CN: 1.2.

Arithmetic sequences & series

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 9:51 AM

Arithmetic sequences
• Add or subtract the same value from a previous term to get the next term
• Recursive formula: Used for determining the terms of the sequence
○ un = un-1 + d (d: common difference)
○ d = un - un-1
• Explicit formula: When given the first several terms
○ un = u1 + (n-1)d

Example problem
Consider the sequence 1, 13, 25, 37,…
• Show the sequence is arithmetic
○ 37 - 25 = 12
○ 25 - 13 = 12
○ 13 - 1 = 12
○ It is an arithmetic sequence because the common difference is +12
• Find the formula for its general term
○ un = u1 + (n-1)d
○ un = 1 + (n-1)12 = 12n-11
• Find the 99th term: u99 = (12)(99) - 11 = 1177
Find the consecutive arithmetic terms: 32, k, 3
• d = un - un-1
• Since d is always the same in arithmetic sequences: k-32 = 3-k
• k = 17.5

Arithmetic series
• A sum of the terms in a arithmetic sequence
• Two formula used to find the sum of the first n terms (Sn): If you know…
○ First term & common difference:

○ First term & last term:

• Proof

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https://www.coursehero.com/file/74840403/12-Arithmetic-Sequence-Series-Notes-Hang-Phampdf/
Math IB HL Page 1
 Example problems
Find the sum of the arithmetic sequence 3,15, 27, 39,…, 135 (12 terms)
• Know first & common difference
○ Sn = n/2 (2u1 + (n-1)d)
○ S12 = 12/2 (2(3) + (12-1)12) = 6 (6 + 132) = 828
• Known first & last term
○ Sn = n/2 (u1 + un)
○ S12 = 12/2 (3 + 135) = 6 x 138 = 828
An arithmetic sequence is given by un = -121 + 18n. Find the sum of the first 10 terms
• un = -121 + 18n
• u1 = -121 + 18(1) = -103; u10 = -121 + 18(10) = 59
• Sn = n/2 (u1 + un)
• S10 = 10/2 (-103 + 59) = 5 (-44) = -220

This study source was downloaded by 100000823767997 from CourseHero.com on 04-06-2024 05:30:47 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/74840403/12-Arithmetic-Sequence-Series-Notes-Hang-Phampdf/
Math IB HL Page 2
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