Arithmetic Sequences

Honors Precalculus

Arithmetic Sequence

A sequence in which each pair of consecutive

terms has a common difference

This common difference is often represented as d

Ex: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22

Ex: 3, 1.2, -0.6, -2.4, -4.2 (d = -1.8)

(d = 3)

Recursive Definition

Consider the sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22

(d = 3)

Can you come up with a recursive definition for

this sequence?

Recursive Definition

Consider the sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22

(d = 3)

Can you come up with a recursive definition for

this sequence?

a1 = 4
an = an1 + 3

Recursive Definition

Now consider a generalized arithmetic sequence:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6

We could also write this sequence as a1, a1+d,

a1+2d, a1+3d, a1+4d

Can you come up with a recursive definition for this

generalized arithmetic sequence?

Recursive Definition

Now consider a generalized arithmetic sequence:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6

We could also write this sequence as a1, a1+d,

a1+2d, a1+3d, a1+4d

Can you come up with a recursive definition for this

generalized arithmetic sequence?

a1 = a1
an = an1 + d

Explicit Definition

Consider the sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22

(d = 3)

Can you come up with an explicit definition for

this sequence?

Explicit Definition

Consider the sequence: 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22

(d = 3)

Can you come up with an explicit definition for

this sequence?

an = 4 + 3(n 1)
In order to get to term number n, start with the first term (4) and add 3 repeatedly,
once for each step you need to take to get to the nth term (there are n-1 steps).

Alternate Notation

The explicit definition is sometimes written using

set notation (you will see this in your textbook, in
particular). The following notations are equivalent:

an = 4 + 3(n 1)

{4 + 3(n 1)}

Explicit Definition

Now consider a generalized arithmetic sequence:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6

We could also write this sequence as a1, a1+d,

a1+2d, a1+3d, a1+4d

Can you come up with an explicit definition for

this generalized arithmetic sequence?

Explicit Definition

Now consider a generalized arithmetic sequence:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6

We could also write this sequence as a1, a1+d,

a1+2d, a1+3d, a1+4d

Can you come up with an explicit definition for

this generalized arithmetic sequence?

an = a1 + d(n 1)
In order to get to term number n, start with the first term (a1) and add d repeatedly,
once for each step you need to take to get to the nth term (there are n-1 steps).

Practice:

Find both a recursive and explicit definition for

each arithmetic sequence.

A: -12, -5, 2, 9, 16

B: 83, 31, -21

Practice:

Find both a recursive and explicit definition for

each arithmetic sequence.

A: -12, -5, 2, 9, 16
a1 = 12
an = an1 + 7

an = 12 + 7(n 1)

B: 83, 31, -21

b1 = 83
bn = bn1 52

bn = 83 52(n 1)