STUDY GUIDE 2: MATHEMATICS 10

GRADE LEVEL GRADE 10

TOPIC/TITLE ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE AND ARITHMETIC
MEANS
WEEK/S: WEEK 2

Introduction
You have learned from the previous module what number patterns and number
sequences are. You have also learned how the next number in a number sequence is
found.
Now, you will learn about arithmetic sequence.

Learning Competencies: The learner

1. illustrates arithmetic sequence.
2. determines arithmetic means and the nth term of arithmetic sequence.
Objectives: In this lesson, you are expected to
1. define arithmetic sequence,
2. determine if a number sequence is arithmetic or not,
3. find the arithmetic means and the nth term of an arithmetic sequence,
4. Solve problems involving arithmetic sequence.

Discussion of the Topic and Self-Check

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence in which each term a n is found by adding
a constant
value called the common difference d. The common difference is found by subtracting
the first term a1 from the 2nd term a2, the 3rd term a3 from the 2nd term a2 and so on.
d = a2 – a1 or a3 - a2 or a4 - a3 and so on.
Examples:
1. 7, 11, 15, 19,…. This is an arithmetic sequence where d = 4.
d= 11 – 7 = 4
= 15 – 11 = 4
= 19 – 15 = 4
2. 50, 45, 40, 35. This is an arithmetic sequence, d = - 5
d= 45 – 50 = - 5
= 40 – 45 = - 5
= 35 – 40 = - 5
3. 3, 7/2, 4, 9/2,…. This is an arithmetic sequence, d = ½
d = 7/2 – 3 = ½
= 4 – 7/2 = ½
= 9/2 – 4 = ½
4. 3, 6, 12, 24,…. This is not an arithmetic sequence because there is no d.

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 6–3=3
12 – 6 = 6. The two differences are not common.

Study Examples 1 – 3 in your textbook on pages 19 – 21 and for more information

about arithmetic sequence, you may visit these links. Read the process questions
before watching the videos.
1. https://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic-
sequence/arithmetic-sequence-definition
2. https://www.my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?
contentSrc=6498/6498.xml
Process Questions:
1. How did you determine the examples and non-examples of an arithmetic
sequence?
2. How will you know that a given sequence is arithmetic or not?
( Source: PEAC DepEd LM 2017 )

Sample Problem:
Periodic comets are like planets that revolve in well-defined orbits or elliptical
course about the sun. The number of years it takes a comet to complete one revolution
about the sun is called the comet's orbital period.
1. If the comet Olbers has a period 70 years, when is the next expected sighting if
the comet was first sighted on Earth in 1956?__________________
2. Find the years of comet Olbers' seven successive returns on Earth. Write the
seven successive years as a
sequence.____________________________________________
3. Find the difference between two successive years.___________
4. Is there a common difference? What does this common difference represent?
____________________________________.
5. Historical records show that a bright object was visible in the night sky throughout
the world in the year 1682. Might the object be the comet Olbers? Explain your
answer? __________________________________________
6. What type of sequence is formed in #2? ___________________________
7. How can outcomes of real-life problems be predicted?
____________________________________________________________

The nth Term of an Arithmetic Sequence and the Arithmetic Means

To find the nth term of an arithmetic sequence, use the formula : an = a1 + ( n –
1)d
Where a1 is the first term, n is the number of terms and d is the common difference.

Example: Find the 10th term of the arithmetic sequence – 3, 1, 5, 9, 13,…

Solution:
Identify what is asked:. a 10 = ________

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 Identify what are given: a 1 = - 3 and d = 4
Since a10 is to be found, an = a10, hence n = 10
Use the formula, an = a1 + ( n – 1 )d
a10 = - 3 + ( 10 – 1 )4 → substitute the given
a10 = - 3 + 9(4) →subtract 10-1,apply PEMDAS
a10 = - 3 + 36 →multiply 9 and 4, apply PEMDAS.
a10 = 33 →add – 3 and 36
The 10th term a10 is 33.
More examples are discussed in your textbooks on pages 21 – 22, study examples 4
and 5.
For more information about finding the nth term of an arithmetic sequence, watch the
videos from the following links; then complete the sentences given.

Finding the Next Term of an Arithmetic

1. http://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequence/sequence-next-terms-example
To get the next term of an arithmetic
sequence,____________________________
________________________________________________________________
__.

Finding the nth Term of an Arithmetic Sequence

1. http://virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequence-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequences/arithmetic-sequence-definition
2. http://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequences/sequence-nth-term-example
3. http://my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?
contentSrc=7224/7224.xml
To determine the nth term of an arithmetic sequence, use the formula
____________________, where an is the _______________, a1 is the
___________________, n is the _______________ __________________ and
d is the ____________________________.

Finding the Arithmetic Means

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM4bsgEh7p4
2. http://my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?
contentSrc=7225/7225.xml
To determine the missing terms of an arithmetic sequence given its first and last
terms, determine the __________________________ by using the formula
_______________ and substitute the first and the last terms to it. After finding
the _________________________, add it to the first term to get the 2 nd term, add
the _____________ to the 2nd term to get the 3rd term and so on.
Process Questions:

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 1. How will you determine the next term of an arithmetic sequence?
2. How will you determine the nth term of an arithmetic sequence?
3. How will you determine the in-between terms of an arithmetic sequence if the
given are the first and the last terms?
( Source: PEAC DepEd LM 2017 )
Pose your answers in our chatbox and do not hesitate to ask questions or
answer questions of your classmates if you know the answer to their questions.
As an Albertian, you are expected to be altruistic, so share what you know to
help others.

Evaluation
Answer in your answer sheet Exercise 1.2 of your textbook on pages 26-27
Mental Math, A # 1, 3, 5, 7, 9; B # 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and C # 21, 23, 25, 27
Written Math C # 11, 22, 36

References
Orines, Fernando B., et., al., (2019), Next Century Mathematics, Phoenix Publishing
Hose Inc
PEAC DepEd Learning Module 2017
https://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic-
sequence/arithmetic-sequence-definition

https://www.my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?

contentSrc=6498/6498.xml

http://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequence/sequence-next-terms-example

http://virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequence-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequences/arithmetic-sequence-definition

http://www.virtualnerd.com/algebra-2/sequences-series/arithmetic/arithmetic-
sequences/sequence-nth-term-example

http://my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?

contentSrc=7224/7224.xm
http://my.hrw.com/math06 07/nsmedia/lesson videos/alg2/player.html?
contentSrc=7225/7225.

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