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Introduction To Arithmetic Sequences
Introduction To Arithmetic Sequences
Arithmetic Sequences
18 May 2011
Arithmetic Sequences
When the difference between any two
numbers is the same constant value
This difference is called d or the constant
difference
{4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 19, …} ← Not an Arithmetic Sequence
{7, 11, 15, 19, 23, ...} ← Arithmetic Sequence
d=4
Your Turn:
Determine if the following sequences are
arithmetic sequences. If so, find d (the
constant difference).
{14, 10, 6, 2, –2, …}
{3, 5, 8, 12, 17, …}
{33, 27, 21, 16, 11,…}
{4, 10, 16, 22, 28, …}
Recursive Form
The recursive form of a sequence tell you the
relationship between any two sequential (in
order) terms.
un = un–1 + d n≥2
common difference
Writing Arithmetic Sequences
in Recursive Form
If given a term and d
1. Solve for d
1. u3 = 53 and u5 = 71 2. u2 = -7 and u5 = 8
3. u3 = 1 and u7 = -43
Explicit Form
The explicit form of a sequence tell you the
relationship between the 1st term and any
other term.
un = u1 + (n – 1)d n≥1
common difference
Summary: Recursive Form vs.
Explicit Form
Recursive Form Explicit Form
1. u1 = 5 and d = 2 2. u1 = -4 and d = 5
Writing Arithmetic Sequences
in Explicit Form, cont.
You may need to solve for u1 and/or d.
1. Solve for d if necessary
2. Back solve for u1 using the explicit formula
u4 = 12 and d = 2
Example #2
u7 = -8 and d = 3
Example #3
u6 = 57 and u10 = 93
Example #4
u2 = -37 and u7 = -22
Your Turn:
Find the explicit formulas:
3. u1 = 10, d = -½ 4. u1 = π, d = 2
Find u12 Find u27
Summations
Summation – the sum of the terms in a
sequence
{2, 4, 6, 8} → 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20
Represented by a capital Sigma
Summation Notation
Upper Bound
(Ending Term #)
k
Sigma
(Summation
Symbol) un Sequence
n 1 Lower Bound
(Starting Term #)
Example #1
4
2n
n 1
Example #2
3
(n 3)
n 1
Example #3
3
(3n 2)
n 1
Your Turn: Find the sum:
5 4
(3n 7) (5 4n )
n 1 n 1
Your Turn: Find the sum:
5 4
(7 3n ) [3 (n 1)4]
n 1 n 1
Your Turn: Find the sum:
5 4
2
(30 n ) n (n 2)
n 1 n 1
Partial Sums of Arithmetic
Sequences – Formula #1
Good to use when you know the 1st term AND the last
term # of terms
k k
u n ( u1 u k )
n 1 2
1st term last term
Formula #1 – Example #1
Find the partial sum:
k = 9, u1 = 6, u9 = –24
Formula #1 – Example #2
Find the partial sum:
k = 6, u1 = – 4, u6 = 14
Formula #1 – Example #3
Find the partial sum:
k = 10, u1 = 0, u10 = 30
Your Turn:
Find the partial sum:
1. k = 8, u1 = 7, u8 = 42
2. k = 5, u1 = –21, u5 = 11
3. k = 6, u1 = 16, u6 = –19
Partial Sums of Arithmetic
Sequences – Formula #2
Good to use when you know the 1st term, the # of
terms AND the common difference
# of terms
k k (k 1)
u n ku1 d
n 1 2
1st term common difference
Formula #2 – Example #1
Find the partial sum:
k = 12, u1 = –8, d = 5
Formula #2 – Example #2
Find the partial sum:
k = 6, u1 = 2, d = 5
Formula #2 – Example #3
Find the partial sum:
k = 7, u1 = ¾, d = –½
Your Turn:
Find the partial sum:
1. k = 4, u1 = 39, d = 10
2. k = 5, u1 = 22, d = 6
3. k = 7, u1 = 6, d = 5
Choosing the Right Partial
Sum Formula
Do you have the last term or the constant difference?
k k k k (k 1)
u n (u1 u k ) u n ku1 d
n 1 2 n 1 2
Examples
Identify the correct partial sum formula:
1. k = 6, u1 = 10, d = –3