Sequences and

Series

Sequence
- Is a relationship from the set of counting numbers (1, 2,
3...) to another set of numbers.

Terms
- The individual numbers in a sequence
- Are denoted by using t followed by a number in
e.g. t1 = 1st term, t2 = 2nd term
subscript.
Rules can also be
written inside
diamond brackets
- Is a general term/rule that generates numbers for a
sequence
- Is denoted using tn
e.g. Find the first three terms of the sequences using the
general
terms
a) tn = 2n
1
b) tn = n2 + 3
n = 1 t1 = 21 t1 = 1
n = 1 t1 = 12 +
t1 = 4
n = 2 t12 = 22 t2 = 3
n = 2 t32 = 22 +
t2 = 7
n = 3 t13 = 23 t3 = 5
n = 3 t33 = 32 +
t3 = 12
1
3

nth Term

ARITHMETIC
- Each term is calculated
by adding or subtracting the same
SEQUENCES
number each time
- The number added or subtracted is called the common
difference
e.g. 1, 5, 9, 13 ... has a common
51=4
difference
6, -1,of
-8, -15 ... has a common
-1 6 = -7
difference of

Finding the Term

- The formula for the general term (nth term) is:

tn = a + (n 1)d
a = first term,d = common difference
e.g. Calculate the nth term and the 27th term of the sequence 3, 7,
11, a
15...
=3 d=73=
tn = 3 + (n 1)4 t27 = 427 1
n4=
tn = 3 + 4n 4
t27 = 107
27
tn = 4n 1
e.g. An arithmetic sequence has t6 = 16 and t9 = 25. Write
down the first five terms of the sequence.
t = 16 3
16 + d + d + d
= 25
16
+ 3d = 25
3d = 9
d=3

= 13
t4 = 13 3
= 10
t3 = 7
t2 = 4
t1 = 1

e.g. Find the number of terms in the sequence 51, 47, 43, 39... 3
a=
51

d = 47 51 =
n-4
=?

tn = 51 + (n 1)-4
tn = 51 4n + 4
tn = 55 4n

The find the number of

terms, we need to find n
or the position of the last
term.
3 = 55 4n
-52 = -4n
13 = n
Therefore there are 13 terms in the
sequence

Partial Sum of an Arithmetic

- The formula to use is:
Sequence
S = n[ 2a + (n 1)d]
n

a = first term,d = common

n = number of terms
e.g. Find the sumdifference,
of the first 20 terms of the sequence 7, 12,
17,a22
= 7 d = 12 7
S20 = 20[ 2 7 + (20 1) 5]
2
n==5
S20 = 10[ 14 + 95]
20
S20 = 1090
e.g. Find the general term and the sum of the sequence 8, 16,
24...120
a = 8 d = 16 8
tn = 8 + (n 1)8
120 = 8n
n==8?
tn = 8 + 8n 8
15 = n
tn = 8n
S15 = 15[ 2 8 + (15 1) 8]
2
S15 = 75[ 16 + 112]
S15 = 960

Applications of Arithmetic
Jane, who is preparingSequences
to run a marathon (42 km), decides
that the best way to get fit is to run a little further each day
until she is capable of running the marathon distance. Her
running schedule is as follows:
Day 1 1 km, Day 2 1.5 km, Day 3 2 km etc.
a) aCalculate
= 1 d =how
1.5 far
1 Jane
= will
tn run
= a on
+ (n
Day
1)d
10 of her schedule.
n0.5
=
t10 = 1 + (10 1) x
10
t0.5
10 = 5.5 km
b) On what day of her schedule will Jane finally run the
n = 1 + (n 1) x 0.5
marathon distance of 42 tkm?
42 = 0.5 0.5n
a = 1 d = 0.5
tn = 1 + 0.5n 0.5 41.5 = 0.5n
n=?
83 = n
tn = 0.5 0.5n
c) By the time she runs the marathon distance, how far will
Jane have run in total?
a = 1 d = 0.5
S83 = 83[2 1 + (83 1) 05]
2
n=
S83 = 415[ 2 + 41]
n
83

Sn = [ 2a + (n 1)d]
2

S83 = 17845 km

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES
- Each term is calculated by multiplying the previous term by
the same number each time
- The number multiplied is called the common ratio
e.g. 3, 12, 48, 192 ... has a common ratio 12 3 = 4
of
32, -16, 8, -4 ... has a common ratio -16 32 = -0.5
of

Finding the Term

- The formula for the general term (nth term) is:

tn = a r(n 1)
a = first term,r = common
ratio
e.g. Calculate the nth term and
the 20th term of the sequence 6,
12, a
24=...
6 r = 12 6
tn = 6 2(n 1)
t20 = 6 2(20 1)
n==2
t20 = 3145728
20
e.g. Find the number of terms in the sequence:
32000, 16000, 8000...31.25
tn = 32000 0.5(n 1)
a = 32000
31.25 = 32000 0.5(n
r = 16000 32000 =
1)
31.25 32000 = 0.5(n
n0.5
=?
1)
log(31.25 32000) =
Remember we need
log0.5(n 1) 32000) = (n 1)
log(31.25
to use logs when
log(31.25 32000) log(0.5) =
log(0.5)
solving index
(n
10 =1)n 1
equations
n = 11

e.g. The 4th term of a geometric sequence is -108 and the 6th term
is -972. Find the first three terms of the sequence
-108 r r = -972
-108 r2 = -972
r2 = 9
r = 3 or -3

t3 = -108 3 t3 = -108 -3
= -36
= 36
t2 = -36 3
t2 = 36 -3
= -12
= -12
t1 = -12 3
t1 = -12 -3
= -4
=4

Partial Sum of a Geometric

- The formula to use is:
Sequence
n
n
Sn = a(1 r )
1r

or

Sn = a(r 1)
r1

a = first term,r = common ratio,n = number of terms

e.g. Find the sum of the first 12 terms of the sequence 54,
18, 6, 2...

1 12
a=
r = 18 54 =
54 1
S12 = 810

3
54
1/3
n
=
S12 =
12
1

Use brackets on
the calculator
correctly!

e.g. Find the sum of the geometric sequence 1, 2, 4...1024

a=1 r=21= n=?
2
tn = 1 2(n 1)
1024 = 1 2(n 1)
1024 = 2(n 1)
log(1024) = log2(n 1)
log(1024) = (n 1) log(2)
log(1024) log(2) = (n 1)
10 = n 1
n = 11

11

S11 = 1(1 (2) )

12

S11 = 2047

Sum to Infinity of a Geometric

- The formula to use is:
Where
Sequence
a
S =
1r

-1 < r < 1

a = first
r = common ratio
term,
e.g. Find the sum to
infinity of the sequence 48, 12, 4...
48
a=
r = 12 48 =

S =
11
48

4
S = 64
e.g. Give the first four terms of the sequence whose first term
is 20 and the sum to infinity is 40
t1 = 20
20
40
=
a=
S = 40
1r
t2 = 20
20 r = ?
40(1 r) = 20
= 10
40 40r = 20
t3 = 10
-40r = -20

t4 =
=5
5
r=1

= 2.5

Applications of Geometric
A new car is purchased
from a dealer for $32000. Each year it
Sequences
loses 20% of its previous years value.
a) Give the first 3 terms of the sequence representing the
cars worth after 1, 2 and 3 years.
t1 = 32000 0.8 t3 = 20480 0.8
r = 1 0.2 =
= $25600
= $16384
0.8
t = 25600 0.8
2

= $20480
b) What is the cars worth (value) after 5 years?
a = 25600 r = 0.8
n=5

tn = a r(n(n 1) 1)
t5 = 25600 0.8(5 1)
t =ar
tn n= 25600 0.8(n 1) t5 = $10485.76

c) How much has the car lost in value after 10 years?

a = 25600 r = 0.8
tn = a r(n 1)
t10 = 25600 0.8(10
n=
tn = 25600 0.8(n 1) t1)10 = $3435.97
10
Value lost = 32000 3435.97 =
$28564.03

d) The owner of the car decides to keep is until it is worth no

less the $5000. What is the maximum number of years he
can keep the car?
tn = 25600 0.8(n 1)
a = 25600
5000 = 25600 0.8(n
r = 0.8
1)
5000 25600 = 0.8(n
n=?
1)
log(5000 25600) =
log0.8(n 1) 25600) = (n 1)
log(5000
log(5000 25600) log(0.8) =
log(0.8)
(n =
7.3
1)n 1
n = 8.3
Maximum number of years
=8

Hints for Application Questions

1. Firstly check if sequence is arithmetic or geometric
2. Determine if it is a term you are seeking or a sum and
choose
3.
List all
formula
of the information known to help decide what you need
to Substitute
4.
find.
information and solve as appropriate.
Remember: If unsure you can always Guess and
Check.

Using Simultaneous Equations

- Sometimes you may need to use simultaneous
equations when working with two separate sequences.
- The equations may involve the formulas for terms or
sums of both the arithmetic and geometric sequences.
One type of example:
When will the following sequences
Sequence A = 17, 23, 29, 35...
a=
Sequence B = 12, 19, 26, 33...
17=
a
12
n

have the same total?

d = 23 17
n=?
==
d
6 19 12
n=?
=7

Sn = [ 2a + (n 1)d]
2
n[ 2 17 + (n 1) 6] = n[ 2 12 + (n 1) 7]
2
2
34 + 6n 6 = 24 + 7n 7
28 + 6n = 17 + 7n
11 = n

Therefore both sequences will have the same total when

n = 11

Sigma Notation

- Where the symbol

(sigma) is used to mean the sum of
- The numbers below and above the symbol show the
first and last numbers in the sequence to be added.
7

e.g. For the following sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16... evaluate

ti

t4 =
13

t5 =
16

t6 =
19

t7 =
22

Evaluate the following:

(3i + 1)

i =1

= (31 + 1) + (32
+ 1) + (33 + 1) +
(34
=
4 ++7 1)
+ 10 + 13
= 34

= 70

a)

i=4

ti = 13 + 16 + 19 + 22 i = 4

b)

3i + 1

i =1

= (31) + (32) +
(33) + (34) + 1
= 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 +
= 31
1

c)

4 i

i =1

= (412) + (422)
+ (432) + (442)
= 4 + 16 + 36 +
= 120
64

Express the following sequences in sigma notation:

a) 51, 47, 43 ... 3
b) 1, 2, 4 ... 1024
a=
d = 47 51 =
51
-4
First find nth
tterm
n = a + (n 1)d
tn = 51 + (n 1)-4
tn = 51 4n + 4
tn = -4n + 55
Then find n of last
term
3 = 55 4n
-52 = -4n
13 = n

13

i=1

4n + 55

a=1

r=21=2

First find nth

(n 1)
tterm
n = a r
tn = 1 2(n 1)
Then find n of last
(n 1)
tterm
n = 1 2
1024 = 1 2(n 1)
1024 = 2(n 1)
(n 1)
log(1024)
= log2
log(1024) =
(n 1) log(2)
log(1024) log(2) = (n 1)
10 = n 1
n = 11
11

i=1

n1

12

Recursive Definition
- When the first term t1 is given
- The formula tells us how to get the next term tn +1 from
the term before tn
e.g. t1 = 4, tn + 1 = 3tn 2. Write down the first four terms of the
sequence
t1 = 4
t2 = t1 + 1
t3 = t2 + 1
t4 = t3 + 1
t2 = 3t1 2
t3 = 3t2 2
t4 = 3t3 2
t2 = 34
t3 = 310
t4 = 328
t22 = 10
t23 = 28
t24 = 82
e.g. t1 = -1, tn + 1 = 2(tn)2 + 5. Write down the first four terms of the
sequence.
t1 =
t2 = t1 + 1
t3 = t2 + 1
t4 = t3 + 1
t2 = 2(t1)2 +
t3 = 2(t2)2 +
t4 = 2(t3)2 +
-1
t52 = 2(-1)2
t53 = 2(7)2 +
t54 = 2(103)2
t+2 =
t53 = 103
t+4 =
5 7
5 21223

e.g. t1 = 2, t2 = 5, and tn + 1 = tn 2tn 1.

terms
t1Write
= 2 downt2the
= 5first four
t3 =
t2 + 1 of the sequence
t4 = t3 + 1
t3 = t2
t4 = t3
t2t
= 5 22
t2t
= 1 25
3 1
4 2
t3 = 1
t4 = -9

REAL LIFE EXAMPLES

OF
GEOMETRIC
SEQUENCES

Compound Interest
- Where interest is paid on interest.
- A formula that can be used is:

A = new
P = original principal
principal
n
A = P 1 + r r = interest rate
n = number of years
100

e.g.
a) After investing for 10 years at an interest rate of 8% a
person has a total of $45000. What was their initial
10
investment?

8
A=
r=8
45000 = P 1 +

100

45000
n
=
P=?
10
P = $2084371
0
4
=P1
2
b) After investing $15000 for 12 years, the value of the
investment is $26000. What was the annual compound
12
interest
rate?

r
A=
r=?
26000 = 15000 1 +
1047 = 1 + r

100

100
26000
n
=
P = 15000
12
12
173 = 1 + r
0047 = r
100

100
12
173 = 1 + r
r = 47%
100

Inflation
- Where the value of an item increases.
- A formula that can be used is:

In = Increased price
On = Old price
n
In = On 1 + r r = inflation rate
n = number of years
100

e.g.
a) An antique chest initially purchased for $16000 appreciates
at a rate of 8.2% per year. What is its value in 10 years time?
10

82
I=?
r = 8.2
In = $3518784
In = 16000 1 +

100

n=
O=
16000
b)10A piece
of land originally brought for $10000 has been
valued at $85000. If the rate of inflation was 24%, how many
years ago was it purchased?
n
I = 85000 r = 24 85000 = 10000 1 + 24

100

n = ? O = 10000
n
85 = (124)
g
l (8
5 )g
l (1
2 )=n
n
log(85) = log(124)
n = 995 years
log(85) = nlog(124)

Depreciation
- Where the value of an item decreases. Dn = Decreased
- A formula that can be used is:
On = Old price
n price
Dn = On 1 r r = depreciation rate
n = number of years
100

e.g.
a) A laptop was originally purchased for $3500 and
depreciates at a rate of 26% per annum. What is its value in 3
3
years time?

26
D = ? r = 26
Dn = $141828
Dn = 3500 1

100

n = 3 O = 3500
b) A car was purchased in 1998 for $5900. In 2002 its value
was $500. What has been the yearly percentage loss in value?
D = 500 r = ?
n = 4 O = 5900
4

r
500 = 5900 1

100

r
0085 = 1

100

0085 = 1 r
100

0540 = 1 r
100
-046 = r
100
-46 = r
r = 46%

Radioactive Decay
- Depends on how much of substance is initially present.
- How life = length of time it takes material to reduce to
half its previous value.
Dn = Amount left
- A formula that can be used is:
n On = Original
= rate of decay
Dn = On 1 r ramount
100

n = number of years
e.g. A radioactive substance has a half life of 26 years. If we
initially start with 500 g
a) What is the rate of decay of the substance?
26

r
D = 250 r = ?
250 = 500 1
0974 = 1 r

100

100
n=
O = 500
26
r

r
26
-0026
=

05 = 1

100
100

26
-26 = r
05 = 1 r
100
r = 26%

b) How much of the substance is left after 20 years?

20

26
Dn = 500 1

100

D = ? r = 2.6
Dn = 29337 g
n=
O = 500
20
c) How many years does it take for the substance to decay
down to 150 g?
D = 150 r = 2.6
n = ? O = 500

26
150 = 500 1

100

03 = (0974)
n
log(03) = log(0974)
log(03) = nlog(0974)

g
l (0
3 )g
l (0
4
9

)=n

n = 4516 years