Chapter 7: Sequences and Series

Topic: Arithmetic and Geometric progressions

CONTENTS
7.1 Sequences ...................................................................................................................... 1
7.2. Arithmetic Sequence .................................................................................................... 2
7.3 Geometric Sequence ..................................................................................................... 3
7. 4 Series ............................................................................................................................ 4
7.5 Arithmetic Progression (Sum of first n terms) .............................................................. 4
7.6 Geometric Progression (Sum of first n terms) .............................................................. 5
7.7 Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Series: ......................................................................... 6
SUMMARY OF FORMULAE ........................................................................................... 7
EXERCISES ....................................................................................................................... 8
PAST TEST-2 QUESTIONS .............................................................................................. 8
PAST EXAM QUESTIONS ............................................................................................. 11

7.1 Sequences

Definition of a sequence:
A succession of numbers formed according to some order (or rule) is called a sequence.

Example 7.1.1 (sequences)

1 1 1 2 3 4 5 n +1
(i) 2,1 , 1 , 1 ,
= , ; ; ; ... ;
2 3 4 1 2 3 4 n
n
(ii) − 2, 4, − 8, 16,
, (-2)
n
(iii) − 1, 1, − 1, 1,
, (-1)
1 1 1 ( −1)n
(iv) −1, , − , ,
, ,
2 3 4 n
(v) The sequence of prime numbers, 2, 3, 7, …
(vi) The sequence of natural numbers 0, 1, 2, … , n,… .
(vii) The sequence of natural even numbers 2, 4, … , 2n .
(viii) The sequence of natural odd numbers 1, 3, 5, … , 2n + 1 .

Remark: In general, if we associate an as a number, where n is an integer, we have a

sequence that is denoted by {an } , n ≥ 1 . We call an as the nth term of the sequence.

1
Example 7.1.2 (sequences)
1 1 1 1 1
(a ) {an } =   = , , ,… , .
n  1 2 3 n
 n − 1 1 2 n −1
(b) {an } =   = 0, , , … , .
 n  2 3 n
 en  e 2 e3 en
(c ) {an } =   = e, , , … , , where e = 2.7182818...
 n!  2! 3! n!
(d ) {an } = {( −1) } = −1, 1, − 1, 1,…
n

7.2. Arithmetic Sequence

Consider the sequence {an } = {a1 + ( n − 1) d } , where a1 and d are fixed values.
Then the terms of this sequence will be
a1 , a1 + d , a1 + 2d , a1 + 3d ,…
where,
a1 is the first term of this sequence while
d is the difference between the two consecutive terms of the sequence,

Thus, the nth term is an = a1 + ( n − 1) d . Such a sequence is called as the Arithmetic

sequence.

Example 7.2.1
(a) Find the 10th term of an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 5, d = 2 .
(b) For the arithmetic sequence 7, 4, 1, − 2,… , which term equals? −50?
(c) A businessman borrows P150 000 from a bank. What will be the amount due after
one year if the interest is P 3000 every month?

Solution 7.2.1
(a) Using the nth term formula an = a1 + ( n − 1) d , with a1 = 5, d = 2 , we get
a10 = 5 + (10 − 1) 2 = 5 + 9 ⋅ 2 = 23

(b) Using the nth term formula an = a1 + ( n − 1) d , with a1 = 7 and d = −3 , we get

an = 7 − 3(n − 1) ⇒ 7 − 3(n − 1) = −50 ⇒ 7 − 3n + 3 = −50 ⇒ −3n = −60 ⇒ n = 20 .

(c) Substituting into the nth term formula an = a1 + ( n − 1) d with a1 = 150 000 , d = 3000
and n = 12 we get a12 = 150 000 + 11 × 3000 = P 183000

2
7.3 Geometric Sequence
A geometric sequence is a sequence such that any element after the first is obtained by
multiplying the preceding element by a constant called the common ratio which is
denoted by r.

The common ratio (r) is obtained by dividing any term by the preceding term, i.e.,
a a a
r = 2 = 3 = ... = n
a1 a2 an −1
where,
r = common ratio
a1: first term; a2: second term; ….;an-1: (n-1)th term and an: the nth term.

The geometric sequence has its following sequence formation

Thus, if a1 is the first term, then the
2nd term is a1 ⋅ r
3rd term is a1 ⋅ r ⋅ r = a1 ⋅ r 2
4th term is a1 ⋅ r ⋅ r ⋅ r = a1 ⋅ r 3

nth term is a1 ⋅ r n −1 .

Geometric sequences is denoted by {an } = {a1 ⋅ r n −1} , n ≥ 1 .

The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by an = a1 ⋅ r n −1 where a1 is the first term
and r is common ratio.

Example 7.3.1
Consider the following sequences:
(a) 7, 14, 28, 56, 112, 224,…
(b) 3, − 6, 12, − 24, 48, − 96, 192,…
In (a) each term is found by multiplying the preceding term by a constant factor r=2,
while in (b) each term is found by multiplying the preceding term by a constant factor
r= -2

3
Example 7.3.2
For the following sequences:
(a) 12, 36, 108, 324,… , find a8 .
(b) 256, − 128, 64, − 32,… , find a9 .
Solution 7.3.2
36
(a) Using the geometric sequence formula an = a1 ⋅ r n −1 , with a1 = 12, n = 8, r = = 3,
12
8−1
we get a8 = 12 ( 3) = 12 × 37 = 12 × 2187 = 26244.
128 1
(b) Using the formula an = a1 ⋅ r n −1 , where a1 = 256 , r = − = − and n = 9 we get
256 2
9 −1 8
 1  1
a9 = 256  −  = 256  −  = 1 .
 2  2

7. 4 Series
A series is defined as the sum of the numbers of a sequence. Sometimes it is more
useful to add the finite terms of a sequence.

For example (i) adding the daily rainfall for a month to get the total monthly rainfall; (ii)
adding the yearly profits and their sum represents the total profits over, say, n years.

7.5 Arithmetic Progression (Sum of first n terms)

The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence an =  a1 + ( n − 1) d  that gives us
the nth term of the arithmetic progression is given by the formula

n
sn =
2
{2a1 + ( n − 1) d }
or
,
n
sn = ( a1 + an )
2
where; an is the last term.

Proof:
It is derived as follows:

The sum to n terms is given by:

Sn = a + (a + d) + (a + 2d) + … + (a + (n – 1) d) (1)

If we write this out backwards, we get:

Sn = (a + (n – 1) d) + (a + (n – 2)d) + … + a (2)

Now let’s add (1) and (2):

4
2Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d] + [2a + (n – 1)d] + … + [2a + (n – 1)d]
2Sn = [2a + (n – 1)d] x n
n
So, sn = {2a1 + ( n − 1)d } (3)
2

From (3),
n
sn = {a1 + [a1 + (n − 1)d ]}
2
n
= {a1 + an }
2

Results (which may be useful in the sequel)

(i) Sum of the first n natural numbers

n(n + 1)
1 + 2 + ... + n =
2
(ii) Sum of the squares of first n natural numbers
n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
12 + 22 + ... + n 2 =
6

Example 7.5.1
Find the sum of the first 30 terms of the following arithmetic sequence
3, 7, 11, 15,…

Solution 7.5.1
n
a1 = 3, d = 4 and using the formula sn =
2
{2a1 + ( n − 1) d} , we get
30 30
s30 =
2
{2 ⋅ 3 + ( 30 − 1) ⋅ 4} = {6 + 29 ⋅ 4} = 15 (122 ) = 1830 .
2

7.6 Geometric Progression (Sum of first n terms)

The sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence an = a1 r n −1 that gives us the
nth term of the geometric progression is given by the formula:

sn = a1
( r n − 1)
r −1
The sum of a geometric progression is the sum of a finite number of terms of a geometric
sequence.

Proof:
We can prove as follows:
Sn = a1 + a1r + a1r2 + … + a1rn-1 (1)

Multiplying (1) by r:

5
rSn = a1r + a1r2 + … + a1rn (2)

(2) – (1) gives:

Sn (r – 1) = a1rn - a1(since all the other terms cancel) (3)

(3) implies
r n −1
Sn = a1 (4)
r −1

Example 7.6.1
(a) Find sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric series whose geometric sequence is
2, 6, 18,…
(b) A Company’s yearly sales grow by 8% . If the 1995 sales was P150 000, what would
be the total sales over the period 1995 through 1999?

Solution 7.6.1

(a) a1 = 2, r = 3 and using the formula sn =a

(r n
−1 ) we get
1
r −1

s10 =
(
2 310 − 1 ) =3 10
− 1 = 59048 .
3 −1

(b) a1 = 150 000, r = 1 + i = 1 + 0.08 = 1.08 and using the formula sn =a

(r n
−1 ) we get
1
r −1

s5 = 150 000
(1.08 5
−1) = 150 000 (1.469328 − 1) = 879 990 .
1.08 − 1 0.08

7.7 Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Series:

Consider an infinite geometric series given by S = a1 + a1 r + a1 r 2 + a1r 3 + ...

Then the sum of this infinite geometric series can be obtained by the formula
∞
a1
S ∞ = ∑ a1 r k = , provided r < 1 .
k =0 (1 − r )
a1
If r < 1 , then the geometric series converges to , but diverges if r ≥ 1 , that is, it
(1 − r )
tends to ∞ .

Example 7.7.1
Find the sum of the following geometric series.
k k
∞
 2 ∞
4
(a) ∑  −  and (b)
k =o  3
∑  
k =2  5 

6
Solution 5
0
 2  2 2
(a) Note that a1 =  −  = 1, r =  − , r = − < 1
 3  3 3
k
∞
 2 a 1 1 3
Thus, S ∞ = ∑  −  = 1 = = = .
k =o  3  (1 − r )  2 5 5
1−  − 
 3 3
2
4 4 4
(b) Note that a1 =   , r =  , r = < 1
5 5 5
2 2
4 4
k     16
∞
4
Thus, S ∞ = ∑   = 1 =   ==   = .
a 5 5
k =0  5  1− r 1− 4 1 5
5 5
SUMMARY OF FORMULAE
7.2 Arithmetic sequence. If a1 is the first term of the sequence and d is the difference
between the two consecutive terms of the sequence,
Then nth term is an = a1 + ( n − 1) d
7.3 Geometric sequence The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by an = a1 ⋅ r n −1
where a1 is the first term and r is the common ratio.
7.5 Arithmetic progression The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence that
gives us the nth term of the arithmetic progression is given by
the formula
n
sn = {2a1 + ( n − 1) d }
2
,
n
or sn = ( a1 + an )
2
where an is the last term.
Sum of the first n natural n(n + 1)
numbers Sn =
2
Sum of the squares of first n n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
natural numbers Sn =
6
7.6 Geometric Progression The sum of the first n terms of an geometric sequence that
gives us the nth term of the geometric progression is given by
the formulae

sn = a1
( r n − 1)
r −1
7.7 Sum to Infinity of a ∞
a1
Geometric Series S ∞ = ∑ a1 r k = , provided r < 1 .
k =0 (1 − r )

7
EXERCISES
1. Write the first five terms of the following sequences whose k th terms are:
k
1
(a) tk =
( −1)
(b) tk = 2 (c) tk =
k
k k k +1
2. Find a formula (either explicit or recursive) for the nth term of the following
sequences and write down the next three terms.

(a) 2, − 4, 8, − 16, 32, − 64, 128, …

(b) 384, − 192, 96, − 48, 24, …

3. Compute the sum of the first 300 natural numbers exactly divisible by 5.
Ans. 225750
4. In 30 days, Lizzy ate a total of 1515 chocolates and on each day she ate 3
chocolates more than what she did the previous day. How many chocolates did
she eat on the first day? Ans. a1 = 7
5. Find the 18th term and the sum of the first 18 terms of the sequence
4, 8, 16, 32, … .
6. Evaluate the following sums:
n
12 ∞
1 ∞
1 12
(a) ∑ ( 3 − 4i ) , (b) ∑ i , (c) ∑   , (d) ∑ ( 4k − 12 ) ,
i

i =5 i =1 2 n =1  3  k =1
7. What is the least number of terms of AP 5, 11,17 , … that must be added to give a
total sum greater than 100?
1
8. The first term of a GP is 64 and the common ratio is . How many terms must be
2
1
added to obtain a total of 127 ?
2
1
10. Suppose a ball re-bounds of the distance it falls. If the ball is dropped from a
2
height of 40 meters, how far does it travel before coming to rest?

PAST TEST-2 QUESTIONS

2008
Question 1

(a) The first term of an AP is −5 and the 10th term is double the 5th term. Find the
3rd term.
10  k

1
(b) Evaluate ∑ 5   + 8k  .
 2
k =3  
(c) Find the sum to infinity of the following: 16 − 4 + 1 +
.
[4+5+3=12 Marks]
2010

8
(2a) The sum to infinity of a certain geometric sequence is 27. If the first term is 36, find
the common ratio. [5 Marks]
19
(2b) Evaluate ∑ 2
n=10
n
+ 200  [5 Marks]

Solution 2(a)
a1 36 36 36 1
S∞ = ⇒ 27 = ⇒ 1− r = ⇒ r = 1− =−
1− r 1− r 27 27 3
Solution (2b)
19 19 19

∑ 2n + 200 =
n =10
∑ 2n  + ∑ [ 200]
n =10 n =10
(1)
19

∑ 2  = 2 + 2 +,..., +2
n =10
n 10 11 19
(2)

Since {2 } = 2 ,2 ,...,,2
n 10 11 19
is a geometric sequence. The geometric progression is

s =a
( r − 1) n

n 1
r −1
211
a1 = 210 , r = 10 = 2 and n = 19 − 10 + 1 = 10
2
10 (
19 210 − 1)
s10 = ∑  2  = 2
n
= 1047552 (3)
n =10 2 −1

Now
19 19

∑ [200] = 200 ∑
n =10 n =10
= 200(10) = 2000 (4)
19

∑ 2
n =10
n
+ 200 = (3) + (4) = 1047552 + 2000 = 1049552

2011
Question 5
10
(a) Evaluate the following: (i) 80+20+5+…… and (ii) ∑ 2
k =1
k
− k + 10 . Ans.: 2091

(b) Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the following sequence:4, 2, 0,…
Ans.: -300

9
Solution:
20 1
(a) (i) a1 = 80, r == . Hence 80 + 20 + 5 +
+ ∞
80 4
a 80 320
S∞ = 1 = =
1− r 1− 1 3
4
Question 6

(a) The first and last terms of an arithmetic sequence are −8 and 22, respectively. If
the sum of the series is 91, find the number of terms. Ans. n = 13

(b) If the 12th term of an arithmetic sequence is 10 and the 10th term is 5, find the first
term and the common difference.
Solution:
(a) We are given that a1 = −8, an = 22, Sn = 91
n n 182
S n = [ a1 + an ] ⇒ 91 = ( −8 + 22 ) ⇒ 182 = 14n ⇒ n = = 13 .
2 2 14

(b) We are given that a12 = 10, a10 = 5

a12 = a1 + 11d ⇒ 10 = a1 + 11d − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − (1)
a10 = a1 + 9d ⇒ 5 = a1 + 9d − − − − − − − − − − − − − − − ( 2 )
5
(1) − ( 2 ) ⇒ 5 = 2d ⇒ d = .
2
5 45 35
Substitute d = into ( 2 ) to get 5 = a1 + 9 ( 5 2 ) ⇒ a1 = 5 − =− .
2 2 2
2012
Question 5
1 1 1 3
(a) For the sequence , , , , ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ , find:
18 6 2 2
(i) The 10th term.
(ii) The Sum of the first 10 terms.
(b) Given that the first term and the common difference of an arithmetic sequence are
10 and 3 , respectively, find:
(i) The first four terms of the sequence.
(ii) The sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence.
22
(c) Evaluate ∑(2
n=3
n
− 100 ) .

[(4+5)+(4+5)+7=25 Marks]

10
Solution 5
(a)
(i) a1=1/18; r= 1/6/1/18= 3, n=10
{an } = {a1 ⋅ r n −1} , n ≥ 1
{a10 } = 
1 9  2187
⋅3  =
18  2

(ii) sn = a1
(r n
− 1)
r −1
1 ( 3 − 1) 1 59048 14762
10

s10 = . = . =
18 3 − 1 18 2 9
(b)
(i) The arithmetic sequence is
{an } = {a1 + ( n − 1) d }
Given a1=10 and d=3, n=4
a1=10; a2=13; a3=16; a4=19

(ii) The sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence

n
Sn = {2a1 + ( n − 1) d }
2
50
S50 = {2(10) + 49(3)} = 25 {20 + 147} = 4175
2

PAST EXAM QUESTIONS

2012

(1g) Find the sum (5 marks)

Answer: 65534+120 = 65654

2013
20
(1g) Find the sum ∑ (2k =2
k
)
+3 . (5 marks)

Answer: 2097205
2014
1h) The sum to infinity of a certain geometric sequence is 27. If the first term is 36, find
the common ratio. (5 marks)

11
Solution
We recall that sum to infinity of a G.P with first term a1 and common ratio r ,−1 < r < 1
a1
is given by S ∞ = .We are given that a1 = 36 and S ∞ = 27.
(1 − r )
36 36 36 1
Thus 27 = ⇒ 1− r = ⇒ r = 1− =− .
(1 − r ) 27 27 3
Question 5
(a) Evaluate the following sums:
100 19
(i) ∑ 2k
k =1
(ii) ∑ [2
n =10
n
+ 200 ] 5+8=13 Marks

Answer: (i) 10100 (ii) 1049552

2015
20
(4d) Evaluate the sum of ∑ (2
r =1
r
− 3r + 4 ) 10 Marks

20 20 20
Answer: ∑ 2r − 3∑ r + ∑ 4 = 2(220 − 1) − 3(210) + 80 = 2(220 − 1) − 550 =2097150
r =1 r =1 r =1

2016
(a) Mr John borrows P150 000 from a bank. What will be the amount due after 15 years
if the interest is P300.00 every year?

(b) A Company’s yearly sales grow by 8% . If the 1995 sales was P150 000, what would
be the total sales over the period 1995 through 1999?

12
(c) Evaluate the following sums: ∑ (3
i =5
i
− 4i )

(7+8+10=25 Marks)

12