5.

1 Arithmetic Sequences and Series

A sequence is a set of numbers in a defined order.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ... is a sequence; as is 1,2,4,8,16, …; as is 1, -3, 5, -7, 9, -11, ...

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence where you add a consistent value to get to the next term.
This value is called the common difference, denoted by d. The formula for d is: d = un - un-1

In general the formula for the nth term of a sequence is un = u1 + (n - 1)d, where u1 is the first
term and

Ex 1 For 12, 7, 2, -3, …

a. Show that the sequence is arithmetic
b. Write an expression for un
c. Find u10
d. Is -25 a value in the sequence?

A series is when you add up the values in a sequence.

1+2+3+4+ … is an arithmetic series since it is the sum of the values of an arithmetic sequence.

Ex 2 For 3 + 7 + 11 + 15 + …
a. Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the series.
b. 51 is the last term in the series. Find the sum of the series.

p.92#2,4,6,8adg,10
p.114 #2ac,5-7,15-17