MATH REVIEWER

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
SEQUENCE AND SERIES

● If there is a constant difference

SEQUENCE between consecutive terms of a
sequence, then the sequence is

● A sequence is a list of numbers an arithmetic sequence.

in a certain number
● Term: each number in a IDENTIFYING IF THE SEQUENCE IS
sequence ARITHMETIC, THEN DETERMINE THE
○ Two Types of Sequence COMMON DIFFERENCE

■ Finite = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 A. -5, -1, 3, 7,...

■ Infinite = 2, 4, 6, 8, (right to left)
10, … 7-3=4
● Discovering Patterns 3 - (-1) = 4
■ For each sequence -1 - (-5) = 4

describe the
A. has a common difference (4),
pattern, write the
therefore it is arithmetic
next three terms
and write the rule B. 2, 6, 9, 14,…

14 - 9 = 5
SERIES
9-6=3
6-2=4
● If you add the terms in a
sequence the result is a series B. has no common difference
between consecutive terms,
therefore it is non-arithmetic.

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MATH REVIEWER

An = Arithmetic Sequence Find the 20th term of the sequence

a1 = 1st term 0,4,8,12,…
n = term you want to find
d = common difference An = a1 +(n-1)d
a1 – 0
n – 20
● Write a rule for the nth term of
d – 12 – 8 =4, 8-4 = 4, 4-0 = 4
the sequence
○ Example: An = 0 + (20-1)4
■ 30, 26, 22 An = 0 + 19(4)
○ then find the 15th term An = 76

Therefore, the 20th term of the

The general rule: An = a1 + (n-1) d sequence 0,4,8,12 is 76.

○ Solution:
a1 = 30
d = 22 - 26 = -4
PRACTICE:
26 - 30 = -4
Identify if the following sequences
An = a1 + (n-1) d are arithmetic, if so determine the
An = 30 + (n-1) (-4) common difference.
An = 30 -4n + 4
An = 34 - 4n 1. 38, 68, 98, 128,..
2. -700, -750, -800, -850, -900,..
To find the 15th term, replace n with 15 3. −7, −9, −11, −13, ...
An = 34 - 4(15)
An = 34 - 60 = -26

The 15th term of 30, 26, 22 is -26

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MATH REVIEWER

ARITHMETIC SERIES SUM OF THE SERIES

● For a more convenient and

easier way of writing a series,
you can use the summation
notation.
● Symbol: ∑
○ The finite series
2+5+8+11+14+17 can be
written as

i – the relative position of term or the

index of summation.
TRY:
1 – the lower limit of the summation 1. 6
6 – the upper limit of the summation Σ 3i
i=1
17 – 14 = 3
14 – 11 = 3
2. 8
11 - 8 = 3 Σ 4k
8-5=3 k=5
5-2=3

common difference being 3

3i, I = 1, 3(1) = 3 - 1 = 2, 1- lower limit
3i, I = 2, 3(2) = 6-1 = 5
3i, I = 3, 3(3) = 9-1 = 8
3i, I= 6, 3(6) – 1 = 18 – 1 =17, 6 – upper
limit

“ the sum from I equals 1 to 6 of 3i – 1”

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MATH REVIEWER

27/9 = 3
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE AND SERIES
Next, Multiply the common ratio to the
last given term
● 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 is called a
geometric sequence
27 x 3 = 81
● A sequence is geometric is the
81 x 3 = 243
ratios of consecutive terms are
243 x 3 = 729
equal

The next three terms of the sequence

DIVIDE any term in the sequence by are 81, 243 and 729.
the number that precedes it

Ex: In the sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 the WRITING THE NEXT TERMS OF THE
ratio is 2 SEQUENCE USING THE FORMULA

a2 / a1 = r
4/2 = 2, 8//4 = 2, 16/8 = 2, 32/16 = 2

Ex: r = 2, a1 = 2
TRY: Identify the common ratio (r)
Substitute the value of r and a1
1. 2, -6, 18, -54 …
2. 1/3 , 1/9, 1/27…
a2 / 2 = 2
3. 32, 8, 2, 1/2 …
Multiply the denominator to r to get
your next term
WRITING THE NEXT TERMS OF THE
(a2 / 2 = 2) 2 x 2 = a2 = 4
SEQUENCE

Ex: Find the next three terms

1, 3, 9, 27

First find the common ratio:

3/1 = 3
9/3 = 3 ratio = 3

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MATH REVIEWER

TRY: Write the next three terms of the

sequence
1. 1, -6, 36, -216…
2. 2, 8 , 32, 132…
3. r = -3, a1 = 12

DISCONTINUED

REVIEWER BY SIR DAREN

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
- Sequence = A sequence is a list of
numbers in a certain number.

- Series = If you add the terms in a

sequence the result is called a series.

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MATH REVIEWER

- Arithmetic Sequence = A sequence - Finite Sequence = It is a sequence

of values that follows a pattern of
adding a fixed amount from one term
to the next.
- Arithmetic Series = An arithmetic
series is the sum of the terms in an
arithmetic sequence with a definite
number of terms.
where there is an end or a last term.
- Infinite Sequence = It is a sequence
where the three dots (an ellipsis)
signifies that it has no end.
- Terms of Sequence = This is what you
call each number of a sequence.

- Geometric Sequence = It is - Fibonacci = This is a sequence in

geometric if the ratios of consecutive which each number is a sum of two
terms are equal. previous.

- Geometric Series = The expression - Harmonic = This is a sequence whose

formed by adding terms of geometric reciprocal forms an arithmetic
sequence. sequence.

- Common Ratio = The constant factor

between consecutive terms of a
geometric sequence.

- Golden Ratio = if their ratio is the

same as the ratio of their sum to the
larger of the two quantities.

- Common Difference = The difference

between two consecutive terms in an
arithmetic sequence.

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MATH REVIEWER