Republic of the Philippines

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

PHILIPPINE ENGINEERING AND AGRO – INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE, INC.

Advanced Algebra
Grade 10

Haina C. Batua, LPT

Title: Mathematics 10 Learning Modules
Module 1: Advanced Algebra– First Quarter

Lesson 2: Arithmetic Sequence and Series

I. Lesson Overview:
Nature is not a strange place for these mathematical concepts. Sequential patterns have been
observed in beehive construction, pine cone, sunflower, and pineapple structure. Even a Nautilus shell
exhibits a define pattern of numbers.
In this lesson, we will discuss about sequence and series.
II. Objectives
At the end of the lesson the learner will be able to:
1. determine arithmetic means and nth terms of arithmetic sequence.
2. find the sum of terms of a given arithmetic sequence.

III. Lesson Proper

Arithmetic Sequences and Series

A sequence in which a successive term is found by adding a constant value to the previous term is called
an arithmetic sequence. For example, 2 ,5 ,8 , 11 … is an arithmetic sequence.
An arithmetic sequence can be defined by a difference equation of the form t n=t n−1+ d , where d is a
constant.
If the first term of an arithmetic sequence is t 1 , then the nth term of the sequence t n can also be described
by the following rule.
Definition 1.2.1
The nth term of an Arithmetic Sequence
If t 1 , t 2 , t 3 , … . , t n represents an arithmetic sequence with common difference d , then the nth term is given
by
t n=t 1+ ( n−1 ) d where d=t n −t n−1 .

Example 1.2.1: Find the 10 thterm of the arithmetic sequence −4 ,−1 , 2 ,5 , …

Solution: Since t n=t 1+ ( n−1 ) d
t 10=−4 + ( 10−1 ) 3

Therefore, t 10=23.
Example 1.2.2: write a formula for the nth term of the given arithmetic sequences 12 ,19 , 26 , 33 , 40 , …
Solution: Each term is 7 more than the previous term, so d=7. Since t 1=12, the nth term is
t n=t 1+ ( n−1 ) d

Therefore, t n=7 n+5

Example 1.2.3: A national park has a series of huts along one of its mountain trails. The first hut is 5km from
the start of the trail; the second is 8km form the start, the third 11 km, and so on.
a. How far from the start of the trail is the sixth hut?
b. How far is it from the sixth hut to the twelfth hut?

Solution:
a. Distances of the huts from the start of the trail form an arithmetic sequence with t 1=5 and d=3. For the
sixth hut t 6=t 1+ 5 d=5+5 ×3=20. The sixth hut is 20 km from the start of the trail.

b. For the twelfth hut t 12=t 1 +11 d=5+11 ×3=38.

Therefore, from sixth to the twelfth hut: t 12−t 6 =38−20=18 km. The twelfth hut is 18km from the sixth
hut.

Example 1.2.4: The 12th term of an arithmetic sequence is 9 and the 25th term is 100. Find t 1 and d .

Solution: Since t n=t 1+ ( n−1 ) d

9=t 1 +11 d (1)
100=t 1 +24 d (2)
Subtract (1) from (2)
91=13 d
Therefore, d=7.
From (1) we have 9=t 1 +11 ( 7 ) . Therefore, t 1=−68.

Arithmetic Series
The sum of the terms in a sequence is called a series. If the sequence in question is arithmetic, the series
is called an arithmetic series. The symbol Sn is used to denote the sum of n terms of a sequence.

That is, Sn=t 1 +t 1+ d+ t 1 +2 d+ …+ ( n−2 ) d+ t 1 + ( n−1 ) d

If this sum is written in reverse order, then
Sn=t 1 + ( n−1 ) d+t 1 + ( n−2 ) d + …+t 1 +2 d +t 1+ d+t 1
Adding these two expressions together gives
2 S n=n [ 2 t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ] .

n n
Therefore, Sn=
2
[ 2t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ] and since the last terml=t n=t 1 + ( n−1 ) d , we have Sn= ( t 1 +t n ) .
2

Formula for the Sum of an Arithmetic Sequence

n
Sn = [ 2t + ( n−1 ) d ]
2 1
t 1 +t n
Sn=( )
2

Example 1.2.5: A hardware store sells nails in a range of packets containing different numbers of nails. Packet
A contains 50 nails, packet B has 75 nails, packet C has 100, and so on.
a. Find the number of nails in packet J .
b. Glenn buys one of each of packet A ¿ J . How many nails in total does Glenn have?
c. Assuming he buys one of each packet starting at A , how many packets does he need to buy to have a
total of 1, 100 nails?

Solution:
a. t 1=50 , d=25
t n=t 1+ ( n−1 ) d
t 10=50+9 ×25=275
Packet J contains 275 nails.

b. t 1=50 , d=25
n
Sn= [ 2t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ]
2
10
S10= (2 (50 )+ 9 ×25)
2
S10=1 , 625
Packet A ¿ J contain a total of 1, 625 nails.

c. t 1=50 , d=25 , S n=1 , 100

n
Sn= [ 2t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ]
2
n
Sn= = [2 ( 50 ) + ( n−1 ) ( 25 ) ]=1,100
2
n ( 100+25 n−25 )=2 , 200
 n ( 100+25 n−25 )=2 , 200

25 n2 +75 n−2,200=0
2
n +3 n−88=0
( n+11 ) ( n−8 )=0
n=−11∨n=8
Since n> 0 ,n=8.
If Glenn buys one of each of the first eight packets ( A¿ H ) he will have exactly 1 ,100 nails.

Example 1.2.6: For the arithmetic sequence 3 , 6 , 9 ,12 , … , calculate

a. The sum of the first 25 terms
b. The number of terms in the sequences if Sn=1, 395.

Solution:
a. t 1=3 , d=3 , n=25
n
Sn= [ 2t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ]
2
25
S25 = [ 2 ( 3 ) + ( 24 )( 3 ) ] =975
2

b. t 1=3 , d=3 , S n=1 , 395

n
Sn= [ 2t 1 + ( n−1 ) d ]
2
n
Sn= [2 (3 )+(n−1)(3)]
2
n
1,395= [6+3 n−3]
2
2
2 ,790=3 n+3 n
2
3 n +3 n−2, 790=0
2
n +n−930=0
( n−30 ) ( n+31 )=0
Since n> 0 , then n=30.
Therefore, there are 30 terms in the sequence.