I.

Introduction

Mathematical Induction is a technique for proving results or establishing

statements for natural numbers. This part illustrates the method through a variety of
examples

II. Objectives

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. illustrate a series;
2. differentiate a series from a sequence; and
3. use sigma notation to represent a series.

II. Content

Lesson 6: Mathematical Induction: Series, Sequences and Sigma

notations
Series

A series represents the sum of the terms of a sequence. As an illustration, the sum of
the first five terms of the sequence whose nth term is given by the formula 𝑎𝑛=𝑛+3 is
written as
4+5+6+7+8

A series indicates the sum of the terms of the given sequence. The sum of the series is
30.

Sequence

A sequence is a function whose domain is the set of positive integers or the set
{ 1 , 2, 3 , … , n }.

A sequence is a list of numbers (separated by commas), while a series is a sum

−1 1 1
of numbers (separated by “+” or “−¿” sign). As an illustration, 1, , ,− is a
2 3 4
−1 1 1 7
sequence, and 1 + − = is its associated series.
2 3 4 12

The sequence with nt h term a n is usually denoted by { a n }, and associated series

is given by
S=a1 +a2 + a3+ …+a n

1
Example1. Determine the first five terms of each defined sequence, and give their
associated series.

1. { 2−n } 3. {(−1 )n }
2. { 1+2 n+3 n2 }

Solution:
We denote the nt h term of a sequence by a n, and S=a1 +a2 + a3+ a4 + a5

1. a n=2−n

First five terms:

a 1=2−1=1
a 2=2−2=0
a 3=2−3=−1
a 4=2−4=−2
a 5=2−5=−3

Associated series:
S=a1 +a2 + a3+ a4 + a5
S=1+ 0−1−2−3
S=−5

2. a n=1+2 n+3 n2

First five terms:

2
a 1=1+ 2∙ 1+3 ∙1 =6
2
a 2=1+2∙ 2+3 ∙2 =17
2
a 3=1+2∙ 3+3 ∙ 3 =34
a 4=1+2 ∙ 4+ 3∙ 4 2=57
2
a 5=1+2∙ 5+3 ∙ 5 =86

Associated series:
S=a1 +a2 + a3+ a4 + a5
S=6+17+34 +57+86
S=200
n
3. a n=(−1 )

First five terms:

a 1=−1
a 2=1

2
 a 3=−1
a 4=1
a 5=−1
Associated series:
S=a1 +a2 + a3+ a4 + a5
S=−1+ 1−1+1−1
S=−1

Types of Sequences

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence in which each term after the first is

obtained by adding a constant (called the common difference) to the preceding term.

If the nth term of arithmetic sequence is a n and the common difference is d , then

a 15=60.

The associated arithmetic series with n terms is given by

n ( a1 + an ) n [ 2 a1 + ( n−1 ) d ]
S n= =
2 2

1
If { a n } is an arithmetic sequence, then the sequence with nth term b n= is a
an
harmonic sequence

Example 2. Find the first term and the common difference of the arithmetic sequence,
given the 5th term is 3; and 21st term is 35.

Solution:

Note that a 5=3 and a 21=35, we an substitute this values in our general formula
a n=a1 + ( n−1 ) d .

It follows that
a 5=a1 + 4 d=3
a 21=a1 +4 d=35

We can solve for d by combining 5th and 21st term. Thus,

a 1+ 4 d=3 → 5th term

(−) a 1+ 4 d=35 → 21st term
16 d = -32
d=2 The common difference is 2.

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After obtaining d , we can now solve for the value of the first term.

a 1+ 4 d=3
a 1=3−4 d
a 1=3−4( 2)
a 1=3−8
a 1=−5 The first term of the sequence is -5.

Example 2. Find the sum of the first twenty – two terms of the arithmetic sequence in
which a 1=90 and a 22=5.

Solution:

Since the given values are a 1=90 , a 22=5, and n=22, therefore we are going to used this
formula;

n ( a1+ an )
Sn =
2
So we have,
22 ( 90+5 )
S22 = Substitute the values above.
2
22 ( 95 )
S22=
2
2090
S22 =
2
S22 =1045 The sum of the first 22 terms of the
terms of the sequence is 1045.

A geometric sequence is a sequence in which each term after the first is

obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a constant (called the common ratio).

2, 4, 8, 16, 32

If the nth term of geometric sequence is a n and the common ratio is r , then

a 10=1024.

The associated series with n terms is given by

4
 { }
na 1 if r=1
Sn= a1 (1−r )n

¿ if r ≠1
( 1−r )

2 n−1
When −1<r <1, the infinite geometric series a 1+ a2 r + a3 r + …+a 1 r +… has a sum
given by

a1
Sn=
1−r

Example 3. Find the 6th term of the geometric sequence whose first term is 7 and
whose common ratio is 2.

Solution:

The given are a 1=7, n=6 and r =2. Thus, applying the formula

a n=a1 r n−1.

So we have,
6−1
a 6=7(2)
5
a 6=7(2)
a 6=7(32)
a 6=224 The 6th term of the geometric sequence 224.

1 1 1 1
Example 4. Determine the sum of the geometric series + 2 + 3 + …+ 10 .
2 2 2 2

Solution:

1 1
Note that a 1= , r = and n=10, then substitute the given in the formula. Since
2 2
this is a finite series the formula that we are going to used is,

a 1( 1−r )
n

Sn= ; Since r ≠ 1
(1−r )

So we have,

5
 [ ] ()
10
1
1−
1 2
S10= Substitute
2
(1− 12 )

[ ] ()
10
1
1−
1 2
S10=
2 1
2

[ ]
1
1−
1 1024
S10 = Expand the exponent
2 1
2

[ ]
1024 1
−
1 1024 1024
S10 = Get the LCD to combine like
2 1
2
terms

[ ]
1023
1 1024
S10 = Combine like terms.
2 1
2

S10 =
1
2 ([ 1023
1024 1 ) ]
)( 2
Get the reciprocal of the divisor then

proceed to multiplication.

S10= (
1 2046
2 1024 )
S10 = (
1 1023
2 512 ) Simplify

1023 1023
S10 = The sum of geometric series is .
1024 1024

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 1 1
Example 5. Determine the sum of the geometric series 1+ + 2 + …
5 5

Solution:

1
Note that a 1=1, r = and n=∞ , then substitute the given in the formula. Since
5
this is a infinite series the formula that we are going to used is,

a1
Sn= ; since r ≠ 1
1−r

So we have,

1
S∞ =
1 Substitute.
1−
5

1
S∞ =
5−1 Get the LCD to combine like terms
5

1
S∞ =
4 Simplify
5

S∞ =1 ( 54 ) Get the reciprocal then proceed to mult.

5 5
S∞ = The sum of the geometric series is .
4 4
To describe the sum of the terms of a sequence, we use the sigma notation.

The Sigma Notation

Sigma Notation, also known as summation notation, is a convenient way of

representing the sum of the terms of a finite sequence. The Greek letter Σ (𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑚𝑎) is
used to indicate the sum. The notation consists of several components or parts.

Let f ( i ) be an expression involving an integer i . The expression;

f ( m ) + f ( m+1 ) + f ( m+2 ) + …+ f (n)

Can be compactly written in sigma notation, and we write it as;

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 n

∑ f (i),
i=m

which is read “the summation of f ( i ) from i=m to n .” Where, m and n are integers
with m ≤n , f ( i ) is a term (or summand) of the summation, and the letter i is the index, m
the lower bound, and n the upper bound.

Example 6. Expand each summation, and simplify if possible.

1.) 2.)
4 4

∑ (2 i+3 ) ∑ 2x
i=2 x=2

Solution:

We apply the definition of sigma notation.

1.)
4

∑ (2 i +3 )=[ 2 ( 2 ) +3 ] +[ 2 ( 3 ) +3 ] +[ 2 ( 4 )+3 ]=27

i=2

2.)
5

∑ 2x =20 +21 +22 +23 +24 +25 =63

x=0

Example7. Write each expression in sigma notation.

1 1 1 1
1.) 1+ + + +…
2 3 4 100

2.) a 2+ a4 + a6 +a8 + …+a20

Solution:

1 1 1 1
1.) 1+ + + +…
2 3 4 100

8
 100
1
¿∑
n=1 n

2.) a 2+ a4 + a6 +a8 + …+a20

¿ a2 (1)+ a2 (2) + a2(3) +a 2(4) + …+a2 (10)

10
¿ ∑ a 2i
i=1

IV. Assessment
A. Write the first three terms of the sequences whose nth terms is given by the formula.
Then write your answer on the space provided.

9
 1. a n=n−1 1
3. a n=
n+1

2. a n=3n 4n
4. a n=
n+2

B. Solve the following arithmetic sequences.

1. Find the sum of the first 40 terms, 3. Find the sum of the first 71 terms,
given a 1=3 and a 40 =29 given a 1=8 and a 71=−27

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2. Find the first term and common 4. Find the first term and the common
difference of the given sequence; 8 th difference of the given sequence; 21 st
term is 75; 20th term is 29. term is 195; 10th term is 85.

C. Solve the following geometric sequence.

1. Find the 6th term of the geometric 3. Find the 10th term of the Geometric
sequence 7, 21, 63, 189, . . . sequence 8, 4, 2, 1, . . .

2. Find the 8th term of the geometric 4.Find the a 7 term of the geometric
1 1 1 1 −1
sequence ,− , ,− , . . . sequence a 1=180 and r = .
4 8 16 32 3

D. Expand the each summation, and simplify if possible.

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 1.
3

∑ (x 2+ 1)
x=0

2.
9

∑ (n 2+5 n−1)
n=4

3.
5

∑ 4i −2
i=1

4.
8

∑ (2i−3)
i=1

V. References
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Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR) (2016) Pre-
Calculus Learner’s Material. Lexicon Press Inc., Philippines

G. Obama & E. Mangaldan (2007) Exploration and Application Advanced Algebra,

Trigonometry and Statistics. VICARISH Publication & Trading , Manila, Philippines

Jose-Dilao, S. & Orines, F.B. (2003). Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics.
JTW Corporation., Quezon City, Philippines

The New High School Mathematics Fourth Year( Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and
Statistics) 2003 by Diwa Scholastics Press Inc., Philippines

Winston S. Sirug, Ph.D. (2016) Pre-Calculus for Senior High School – STEM
Specialized Subject (A Comprehensive Approach) MINDSHAPERS CO.,INC, Manila,
Philippines

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