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  • Arithmetic Sequence

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    Prince Kenneth Mateo
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    This document provides a tutorial on arithmetic sequences. It defines an arithmetic sequence as a sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant. It gives examples of arithmetic and non-arithmetic sequences. The tutorial then explains how to find the common difference, the nth term, the sum of the first n terms, and the sum between two terms of an arithmetic sequence. Formulas and step-by-step worked examples are provided for each concept.

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    This document provides a tutorial on arithmetic sequences. It defines an arithmetic sequence as a sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant. It gives examples of arithmetic and non-arithmetic sequences. The tutorial then explains how to find the common difference, the nth term, the sum of the first n terms, and the sum between two terms of an arithmetic sequence. Formulas and step-by-step worked examples are provided for each concept.

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    50 views6 pages

    Arithmetic Sequence

    Uploaded by

    Prince Kenneth Mateo
    This document provides a tutorial on arithmetic sequences. It defines an arithmetic sequence as a sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant. It gives examples of arithmetic and non-arithmetic sequences. The tutorial then explains how to find the common difference, the nth term, the sum of the first n terms, and the sum between two terms of an arithmetic sequence. Formulas and step-by-step worked examples are provided for each concept.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 6

    TUTORIAL: ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

    (Especially for Grade 10 students)

    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

    In this tutorial, we will teach you how to:


    1.) Find the common difference
    2.) Find the a_n or nth term
    3.) Find the sum of the first n terms
    4.) Find the sum from "mth term" (or a_m) up to "nth term" (or a_n)
    5.) Insert one or more arithmetic mean/s

    First, we will use these following variables to represent some terminologies


    a_1 = "a sub 1" or 1st term
    a_n = "a sub n" or nth term
    d = common difference
    s_n = sum of the first n terms

    *****HOW TO FIND THE COMMON DIFFERENCE?*****


    Common difference is the DIFFERENCE between two consecutive terms

    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

    *****HOW TO FIND a_n or "nth term"?*****


    To find the a_n or "nth term"
    a_n = a_m + d(n-m)
    Here, not necessarily that n>m. a_n must be the term that is asked in the problem and a_m must be
    the given.

    Most textbooks use the formula:


    a_n = a_1 + d(n-1) or a_n = a_1 + (n-1)d
    because most of the examples and exercises, the first term (or a_1) is given. Don't be confused,
    this is the same with the previous formula provided you properly substituted all the givens. If the
    first term (or a_1) is given, use the latter formula. If not, use the former.

    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

    a_n = a_1 + d(n-1)


    a_4 = -4 + 2(4-1)
    a_4 = -4 + 2(3)
    a_4 = -4 + 6
    a_4 = 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

    a_10 = -35 + 9(10-7)


    a_10 = -35 + 9(3)
    a_10 = -35 + 27
    a_10 = -8

    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.

    *****HOW TO FIND THE SUM OF THE FIRST "n" TERMS?*****


    The general formula is:
    s_n = (a_1 + a_n)(n/2)

    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

    s_5 = (a_1 + a_n)(n/2)


    s_5 = (6 + 18)(5/2)
    s_5 = 24(5/2)
    s_5 = 60

    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

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