Arithmetic Sequence
Arithmetic Sequence
Arithmetic Sequence
Let us just talk about what is arithmetic sequence. Arithmetic sequence is a sequence wherein
every two consecutive terms has a common difference. Every next term is the previous term plus
the common difference.
EXAMPLE #1:
The sequence 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, 35 is an arithmetic sequence. Why? because the difference
between every two consecutive terms are equal
11-5 = 6
17-11 = 6
23-17 = 6
29-23 = 6
35-23 = 6
Thus, they form an arithmetic sequence with 6 as a common difference.
EXAMPLE #2:
The sequence 6, 9, 13, 18 is not an arithmetic sequence. Why? because they do not have a
common difference
9-6 = 3
13-9 = 4
18-13 = 5
The difference between every two consecutive terms are not equal, thus, not an arithmetic
sequence
Common difference = (a_n - a_m) / (n - m), where n>m (it could also work if m>n, but for
simplicity and clarity, let's just set n>m)
EXAMPLE #1:
If the first term (or a_1) is 6, and the second term (or a_2) is 9, what is the common difference?
SOLUTION:
a_m = 6
a_n = 9
m=1
n=2
d = (a_n - a_m) / (n - m)
d = (9 - 6) / (2 - 1)
d=3
Thus, common difference = 3
EXAMPLE #2:
If the third term (or a_3) is -4 and the 8th term (or a_8) is 51, what is the common difference?
SOLUTION:
a_m = -4
a_n = 51
m=3
n=8
d = (a_n - a_m) / (n - m)
d = [51 - (-4)] / (8 - 3)
d = 55/5
d = 11
Thus, common difference = 11
CHECKING:
a_3 = -4
a_4 = -4 + 11 = 7
a_5 = 7 + 11 = 18
a_6 = 18 + 11 = 29
a_7 = 29 + 11 = 40
a_8 = 40 + 11 = 51
As desired, a_8 turns out to be 51
EXAMPLE #3:
If the second term (or a_2) is 14 and the fifth term (or a_5) is -1, what is the common difference?
SOLUTION:
a_m = 14
a_n = -1
m=2
n=5
d = (a_n - a_m) / (n - m)
d = [-1 - 14] / (5 - 2)
d = -15/3
d = -5
Thus, common difference = -5
CHECKING:
a_2 = 14
a_3 = 14-5 = 9
a_4 = 9-5 = 4
a_5 = 4-5 = -1
As desired, a_5 turns out to be -1
EXAMPLE #1
If the first term (or a_1) is -4 and the common difference is 2, what is the fourth term (or a_4)?
SOLUTION:
Here, the first term is given, so just use the latter formula
a_n = a_1 + d(n-1)
a_1 = -4
n=4
d=2
CHECKING:
a_1 = -4
a_2 = -4+2 = -2
a_3 = -2+2 = 0
a_4 = 0+2 = 2
As desired, a_4 turns out to be 2
EXAMPLE #2:
If the seventh term (or a_7) is -35 and the common difference is 9, what is the tenth term (or
a_10)?
SOLUTION:
Since the first term is not given, we will use the first formula
a_n = a_m + d(n-m)
a_m = -35
n = 10
m=7
d=9
CHECKING:
a_7 = -35
a_8 = -35+9 = -26
a_9 = -26+9 = -17
a_10 = -17+9 = -8
As desired, a_10 turns out to be -8
EXAMPLE #3:
If the eleventh term (or a_11) is 1 and the common difference is -4, what is the eighth term (or
a_8)?
SOLUTION:
Since the first term is not given, we will use the first formula
a_n = a_m + d(n-m)
a_m = 1
n=8
m = 11
d = -4
a_8 = 1 + -4(8-11)
a_8 = 1 + -4(-3)
a_8 = 1 + 12
a_8 = 13
CHECKING:
a_11 = 1
a_10 = 1-(-4) = 5
a_9 = 5-(-4) = 9
a_8 = 9-(-4) = 13
As desired, a_8 turns out to be 13
NOTE: We will DEDUCT in example #3 because the asked term is the eighth term (or a_8), and
the given is the eleventh term (or a_11). 8th term will come first before 11th term that's why we
have to deduct.
EXAMPLE #1:
Find the sum of the first five terms whose first term (or a_1) is 6 and the fifth term is 18.
SOLUTION:
a_1 = 6
a_n = 18
n=5
CHECKING:
The common difference or "d", as we had already learned above, is 3.
a_1 = 6
a_2 = 6+3 = 9
a_3 = 9+3 = 12
a_4 = 12+3 = 15
a_5 = 15+3 = 18 (as desired)
Summation from a_1 to a_5
6+9+12+15+18 = 60
As desired, the sum of the first five terms is