ 3+ 5 + ... 40
\ å ( 2 r - 3) = S40
n=1

r =1
Summation Notation
n n
A series may be denoted by å Tn , where
b
For an AP Sn = ( a + l ) OR Sn = {2a + ( n - 1) d }
2 2
n=a 40
40
b
∑ (2r − 3) = (−1+ 77) = 20(76) = 1520
å denotes the sum of and åT
n=a
n denotes the sum r=1 2
OR
of all the terms from n = a to n = b. 40
40
∑ (2r − 3) = 2 {2(−1) + (40 − 1)2}
r=1

Example 13 = 20 {−2 + (39 × 2)} = 20(76) = 1520

50
Find the sum å (3k + 2) .
k =1 Alternative Method
We could have solved this problem using basic laws
involving the summation notation. We can distribute
Solution the summation as shown:
50

å ( 3k + 2 ) means the sum of the terms of the

40 40 40
k =1
sequence from k = 1 to k = 50 , inclusive. å ( 2 r - 3) º 2 å r - å 3
r =1 r =1 r =1
To obtain the first term substitute k = 1 , so
T1 = 3(1) + 2 = 5 Expressing the first term as an AP, we have
40
The second and third terms are T2 = 3 2 + 2 = 8 , () å r = 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 40
r =1
()
and T3 = 3 3 + 2 = 11 . This is an AP with a = 1 , d = 1, n = 40 and l = 40 .
The sequence looks like {5, 8, 11, …} Any of the formulae for Sn may be used.
40
This is an AP with 1st term a = 5 common S40 = (1 + 40 ) = 20 ( 41)
2
difference, d = 8 - 5 = 3 and the number of terms,
S40 = 820
n = 50
The last term, l = 3(50) + 2 = 152
We now simplify the second term.
40 40
50
n 50 å 3 = 3 + 3 + 3 + ... + 3 (40 times). So, å 3 = 120
(
∴ ∑ 3k + 2 = S50 = ) 2
(a + l) =
2
( )
5 + 152 = 3925 r=1 r=1
k =1 40 40 40

We could have used: å ( 2 r - 3) º 2 å r - å 3

r =1 r =1 r =1
n
{
S50 = 2a + ( n − 1) d
2
} 40

å ( 2r - 3) = 2 (820 ) - 120
r =1

=
50
2
{
2 (5) + (50 − 1) 3 = 3925 } 40

å ( 2r - 3) = 1520
r =1

Example 14
40
Evaluate å (2r - 3) .
r =1