Asian Development Foundation College

BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Program / Title: Basic Education – Grade Ten

Subject Title: Mathematics
Instructor / Author: Mrs. Cristina A. De Ontoy
Module No.: 1
Topics: Harmonic Sequences and Fibonacci Sequences, and Problems Involving Sequences
Lesson No.: 3
Learning Outcomes:
The learner should be able to:
1. Illustrate other types of sequences – the Harmonic and Fibonacci.
2. Determine the nth term of Harmonic and Fibonacci Sequences.
3. Solve problems involving sequences.

Method of Assessment: Seatwork, Quiz

Assessment Criteria:

Key Concepts:
1. A harmonic sequence is a sequence formed by the reciprocals of the terms of an arithmetic
sequence.
2. A harmonic mean is the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean of a corresponding arithmeticsequence.
3. The Fibonacci sequence is a sequence where the third term, and the terms thereafter, areformed
by
adding the first two preceding terms.

Key Terms:
1. Harmonic sequence
2. Harmonic Mean
3. Fibonacci Sequence

References:
Realistic Math
Math for Engaged Learning

Links:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kwNeu.JkiHDg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mV02dcuR7PO
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Program/ Title: Basic Education – Grade Ten

Subject Title: Mathematics
Instructor/ Author: Mrs. Cristina A. De Ontoy
Module No.: 1
Lesson No.: 3

Lesson No. 3

HARMONICSEQUENCE

The word harmonic is often associated to music and acoustics. The illustration above shows the modes
of a vibrating string which is said to be harmonic. The topmost wave is called the first harmonic, the second
wave as second harmonic, and so on. Let us look closely at the sequence formed by the strings.
1 1 1 1 1
1 , , , 1, , ,
2 3 4 5 6 7

This sequence is an example of a harmonic sequence. If we will get the reciprocal of each of the terms,
we will have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This new sequence forms arithmetic sequence. Recall that in an arithmetic
sequence, a common difference exists among the terms. Thus, a harmonic sequence is a sequence formed by
the reciprocals of the terms in an arithmetic sequence. The formula to get the nth term of a harmonic
𝟏
sequence is 𝒂𝒏 = .
𝒂𝟏+(𝒏−𝟏)𝒅
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Consequently, a harmonic mean is the reciprocal of the arithmetic mean based on the given
harmonic sequence.

Let us determine the indicated term in the following sequences.

Example 1
1 1 1
Determine the 9th term of the harmonic sequence , , .
2 5 8
Solution:
Using the corresponding arithmetic sequence 2, 5, 8, . . ., we have 𝑎1 = 2 , d = 3 , n = 9.
The nth term of the harmonic sequence is
𝑎= 1
𝑛 𝑎1+(𝑛−1)𝑑
𝑎= 1 =1
9 2 (9−1)3 26

Answer: 𝑎9 = 1
26

Example 2
1 1 1,
Determine the 20th term of the harmonic sequence 6 , 8, ...
Solution: 10
In the corresponding arithmetic sequence,
𝑎1 = 6 , d = 2, n = 20 .
1
ence, 𝑎20 =
H 6+(20−1)2
= 1
44

Example 3
1 1
In a harmonic sequence, 𝑎3 = and 𝑎4 = . What is the 35th term?
15 20
Solution:
n = 35
d = 20 – 15 = 5
𝑎1 = 15 − 2𝑑 = 15 − 2(5) = 5
𝑎35 = 1
5+(35−1)5
1
=
175

Let us solve for the harmonic mean in the following exercises.

Example 4
1 1
Insert a harmonic mean between and .
18 30
Solution:
We use 18, , 30. Determine the arithmetic mean between 18 and 30.
18+30
2
= 24
1 1 1
Answer: The harmonic mean between and is 24.
18 30

Example 5
1 1
Insert six harmonic means between and .
5 33
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Solution:
In the corresponding arithmetic sequence, 𝑎1 = 5, 𝑎8 = 33, and n = 8.
Determine the common difference.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 −
1)𝑑 𝑎8 = 5 + ( 8
−1)𝑑
33 = 5 + 7d
33-5 = 7d
28 = 7d
4=d
The arithmetic sequence is given by 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33. To find the harmonic means, identify
1
the reciprocals. .
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Answer: The six harmonic means between and are , , , , , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 29
5 33 9 13 17 21 25
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

FIBONACCI SEQUENCE
Let us try to figure out the answer to the problem below about rabbit’s population.

Suppose there is a single pair of rabbits, a male and a female. Assume that every month each pair of
rabbits gives birth to a new pair of rabbits, and they never die. Then, the new pair of rabbits starts giving birth
to additional pairs after a month of their birth. How many “pairs” of rabbits will be born in five months.

Let us illustrate the given situation.

Answer: There will be five pairs of rabbits after five months.

The number of pairs of rabbits can be represented as 1, 1, 2,3, 5,........This sequence does not have a
common difference nor a common ratio. Thus, it is neither an arithmetic nor a geometric sequence. It is a
Fibonacci sequence.
The Fibonacci sequence is named after Italian mathematician, Leonardo Pisano Bigollo who is also
known in math history as Leonardo of Pisa and Leonardo Fibonacci. The problem about rabbits is published in
his book Liber Abaci in 1202. In the Fibonacci sequence, the third term and the terms thereafter are formed
by adding the first two preceding terms. The formula to get the nth term of the Fibonacci sequence is
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 , for > 2 .

Using the problem on rabbits population, how many pairs of rabbits will there be after a year?

Solution:
𝑎1 = 𝑎7 = 5 + 8 = 13 𝑎8
1 𝑎2 = = 8 + 13 = 21 𝑎9
1 = 13 + 21 = 34
𝑎3 = 1 + 1 = 2 𝑎10 = 21 + 34 =
𝑎4 = 1 + 2 = 3 55 𝑎11 = 34 + 55 =
𝑎5 = 2 + 3 = 5 89 𝑎12 = 55 + 89 =
𝑎6 = 3 + 5 = 8 144

Thus, there will be 144 pairs of rabbits after a year.

Examples:
Use the pattern in determining the next three terms of a sequence patterned after the
Fibonacci sequence.
1. 1, 3, 4, , ,
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

2. 2, 5, 7, , ,
3. 2, 2, 4, , ,
4. 3, 5, 8, , ,
5. 4, 5, 9, , ,

Solution:
The third term and the terms thereafter of a Fibonacci sequence are formed by adding the first
two preceding terms, so;
1. 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18
2. 2, 5, 7, 12, 19, 31
3. 2, 2, 4, 6, 10, 16
4. 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34
5. 4, 5, 9, 14, 23, 37

Trivia
Don’t you know that the sum of the first ten terms of any Fibonacci sequence is eleven times its seventh term?
Let’s try to check this sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233,644… by comparing the
sum the first ten terms to the product of the seventh term and eleven. That is,
?
1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 8 + 13 + 21 + 34 + 55 = 13 x 11
143 = 143

Let’s have another one. 4, 5, 9, 14, 23, 37, 60, 97, 157, 254, 411, …
Is 4 + 5 + 9 + 14 + 23 + 37 + 60 + 97 + 157 + 254 = 60 x 11?
Solution:
?
4 + 5 + 9 + 14 + 23 + 37 + 60 + 97 + 157 + 254 = 60 x 11
660 = 660
Answer: Yes.
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

PROBLEMS INVOLVING SEQUENCES

Sequences exist around us. The illustration above shows the branches of a tree following the sequence
1, 3, 5, 8, 13. Thus, it displays sequence in nature. The same pattern is also true for leaf arrangement in some
plants and petals of some flowers.

Recall that we already have discussed the four types of sequences – arithmetic, geometric, harmonic,
and Fibonacci. It is important to remember the formula related to each type of sequence. It is helpful to follow
a format in solving problems.

The following formulas are helpful in answering problems involvingsequences.

Arithmetic sequence 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

𝑛
Arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛= [2𝑎 +1(𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2𝑛
or 𝑆𝑛 = 2(𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛)

Geometric sequence 𝑎𝑛 =𝑎1𝑟𝑛−1

𝑎1−𝑎1𝑟𝑛 𝑎1(1−𝑟𝑛)
Finite Geometric series 𝑆𝑛 = , 𝑟 ≠ 1 or 𝑆𝑛 = ,𝑟≠1
1−𝑟 1−𝑟
𝑎1
Infinite Geometric series 𝑆∞ = 1−𝑟 , |𝑟| < 1

( 1 )
Harmonicsequence 𝑎𝑛 =
𝑎1+ 𝑛−1 𝑑

Fibonacci sequence 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 + 𝑎𝑛−2 , 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 > 2

Let us first identify the type of sequence described in each situation.

1. The base fare of LRT from one station to the next is ₱15.00, and ₱5.00 more every succeeding
station. Answer: Arithmetic sequence – There is a common difference of ₱5.00.
2. The number of ants in the colony doubles every week.
Answer: Geometric sequence – There is a common ratio of 2.
3. Daisies have 13, 21, 34, 55, or 89 petals.
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Answer: Fibonacci sequence – The third term and the terms thereafter are formed by adding
the
first two preceding terms.
4. The cost of a house and lot appreciates by 3.5% per year.
Answer: Geometric sequence – There is a common ratio of 0.035.
5. A person who initially saves ₱2,000.00, then saves ₱500.00 the next month, and saves ₱500.00 every
month thereafter.
Answer: Arithmetic sequence – There is a common difference of ₱500.00.

Let us try now to answer problems involving sequences.

Example 1
During the first month of the year, the annex branch of a certain car brand was able to sell six
units of cars. Due to low down payment scheme and discounts, the branch was able to sell 10 units in
February and 14 units in March. If the sales continue to increase in this pattern, how many units of cars
are projected to be sold for the month of December?

Solution:
The problem can be represented by the sequence 6,10, 14,........It can be observed that
there is a common difference of 4, that is, 10 – 6 = 4 and 14 – 10 = 4. Hence, it is an arithmetic
sequence.
Let d = 4, n = 12 (January to December), 𝑎1 = 6 , and 𝑎12 be the projected units of cars
to be sold in December.
𝑎12 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 −
1)𝑑 𝑎12 = 6 + (12 − 1)4
𝑎12 = 6 +
(11)4 𝑎12 = 6 +
44 𝑎12 = 50
Answer: Fifty units of cars are projected to be sold in December.

Example 2
Ana was able to read 2 books in a year when she was 10 years old. As she grows older, reading
books becomes her habit. She is able to read three more books the following year and the year
thereafter. How many books in all will she be able to read in a span of five years?

Solution:
The sequence 2, 5, 8, . . . represents the problem. There is a common difference of
three. Hence, it is an arithmetic sequence.
d = 3 , n = 5 , 𝑎1 = 2 , and 𝑆5 be the total number of books she will be able to read in
five years.
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] 𝑆5
2
= 5 [2(2) + (5 − 1)3]
2
𝑆5 = 5 [4 + (4)3]
2
5
𝑆5 = (4 +
2
12) 𝑆55 = (16)
2
80
𝑆5 = 2

𝑆5 = 40
Answer: Ana will be able to read 40 books in a span of five years.
 Asian Development Foundation College
BLISS, Sagkahan, Tacloban City

Example 3
Jogging is part of Rey’s therapy. His trainer advised him to jog for five weeks. Rey was able to
jog for two minutes during the first week, and triples his jogging time every week. How many minutes
will it take him to jog during his last week of therapy?
Solution:
The sequence 2, 6, 18, . . . represents the problem. There is a common ratio of three,
(6÷2). Hence, it is an example of a geometric sequence.
r = 3, n = 5 , 𝑎1 = 2 , and
𝑎5 be the number of minutes that Rey will jog in his 5th week of therapy.
𝑎5 = 2(3)5−1
𝑎5 = 2(3)4
𝑎5 =
2(18) 𝑎5 =
162
Answer: Rey will jog for 162 minutes during the last week of his therapy.