PY Sequences and Series DR Ley

STPM Mathematics T [Term 1] Chapter 2 : Sequences and Series
STPM Past Year Questions
1 STPM 2013 P1 Q2
A sequence 𝑎 , 𝑎 , 𝑎 , … is defined by 𝑎 = 3𝑛 . The difference between successive terms
of the sequence forms a new sequence 𝑏 , 𝑏 , 𝑏 , …
(a) Express 𝑏 in terms of 𝑛. [2 marks]
(b) Show that 𝑏 , 𝑏 , 𝑏 , … is an arithmetic sequence, and state its first term and
common difference. [3 marks]
(c) Find the sum of the first 𝑛 terms of the sequence 𝑏 , 𝑏 , 𝑏 , … in terms of 𝑎 and 𝑏 .
[2 marks]
Dr. Ley 1
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2 STPM 2013 Mathematics M P1 Q2

Write the infinite recurring decimal 0.131̇8̇ (= 0.13181818 … ) as the sum of a constant
and a geometric series. Hence, express the recurring decimal as a fraction in its lowest
terms. [4 marks]
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(a) Express in partial fractions, and deduce that
( )
1 1 1 1
≡ −
𝑟(𝑟 − 1) 2 𝑟(𝑟 − 1) 𝑟(𝑟 + 1)
[4 marks]
Hence, use the method of differences to find the sum of the first (𝑛 − 1) terms, 𝑆 ,
of the series
1 1 1 1
+ + + ⋯+ + ⋯,
2 × 3 3 × 8 4 × 15 𝑟(𝑟 − 1)
and deduce 𝑆 . [6 marks]
(b) Explain why the series converges to , and determine the smallest value of 𝑛 such
that
1
− 𝑆 < 0.0025
4
[5 marks]
Dr. Ley 3
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4 STPM 2014 P1 Q2
Use binomial expansion of √3 + 2 and √3 − 2 to evaluate √3 + 2 + √3 − 2 .
Hence, show that 2701 < √3 + 2 < 2702. [7 marks]
Dr. Ley 4
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5 STPM 2014 P1 Q7
(a) Show that for a fixed number 𝑥 ≠ 1, 3𝑥 + 3𝑥 + ⋯ + 3𝑥 is a geometric series and
find its sum in terms of 𝑥 and 𝑛. [4 marks]
(b) The series 𝑇 (𝑥) is given by
𝑇 (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 7𝑥 + ⋯ + (3𝑛 − 2)𝑥 , for 𝑥 ≠ 1
By considering 𝑇 (𝑥) − 𝑥𝑇 (𝑥) and using the result from (a), show that
𝑥 + 2𝑥 − (3𝑛 + 1)𝑥 + (3𝑛 − 2)𝑥
𝑇 (𝑥) =
(1 − 𝑥 )
[5 marks]
Hence, find the value of
2 (3𝑟 − 2)
and deduce the value of
2 (3𝑟 + 1)
[6 marks]
Dr. Ley 5
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Show that the first three terms in the expansions of (1 − 8𝑥) and in ascending
powers of 𝑥 are the same. Determine the range of values of 𝑥 for which both expansions
are valid. [6 marks]
Use the result (1 − 8𝑥) ≈ to obtain an approximation of (0.84) as a fraction.
[3 marks]
Dr. Ley 6
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7 STPM 2015 P1 Q2
The 𝑟th term, 𝑢 , of an infinite series is given by
1 1
𝑢 = +
3 3
(a) Express 𝑢 in the form , where 𝐴 is a constant. [2 marks]
(b) Find the sum of the first 𝑛 terms of the series, and deduce the sum of the infinite
series. [6 marks]
Dr. Ley 7
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A recursive formula for the general term of a sequence is given by 𝑢 = 𝑢 + 2𝑟 + 3,
where 𝑢 = 1.
(a) Write down the first four terms of the sequence. [2 marks]
(b) Suggest an explicit formula for the general term and verify your answer. [3 marks]
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Express in partial fractions. [3 marks]
(a) Show that the expansion of in ascending powers of is + + ⋯,

and determine the range of values of 𝑥 for which the expansion is valid. [8 marks]
Dr. Ley 9
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10 STPM 2016 P1 Q2
A convergent sequence is defined by 𝑢 = 1 + 𝑢 and 𝑢 = 1.
(a) Write down each of the terms 𝑢 , 𝑢 and 𝑢 in the form

1
3
And show that an explicit formula for 𝑢 is given by
3 1
𝑢 = 1−
2 3
[5 marks]
(b) Determine the limit of 𝑢 as 𝑟 tends to infinity. [2 marks]
Dr. Ley 10
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Show that
1 1
2 3
is a convergent series. Give a reason for your answer. [3 marks]
Hence, determine the sum of the convergent series. [2 marks]
Dr. Ley 11
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12 STPM 2017 P1 Q2
The sum of the first 𝑛 terms of a sequence 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , … is given by 𝑆 = 3𝑛 − 𝑛. Find an
explicit and a recursive formulae for 𝑢 . [5 marks]
Dr. Ley 12
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13 STPM 2018 P1 Q2
The sum 𝑆 of the first 𝑛 terms of a sequence 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , … is given by 𝑆 = 1 − 3 .
(a) Show that 𝑢 = 8(3 ). [3 marks]
(b) Express 𝑢 in terms of 𝑢 and deduce that the sequence is a geometric sequence.
[3 marks]
(c) Find the sum of the infinite series 𝑢 + 𝑢 + 𝑢 + ⋯ [3 marks]
Dr. Ley 13
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14 STPM 2019 P1 Q2
The sum of the first 𝑛 terms of a sequence is given by 𝑆 = 7𝑛 − 9𝑛.
(a) Find an explicit formula for the 𝑎 , the 𝑛th term of the sequence. Determine
whether 𝑎 is increasing as 𝑛 increases. [4 marks]
(b) Show that the series is an arithmetic series. [2 marks]
Dr. Ley 14
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15 STPM 2019 P1 Q7
The series expansion of (1 + 𝑝𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥 to the term in 𝑥 is
1 5 5
1 − 𝑥 + 𝑞𝑥 − 𝑥 − 𝑥 −⋯
4 192 384
(a) Show that 𝑛 satisfies the equation 9𝑛 + 3𝑛 − 2 = 0. [6 marks]
(b) Determine the values of 𝑛, 𝑝 and 𝑞. [6 marks]
(c) Using the series expansion above with 𝑥 = , find the value of correct to four
decimal places. [3 marks]
Dr. Ley 15
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16 STPM 2020 P1 Q2
Expand in ascending power of 𝑥 up to the terms in 𝑥 . Find the range of values of

𝑥 such that the expansion is valid. [8]
Dr. Ley 16
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17 STPM 2021 P1 Q2
A sequence 𝑢 , 𝑢 , 𝑢 , … is defined by the recursive formula 𝑢 = 2𝑢 − 7 for 𝑟 ≥ 3
with 𝑢 = 𝑝 and 𝑢 = 𝑞.
(a) Show that
(i) 𝑢 = 2 𝑞 − 2(7) − 7, [1 mark]
(ii) 𝑢 = 2 𝑞 − 2 (7) − 2(7) − 7, [1 mark]
Hence, find the explicit formula for 𝑢 and 𝑢 , where 𝑛 ≥ 1. [5 marks]
(b) Given that the 18 term of the sequence is 137 times the fifth term of the sequence.
Express 𝑞 in terms of 𝑝. [2 marks]
Dr. Ley 17
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PY Sequences and Series DR Ley

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PY Sequences and Series DR Ley

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STPM Mathematics T [Term 1] Chapter 2 : Sequences and Series

STPM Past Year Questions

2 STPM 2013 Mathematics M P1 Q2

3 STPM 2013 Mathematics M P1 Q7

and deduce the value of

6 STPM 2014 Mathematics M P1 Q2

Use the result (1 − 8𝑥) ≈ to obtain an approximation of (0.84) as a fraction.

8 STPM 2015 Mathematics M P1 Q2

9 STPM 2015 Mathematics M P1 Q7

(a) Show that the expansion of in ascending powers of is + + ⋯,

(a) Write down each of the terms 𝑢 , 𝑢 and 𝑢 in the form

11 STPM 2016 Mathematics M P1 Q2

Expand in ascending power of 𝑥 up to the terms in 𝑥 . Find the range of values of

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