Math Review—Illustrative Problems and Solutions 79

SAT subject test - Math Level 1

9. If f(x) = x3 + x2 + 2x + 6, find f(i).
Solution:
Arithmetic ans Geometric Sequences

14. Arithmetic and Geometric Progressions

A sequence of numbers such as 4, 7, 10, 13 … is called an arithmetic progression (A.P.). Note that each
term is obtained from the preceding term by adding 3; thus, the difference between any term and its
preceding term is 3. We call this number the common difference (d) of the progression or sequence. If the
successive terms decrease, we consider d to be negative.
If we designate the terms of an A.P. by a1, a2, a3 … an, we may easily develop the following formula
for the nth term, an, in terms of a and d:
an = a1 + (n – 1)d
The indicated sum of the terms of a progression is called a series. 4 + 7 + 10 + 13 + … may be
referred to as an arithmetic series or the sum of an arithmetic progression. The sum of the first n terms of
an A.P. is given by the formula

We may convert the Sn formula to a more convenient form by substituting in it an = a1 + (n – 1)d.

A sequence of terms such as 3, 6, 12, 24 … is called a geometric progression (G.P.). Here, the ratio
(r) of any term to its preceding term is constant, in this case, r = 2. If we designate the term of a G.P. by a1,
a2, a3, … an, we can express an in terms of a, and r as follows:
an = a1 rn–1
The sum Sn of n terms of a G.P. is given by the formula:

If the absolute value of the ratio, r, of a G.P. is less than 1, then the sum, S, of an infinite number of
terms has an upper limit and is given by the formula:

Illustrative Problems
1. Find the 15th term of the sequence 50, 46, 42, 38 …

Solution:

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80 Part III

2. Which term of the series 1, 6, 11 … is 96?

Solution:

3. Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the series 3 + 5 + 7 … + 21

Solution: a1 = 3, n = 10, an = 21

4. Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the series 15, , 12 …

Solution:

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 Math Review—Illustrative Problems and Solutions 81

5. Find the sum of all integers between 1 and 100 that are exactly divisible by 9.
Solution: The A.P. is 9, 18, 27 … 99.

6. Find the 9th term of the G.P.: 20, 10, 5, …

Solution:

1
a1 = 20, r = , n = 9
2
n −1
a n = a1r
8
 1
a9 = 20 
 2
5
a9 =
64

7. Find the sum of 5 terms of the G.P.: 27, 9, 3 …

Solution:

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82 Part III

8. Find the sum of the infinite G.P.: 12, 6, 3 …

Solution:

9. Write the repeating decimal .343434 … as a fraction.

Solution: Write the number as the sum of an infinite G.P.

15. Vectors
Forces and velocities are usually represented as vectors. A vector is a quantity having both magnitude and
direction.
We represent a vector by an arrow to show its direction, the length of which is proportional to the
magnitude of the vector.
If a vector a and a vector b react upon an object so that it moves in a new direction, this new vector
is called the resultant, or vector sum of a and b.
In some problems in mechanics we wish to reverse the above procedure; that is, given a vector, we
may want to find two perpendicular vectors that, when added, have the given vector as a resultant. These
two vectors are called components of the given vector.

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