Name

MIKO RAMOS
Gr/Section : 10 Daniel
Teacher : Sir. Josh Lumogdang III
Arithmetic Sequences Problems with Solutions
Problem 1:
The first term of an arithmetic sequence is equal to 6 and the common difference is equal to 3. Find a
formula for the n th term and the value of the 50 th term
Solution to Problem 1:

Use the value of the common difference d = 3 and the first term a 1 = 6 in the formula for the n
th term given above
an = a1 + (n - 1 )d
= 6 + 3 (n - 1)
=3n+3

The 50 th term is found by setting n = 50 in the above formula.

a50 = 3 (50) + 3 = 153

Problem 2:
The first term of an arithmetic sequence is equal to 200 and the common difference is equal to
-10. Find the value of the 20 th term
Solution to Problem 2:

Use the value of the common difference d = -10 and the first term a 1 = 200 in the formula for
the n th term given above and then apply it to the 20 th term
a20 = 200 + (-10) (20 - 1 ) = 10
Solution to Problem 3:

We use the n th term formula for the 6 th term, which is known, to write
a6 = 52 = a1 + 10 (6 - 1 )

The above equation allows us to calculate a1.

a1 = 2

Now that we know the first term and the common difference, we use the n th term formula to
find the 15 th term as follows.
a15 = 2 + 10 (15 - 1) = 142

Problem 4:
An arithmetic sequence has a its 5 th term equal to 22 and its 15 th term equal to 62. Find its 100 th term.
Solution to Problem 4:

We use the n th term formula for the 5 th and 15 th terms to write

a5 = a1 + (5 - 1 ) d = 22
a15 = a1 + (15 - 1 ) d = 62

We obtain a system of 2 linear equations where the unknown are a 1 and d. Subtract the right
and left term of the two equations to obtain
62 - 22 = 14 d - 4 d

Solve for d.
d=4

Now use the value of d in one of the equations to find a 1.

a1 + (5 - 1 ) 4 = 22

Solve for a1 to obtain.

a1 = 6

Now that we have calculated a1 and d we use them in the n th term formula to find the 100 th
formula.

a100 = 6 + 4 (100 - 1 )= 402

Problem 5:
Find the sum of all the integers from 1 to 1000.
Solution to Problem 5:

The sequence of integers starting from 1 to 1000 is given by

1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , ... , 1000

The above sequence has 1000 terms. The first term is 1 and the last term is 1000 and the
common difference is equal to 1. We have the formula that gives the sum of the first n terms of
an arithmetic sequence knowing the first and last term of the sequence and the number of
terms (see formula above).

s1000 = 1000 (1 + 1000) / 2 = 500500

Arithmetic Mean
1. The heights of five runners are 160 cm, 137 cm, 149 cm, 153 cm and 161 cm respectively. Find the
mean height per runner.
Solution:
Mean height = Sum of the heights of the runners/number of runners
= (160 + 137 + 149 + 153 + 161)/5 cm
= 760/5 cm
= 152 cm.
Hence, the mean height is 152 cm.
2. Find the mean of the first five prime numbers.
Solution:
The first five prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11.
Mean = Sum of the first five prime numbers/number of prime numbers
= (2 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 11)/5
= 28/5
= 5.6
Hence, their mean is 5.6
3. Find the mean of the first six multiples of 4.
Solution:
The first six multiples of 4 are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24.
Mean = Sum of the first six multiples of 4/number of multiples
= (4 + 8 + 12 + 16 + 20 + 24)/6
= 84/6
= 14.

Hence, their mean is 14.

4. Find the arithmetic mean of the first 7 natural numbers.
Solution:
The first 7 natural numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Let x denote their arithmetic mean.
Then mean = Sum of the first 7 natural numbers/number of natural numbers
x = (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7)/7
= 28/7
=4
Hence, their mean is 4.
5. If the mean of 9, 8, 10, x, 12 is 15, find the value of x.
Solution:
Mean of the given numbers = (9 + 8 + 10 + x + 12)/5 = (39 + x)/5
According to the problem, mean = 15 (given).
Therefore, (39 + x)/5 = 15
39 + x = 15 5
39 + x = 75
39 - 39 + x = 75 - 39
x = 36
Hence, x = 36.

ARITHMETIC SERIES
Example 1
Find the 7th partial sum of the sequence {an} = -9 + 3(n 1).

We're gonna need the first term and common difference. Where you at, fellas?
a1 = -9
d=3
Now find the 7th term of the sequence using the explicit rule provided.
{an} = -9 + 3(n 1)
a7 = -9 + 3(7 1)
a7 = -9 + 3(6)
a7 = -9 + 18
a7 = 9

Plug the first term, 7th term, and n into the partial sum formula.

Simplify that bad boy.

Whoa, our sum is just 0. All the negative terms and positive terms canceled each other out perfectly.
Example 2
Find the 14th partial sum of the sequence {an} = -4n + 20.

All we need to do to evaluate this partial sum is to find the number of terms as well as the first and
last terms. Let's start by listing the first few terms to find the first term and common difference, d.
a1 = -4(1) + 20 = 16
a2 = -4(2) + 20 = 12
a3 = -4(3) + 20 = 8
Rock on. Our first term is a1 = 16, and since we're subtracting 4 from each term, the common
difference is d = -4.
Now we use the given rule to find the 14th term by plugging 14 in for n.
a14 = -4(14) + 20
a14 = -36
Sum time. Use the formula for the partial sum of an arithmetic series.

Now plug everything in and simplify to find your final solution.

Example 3
Find the sum of -6, 0, 6,, 66, 72.

As usual, we'll need the first term, last term, and common difference.
a1 = -6
an = 72
d=6
Plug these dudes into the explicit rule for the sequence and solve for n, the number of terms in the
sequence.
72
78
84
14

=
=
=
=

-6 + 6(n 1)
6n 6
6n
n

Cool, so we've got 14 terms in our sequence. Now bust out the partial sum formula.

Plug in a1 = -6, an = 72, and n = 14.

Example 4

Find the sum of 1 + 5 + 9 + ... + 49 + 53.

Checking the terms, I can see that this is indeed an arithmetic series: 5 1 = 4, 9 5 = 4, 53
49 = 4. I've got the first and last terms, but how many terms are there in total?
I have the n-th term formula, "an = a1 + (n 1)d", and I have a1 = 1 and d = 4. Plugging these
into the formula, I can figure out how many terms there are:
an = a1 + (n 1)d
53 = 1 + (n 1)(4)
53 = 1 + 4n 4
53 = 4n 3
56 = 4n
14 = n
So there are 14 terms in this series. Now I have all the information I need:
1 + 5 + 9 + ... + 49 + 53 = (14/2)(1 + 53) = (7)(54) = 378
Example 5

Find the 35th partial sum of an = (1/2)n + 1

The 35th partial sum of this sequence is the sum of the first thirty-five terms. The first few
terms of the sequence are:

a1 = (1/2)(1) + 1 = 3/2
a2 = (1/2)(2) + 1 = 2
a3 = (1/2)(3) + 1 = 5/2
The terms have a common difference d = 1/2, so this is indeed an arithmetic sequence. The
last term in the partial sum will be a35 = a1 + (35 1)(d) = 3/2 + (34)(1/2) = 37/2. Then,
plugging into the formula, the 35th partial sum is:
(n/2)(a1 + an) = (35/2)(3/2 + 37/2) = (35/2)(40/2) = 350

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES
What's the common ratio for the sequence

The common ratio is the number multiplied to get the next term.

Solve this equation for r to find the common ratio. Multiply both sides by , the same as dividing by
2.

Now get r all by its lonesome.

Example 2
List the first four terms and the 10th term of a geometric sequence with a first term of 3 and a
common ratio of .

Our first term is 3, so a1 = 3. Multiply the first term by the common ratio, , to get the second term.

Continue this process like a boss to find the third and fourth terms.

We need to find a rule for the sequence. Use the general form and plug in our first term and common
ratio.
an = a1(r)n 1

Substitute 10 for n in order to find the 10th term.

So our sequence looks a little somethin' somethin' like this:

Example 3
How many terms exist in the sequence 1, 2, 4, , 131,072?

Crank out the common ratio, first term, and last term of the sequence.
r=2
a1 = 1
an = 131,072
Use the information you've gathered and the general rule of a geometric sequence to create an
equation with one variable, n. That's our total number of terms.
an = a1(r)n 1
131,072 = 1(2)n 1
Solve the equation you've created for n.
131,072 = (2)n 1
Rewrite the equation as a logarithm with a base of 2 to solve for nusing a calculator.
log2(131,072) = n 1
17 = n 1
n = 18
Guess and check works as well if you're not into the whole logarithm scene.
2n 1 = ?
216 1 = 215 = 32,768
217 1 = 216 = 65,536
218 1 = 217 = 131,072
n = 18
Either way, it turns out we've got 18 terms in the sequence.

GEOMETRIC SERIES
Example 1

Find the sum of the infinite geometric series given by:

Before we do anything, we'd better make sure our series is convergent. Otherwise, we can't find an
infinite sum at all. What's our common ratio?

Yep, |r| < 1 so the series converges. Now we can nab our infinite geometric series formula.

Substitute for a1 and r in the formula and watch the magic unfold.

S = 4.5
Example 2

Find the sixth partial sum of the geometric series given by:

Use the formula for the partial sum of a geometric series. You've got it printed out on a little card in
your wallet, right?

Substitute the values you know into the formula.

Now slog through the actual math and simplify everything as much as you can.

Example 3

Find the sum:

Use the formula for the partial sum of a geometric series. It's our best bud.

Now pop in the first term (a1) and the common ratio (r). Use n = 3, since we're after the 3rd partial
sum.

Rock those fractions.

Geometric Mean
Example: What is the Geometric Mean of 1,3,9,27 and 81?

First we multiply them: 1 3 9 27 81 = 59049

Then (as there are 5 numbers) take the 5th root: 559049 = 9

In one line:
Geometric Mean = 5(1 3 9 27 81) = 9
I can't show you a nice picture of this, but it is still true that:
1 3 9 27 81 = 9 9 9 9 9

Infinite Geometric
Infinite Geometric Series
An infinite geometric series is the sum of an infinite geometric sequence. This series would have no
last term. The general form of the infinite geometric series
is a1+a1r+a1r2+a1r3+...a1+a1r+a1r2+a1r3+... , where a1a1 is the first term and rr is the common
ratio.
We can find the sum of all finite geometric series. But in the case of an infinite geometric series when
thecommon ratio is greater than one, the terms in the sequence will get larger and larger and if you
add the larger numbers, you won't get a final answer. The only possible answer would be infinity. So,
we don't deal with the common ratio greater than one for an infinite geometric series.
If the common ratio rr lies between 11 to 11, we can have the sum of an infinite geometric series.
That is, the sum exits for |r|<1|r|<1.
The sum SS of an infinite geometric series with 1<r<11<r<1 is given by the formula,
S=a11rS=a11r
An infinite series that has a sum is called a convergent series and the sum SnSn is called the partial
sum of the series.
You can use sigma notation to represent an infinite series.
For example,

n=110(12)n1n=110(12)n1 is an infinite series. The infinity symbol that placed above the
sigma notation indicates that the series is infinite.

To find the sum of the above infinite geometric series, first check if the sum exists by using the value
of rr.
Here the value of rr is 1212. Since 12<1|12|<1, the sum exits.
Now use the formula for the sum of an infinite geometric series.
S=a11rS=a11r
Substitute 1010 for a1a1 and 1212 for rr.
S=10112S=10112
Simplify.
S=10(12)=20

Example 2
Find the sum of the infinite geometric series
27+18+12+8+...27+18+12+8+....
First find rr:
r=a2a1=1827=23r=a2a1=1827=23
Then find the sum:
S=a11rS=27123=81
Example 7:
Find the sum of the infinite geometric series
8+12+18+27+...8+12+18+27+... if it exists.
First find rr:
r=a2a1=128=32r=a2a1=128=32
Since r=32r=32 is not less than one, the series does not converge. That is, it has no sum.

Finite Geometric
Example 1:
Find the sum of the first 88 terms of the geometric series if a1=1a1=1 and r=2r=2.
S8=1(128)12=255

Example 2:
Find S10S10, the tenth partial sum of the infinite geometric series24+12+6+...24+12+6+....
First, find rr.
r=a2a1=1224=12r=a2a1=1224=12

Now, find the sum:

S10=24(1(12)10)112=306964

Example 3:
Evaluate.
n=1103(2)n1n=1103(2)n1
(You are finding S10S10 for the series 36+1224+...36+1224+..., whose common ratio
is 22.)
Sn=a1(1rn)1rS10=3[1(2)10]1(2)=3(11024)3=102

Sum of a geometric series

Example 1: Sum of a geometric series
Question
Calculate:
k=1632(12)k1k=1632(12)k1
Answer
Write down the first three terms of the series
k=1;T1k=2;T2k=3;T3=32(12)0=32=32(12)21=16=32(12)31=8k=1;T1=32(12)0=32k=2;T
2=32(12)21=16k=3;T3=32(12)31=8
We have generated the series 32+16+8+32+16+8+
Determine the values of aa and rr
ar=T1=32=T2T1=T3T2=12a=T1=32r=T2T1=T3T2=12
Use the general formula to find the sum of the series
SnS6=a(1rn)1r=32(1(12)6)112=32(1164)12=232(6364)=64(6364)=63Sn=a(1rn)1
rS6=32(1(12)6)112=32(1164)12=232(6364)=64(6364)=63
Write the final answer
k=1632(12)k1=63

Example 2: Sum of a geometric series

Question
Given a geometric series with T1=4T1=4 and T4=32T4=32. Determine the values of rr and nn if
n=84Sn=84.
Answer
Determine the values of aa and rr

aT44r3r3r=T1=4=ar3=32=32=8=2a=T1=4T4=ar3=324r3=32r3=8r=2
Therefore the geometric series is 4+816+324+816+32 Notice that the signs of the terms
alternate because r<0r<0.
We write the general term for this series as Tn=4(2)n1Tn=4(2)n1.
Use the general formula for the sum of a geometric series to determine the value of nn
Sn8484348463(2)n(2)nn=a(1rn)1r=4(1(2)n)1(2)=4(1(2)n)3=1
(2)n=1(2)n=64=(2)6=6Sn=a(1rn)1r84=4(1(2)n)1(2)84=4(1
(2)n)33484=1(2)n63=1(2)n(2)n=64(2)n=(2)6n=6
Write the final answer
r=2 and n=6
Example 3: Sum of a geometric series
Question
Use the general formula for the sum of a geometric series to determine kk if
n=18k(12)n=25564n=18k(12)n=25564
Answer
Write down the first three terms of the series
n=1;T1n=2;T2n=3;T3=k(12)1=12k=k(12)2=14k=k(12)3=18kn=1;T1=k(12)1=12kn=2;T2=k(
12)2=14kn=3;T3=k(12)3=18k
We have generated the series 12k+14k+18k+12k+14k+18k+
We can take out the common factor kk and write the series as: k(12+14+18+)k(12+14+18+)
kn=18(12)n=25564kn=18(12)n=25564
Determine the values of aa and rr
ar=T1=12=T2T1=T3T2=12a=T1=12r=T2T1=T3T2=12
Calculate the sum of the first eight terms of the geometric series
SnS8n=18(12)n=a(1rn)1r=12(1(12)8)112=12(1(12)8)12=11256=255256=2552
56Sn=a(1rn)1rS8=12(1(12)8)112=12(1(12)8)12=11256=255256n=18(12)n=255256
So then we can write:
kn=18(12)nk(255256)k=25564=25564=25564256255=25664=4kn=18(12)n=25564k(2
55256)=25564k=25564256255=25664=4
Write the final answer
k=4
Example 4

Given the geometric sequence 1;3;9;1;3;9; determine:

1. The 8 term of the sequence.
2. The sum of the first eight terms of the sequence.
Answer 2:
1.

arTnT8=1=T2T1=3=arn1=(1)(3)81=(1)

(3)7=2187a=1r=T2T1=3Tn=arn1T8=(1)(3)81=(1)(3)7=2187
2.

SnS8=a(1rn)1r=(1)(1(3)8)1(3)=165614=65604=1640Sn=a(1rn)1rS8=(1)
(1(3)8)1(3)=165614=65604=1640