Progressions,

Sequences & Series

Part I – Arithmetic Progression & Geometric Progression

Types of Questions

• Proving that the progression is an AP/GP

• For AP, finding first term (𝑢# ), common difference (𝑑), 𝑛'( term (𝑢) ), and sum of
terms (𝑠) )
• For GP, finding first term (𝑢# ), common ratio (𝑟), 𝑛'( term (𝑢) ), sum of terms
(𝑠) ) and sum to infinity (𝑠, )
• Solving questions involving compound interest with/without withdrawals
• Hybrid questions (multiple/combinations of AP and GP)

Characteristics of AP

1. 𝑢) = 𝑢# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
) ) )
2. 𝑠) = 1 (𝑢# + 𝑢) ) = 1 (𝑢# + 𝑢# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) = 1 (2𝑢# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
3. 𝑢) − 𝑢)3# = 𝑑

Characteristics of GP (the initial term 𝑢# is often denoted as 𝑎.)

1. 𝑢) = 𝑎𝑟 ()3#)
5(6 7 3#) 5(#36 7 )
2. 𝑠) = 63#
, 𝑟 > 1 or #36
, 𝑟 < 1
;7
3. ;7<=
= 𝑑
5
4. 𝑠, = #36 , |𝑟| < 1 (convergent GP)
GP is divergent when |𝑟| > 1 and convergent when |𝑟| < 1

General Tips for AP/GP Questions

1. If the question says the variable changes by adding or subtracting certain

number(s), it is most likely an AP.
2. If the question says the variable changes by a certain percentage or multiple, it is
most likely an GP.
3. List out the first few terms to observe the pattern.
4. If the question says the variable has 2 alternating changes, rewrite it into 2
separate progressions.
Part II – Sequences & Series

Types of Questions

• Using sigma notation to simplify expression of a series

• Evaluating sum of a finite series
• Deducing sum of infinity for convergent series
• Proving one series is greater/lesser than another series

Sigma Notation
)

? 𝑢6 = 𝑢# + 𝑢1 + ⋯ + 𝑢)
6@#

? 𝑢6 = 𝑢# + 𝑢1 + ⋯
6@#

Writing a series in sigma notation:

1. Find an expression for the general term

2. Find the starting number for the first term
3. Find the last number for the final term

Example: 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + ⋯ + 128

1. General term = 26
2. First term = 2 = 2# ∴ 𝑟 = 1
3. Final term = 128 = 2G ∴ 𝑟 = 7
Hence, 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + ⋯ + 128
G

= ? 26
6@#

Note:

There is more than one way to express a series in sigma notation form. We can change
the general term, first and last term to fit the series.

• Example, 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + ⋯ + 128 can be expressed as ∑K6@L 26J# or ∑M6@1 263# .

We observe that replacing 𝑟 with 𝑟 + 1 decreasing both first and last term by 1,
replacing 𝑟 with 𝑟 − 1 increasing both first and last term by 1.

Being able to manipulate sigma notation as such is crucial to solving certain
questions.

Useful Properties of Sigma Rotation
) ) O3#

1. ? 𝑢6 = ? 𝑢6 − ? 𝑢6 , 𝑛 ≥ 𝑚
6@O 6@# 6@#

) )

2. ? 𝑘𝑢6 = 𝑘 ? 𝑢6 , 𝑘 is a constant
6@# 6@#

) ) )

3. ?(𝑢6 ± 𝑣6 ) = ? 𝑢6 ± ? 𝑣6
6@# 6@# 6@#

4. ? 𝑘 = 𝑘 + 𝑘 + ⋯ + 𝑘 = 𝑘𝑛 , 𝑘 is a constant
6@#

5. ? 𝑘 = (𝑛 − 𝑚 + 1)𝑘 , 𝑘 is a constant
6@O

)
𝑛
6. ? 𝑟 = 1 + 2 + ⋯ + 𝑛 = (𝑛 + 1)
2
6@#

)
𝑛
7. ? 𝑟 1 = (𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1)
6
6@#

) 1
^
𝑛
8. ? 𝑟 = _ (𝑛 + 1)`
2
6@#

The last two will be provided in the question if needed.

Method of Difference

This is a neat trick that you can use whenever you can rewrite your general term into 2
separate terms that are close to each other. This method is also used when you are
expected to simplify a whole series of terms into just a few terms.

𝑢6 = 𝑓(𝑟 + 1) − 𝑓(𝑟)

) )

? 𝑢6 = ? 𝑓(𝑟 + 1) − 𝑓(𝑟)
6@# 6@O

= 𝑓(2) − 𝑓(1)

+ 𝑓(3) − 𝑓(2)

+ ⋯

+ 𝑓(𝑛) − 𝑓(𝑛 − 1)

+ 𝑓(𝑛 + 1) − 𝑓(𝑛)

= 𝑓(𝑛 + 1) − 𝑓(1)

Determining converging/diverging sequences

Method 1: Using GC

1. Press ‘Alpha’, ‘Window’ and choose ‘Summation’

2. Key in the variables for the sigma notation
3. Press ‘2nd’, ‘Graph’ to get table of values
4. Scroll down to see how the y-value changes as x increases
If the change between successive terms get smaller, it is a converging series.
If the change between successive terms get larger, it is a diverging series.

Method 2: Simplify the expression with sigma notation. Observe what happens to the
simplified form as n tends to infinity. If it tends to a finite value, it is a converging
series; otherwise it is diverging.

# #
If ∑)6@# 𝑢6 = 1 + )J#, as 𝑛 → ∞, )J# → 0,

∑)6@# 𝑢6 → 1 (convergent series with 𝑆, = 1)