Algebra 1

Section 8.2

Arithmetic Sequences
Defining an Arithmetic Sequence

As discussed in 8.1, sequences can be defined arithmetically or recursively. An arithmetic se-

quence is a specific kind of sequence that can be defined explicitly according to the following form.

Sn = dn + S0

Where S0 is a certain value not in the sequence. If this formula looks similar to point-slope
form for a linear function, that is because arithmetic sequences can be thought of as a linear function
with a restricted domain containing a subset of the positive integers (or all of the positive integers
for an infinite sequence). The successive terms of an arithmetic sequence change by a constant amount.

This means that an arithmetic sequence can be graphed as a discrete set of points that, if con-
nected, would form a line.

The d in the formula for an arithmetic sequence is the analog of a slope for a linear function. In
an arithmetic sequence, it is called the common difference of the sequence. This is the difference of
two subsequent terms in an arithmetic sequence. That is, Sn Sn1 = d for any integer n less than
or equal to the number of terms in the sequence and greater than 0.

Then S0 in the formula for an arithmetic sequence is the analog of the y-intercept for a linear
function. It is the common difference of the sequence subtracted from the first term in the sequence.
That is, S0 = S1 d. Note that S0 does not actually appear in an arithmetic sequence, and it is
sometimes not given. If the first term in the sequence, S1 , is given, the following equivalent formula
for an arithmetic sequence can be used.

Sn = d(n 1) + S1

For example, a question might ask for a formula of a sequence with a common difference of 3
where the 6th term is 20. Then, simply use the formula for an arithmetic sequence with n = 6 and
d = 3 to find S0 .

Sn = dn + S0

S6 = 3(6) + S0

20 = 18 + S0

S0 = 20 18 = 2

Sn = 3n + 2

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 The definition for an arithmetic sequence can also be determined from two terms in the se-
quence. For example, if one knows S2 = 5 and S5 = 11, then the average difference between terms is
115 6
52 = 3 = 2.

Then, to find S0 , use the formula for an arithmetic sequence with either n = 2 or n = 5.

Sn = dn + S0

S2 = 2(2) + S0

5 = 4 + S0

S0 = 5 4 = 1

Sn = 2n + 1

These two terms can be given in a sequence, stated in a sentence (like the above example), shown
in a graph, or listed in a table. Regardless of the method in which the terms are given, as long as their
position and value are known, the same procedure shown above can be used to determine the formula
for the arithmetic sequence.

Finally, below are some examples of arithmetic sequences.

S = {2, 5, 8, 11, 14}

P = {3, 1, 1, 3}

Notice that for P , d = 2. This is possible, and it merely means that the terms of the sequence
decrease rather than increase.

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Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Write the function f (x) = 2x 4 as an infinite sequence S where Sn = f (n).

2. Write an explicit rule for the sequence S below.

S = {1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 14}

3. Write the first 4 terms of the infinite sequence S given by the explicit rule Sn = 3n + 1.

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Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. The first term of S is S1 , and Sn = f (n) so S1 = f (1) = 2(1) 4 = 2. Then, each successive
term is two more than the previous term. An explicit rule for S is Sn = 2n 4 and the first few
terms of the infinite sequence are given below.

S = {2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, ...}

2. The common difference of the sequence is 3. S1 = 1, so S0 = 1 3 = 4. Thus, an explicit

rule for S is Sn = 3n 4.

3. Simply plug in n = 1, 2, 3, 4... into the formula for Sn .

S = {4, 7, 10, 13, ...}