/4/GT Precalculus j U 12 L 1 I Name c S"OJrCU/\ fl0_c ' [}a~

Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Qi? jective: To determine whether a sequence is arithmetic , geometric, or neither and to

. supply missing terms of a sequence.
Vocabulary:
. · a r...-( C. 1 'c 1 I
o
Fin,te sequence: a sequence that has a limited number of terms < , 1

Infinite sequence: a sequence that has an unlimited number of terms f, '1, c;,, c,
1
r.J ·
.. ,

Arithmetic sequence: A sequence in which the difference between any two consecutive
terms is constant. This constant difference is called the common difference and
is usually denoted by !!_. The equation is: t,, == t 1 + (n - l )d ) I
Geometric sequence: A sequence in which the ratio of every pair of successive terms is
constant. This constant ratio is called the common ratio and is usually denoted
by r . The equation is: t" == t 1 * r"-
1

Symbols: d (common difference) r (common ratio) t" (nth term of a sequence)

. xample 1: For each arithmetic sequence, find the common difference and the next two terms.

/ LA.- I ( a . 5,8,11,14,17, ... w, 2. '3 l~ -Z'3 b. 23,16,9,2,-5, .. . - l 'l../ _, 4

fi - s

Example 2: For each geometri c sequence, find the common ratio and the next two terms.

,-z .-z. . z Cir 10

a . 3, 6,12,24, ... · b. 90,-30,10,- , .. . / 0
3 { ; z,7
I
I':!
( -:::.,
:,
Example 3: Using the given formula f ind ti,t2 ,t 3 ,t4 • Then tell whether the sequence is
arithmetic, geomet ric, or neither.
f ::;. I ;
. ,,
.,/
,,, -- {./

() AYl~ vvu.Jic.. lY\.::. C:.

a. tn == 3 + 2n 5 ,
7 , I I

'1V'Vr
n 53 , ?_ vvU

w~ ·c.
b. t,, == \ I I

- 1(9 ,Z..
'3
-(,, - I CC- - SvJ '
C. fn =-2 *3"
 1h
Example 4: Find a formula for the 11 term of the following:
'/ LA / · "I
b 2 -8 32,-128,...
v
l -f0, C '[, • , (-'1J-J

Example 5: Use your formulas that you found in example 4 to find

b. t7 for 4b
7 -1
,-)7 =- 1.. (- vi )

[:7 eI Cf~ J
Example 6: Find t 26 for the arithmetic sequence in which t
3
= -5 and t
7
=7 4I - lI
~ . ,v)._ J_ .::: 7 - (- '7') -:. ·: 3 -

/1 7-'s u1 ,_1
O' - .
- S :: t , t- (.'3-\ )3
tc.., :: ·t__
1-\
·•l"{.ll''"" 4t : I \7.
f;·L,V,A_t'U:, - li ' - '7

- l l -r LU· I) ~ \ C' - )

+ ,-.
-J-U, : 6 t.1
J

7 7

Example 7 : Find t 9 for the geometric sequence in which t2 =15 and t5 =405
r: vJ._ ,r:::. 4~; :- 7,..7 ?· '/) /,
\:I
- c::.
- --'

l.[c1 ·; _.. . .f. "L -- l S

,-:.~: )
v ::. 3

'
rt.__________ Date_____ 6
r •·· ·- ARITHMETIC AND GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES

the _first four terms of the sequence with the given formula. Then tell whether it is
arithmetic, geometric, or neither.
1. an = 4n + 3 7 II , I S !g ox,.rJ--vi VlM-l- <-
1

2. an= 3n- 1 3 tl 2,1 w»vv--u/y1c_

I I
3. an= (-2 t ~ii '
-----i
'
-( '
1---- ~ ,c
8

Write the next three terms of the sequence. Find a formula for the nth term of the
sequence. Then find a20. -'vi z- 4( + {1/1 -l) c{
I (' - I
I
41
I
Gli an= c;;y ~lrl;;: +, '-

5. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, .. . '6° tD

-/ y,-.: '3 (v,- l)i

f\7. l 1 , y
_£
6. ¾@',i.,¾ ·... C 6 an= - n
--
'Z.. (
()vl1 11~ L a20=_
1--0
__
 Then supply the
th
Tell whether each sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or nei er.
missing terms and give the value of d or r, if applicable. d or r

A= , ~-
7. type: Or: 7cJ71 lM (,v\,-,

Find the next two terms in each sequence by using the pattern in the differences
between terms.
11, 2, 4, 8, 14, 22, -1...
-- 0 L1
- I 1 .,,

12~ 60, 48, 38, 30, 24, --2:.!:!.._, •...

13. \,,3J-05v31, ___fl_l_, fil_, ...

·t.. vt 8 \1,

14. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 2- I ,
V'-'( '1'.,<-;;:, '-( - -
t

Determine whether each sequence is arithmetic or geometric. Then find a formula for
the nth term of the sequence.
v\ {7.. y,
Cl.,...--.,,,,--..
15. L, 6, 18, 54, ...
- !. \/r \
( L,, ;
16. 64c:::,4~3~-27, ...
c:. ,. V\ u
a yj<tv,_ v vt)..,(l'L
) I \
"'!,\

17. 13,4,-5,-14, ...

\..., \J V- A i
-'\. ·<t -~ ()'.; - ,
Determine the specified term of each arithmetic or geometric sequence.

18. 4, 9, 14, 19, ... a21 = _l_

O_l__
-1 __,._
vi>;)'--;§ '--"5 &,. : \,;) <' Lj + ('2. \ - 1) 5
-:: IOV\

- oa t'J
= ---'---
l _L_ _
19. -2, -11, -20, ... a101
V v - -'Z J,. (1Q/.J • - "{)
- d\ -~ F,_ . . > \
-2, -! - H>D
- -10l
 as= - ? r Gl
~1 - I . (. ?_; )

· 2 I 'c '/

21 . a1 =-19; 810 =-2 8 =

(arithmetic)
8 21
------
I • "/
-2 B- (- IC() _ -' ( /)
I ( 'I I J ,

l O - -/ (
,I

+ (7 ~ I J· S
- 10 :-- -l 1
- .\ : , I io · I~
' t

22. 83 = 80; a1 =20,480 a6 = S::l W

~oom~tj - ~ - - -~-.,-
t1 .,1t.-1 b. 1.. ?IP 60 - -{ I • ( yj
~ - l
7-'>-='1 ---,
oo :-- ~ I b

I' ::; ~ :-'1

(0\
23. The first term of an arithmetic sequence is 1 and the common difference is 4. Is 11 ,937 a term of the
sequence? If so, which term is it?
\ \ ,C? "?1 : I (w I) t-i
• l{ 1'?1-: / + 0~-vf v":.1~'ti5
\II' il Cf :,1 ::L{ "tl'> 7 ')
11q !.,\ 0 -:. v. P--v1 .rriD;.,
24. Which term 'Of the geometric sequence.ibJ 6, 18, .. .. Is 118,098?
.:J.i:C~ f ·'
ri-' 17
~ "11:> "1. C , ,

Decide whether each problem describes an arithmetic sequence or a geometric sequence.

Then use the proper formula to solve each problem.
'1' ?(j ,1...., ('< 'I C, )1 '... I_

25. Alyssa has taken a job with a ~ salary of $26,600 and annu~I raises of $850. What will be her
salary during hec. fifth year on the job?
,, ·~ o
.L
I
_
o-
1, CCQ O
f'
·\- l S· .., G J

.J /::. 2. 51;)~ 'J

26. Frank has taken a job with a .§.tarting salary o~~ n d annual raises o~. What will be his
salary during his third year on the job? c) , ':_)'..I 3.1
- ·.'.), _, ~. \ - 1-1 'ID - /) . 0'-1 '
--f-3 := ,z5 cYJO . (() -OV') 1J.Yr , - . -t-17:'l~OC) o (o, 7..)
1 '1f' ,,, L,
- c/10 = D-0 (
- 0 '
,,.,1
; 1-_;&::J :
-
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