Module 2

Arithmetic Sequence
Introduction of the Lesson
Congratulations! You have completed Module 1: Sequence. This module is about Arithmetic
Sequence. Arithmetic Sequence is one of the special types of Sequence. As you study about
Arithmetic Sequence, you will learn that each of the terms is related to the preceding term that
follows a definite rule. Furthermore, you will discover that Arithmetic Sequence can be applied to
real life situations too. So, pay attention to the discussion at the end you will learn a lot.

You are expected to learn

This module is created for you to:

1. Illustrate an arithmetic sequence;

2. Determine the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of a given arithmetic sequence;
3. Find the arithmetic means between terms of arithmetic sequence;
4. Determine the sum of the first 𝑛 terms of a given arithmetic sequence;
5. Solve problems involving arithmetic sequence.

Checking how much you know

Choose the correct answer. Write the letter only.

1. All the sequences are arithmetic sequence except:

A. 2, 4, 6, 8, …
B. 2, 4, 8, 16, …
C. 3, 6, 8, 12, …
D. 7, 14, 21, 28, …

2. Which of the following illustrates arithmetic sequence?

A.

B.

1
 C.

D.

3. What is the next term of the arithmetic sequence 3, 6, 9, 15, …?

A. 16 C. 18
B. 17 D. 19

4. What is the 8𝑡ℎ term of the arithmetic sequence 8, 10, 18, 20, …?
A. 25 C. 35
B. 30 D. 40

5. What is the arithmetic mean between 6 and 26?

A. 15 C. 17
B. 16 D. 18

6. Find the two arithmetic means between 2 and 17?

A. 8 & 10 C. 8 & 13
B. 9 & 15 D. 7 & 12

7. What is the sum of the first eight terms of the arithmetic sequence 3, 6, 9, 12, …?
A. 88 C. 108
B. 96 D. 112

8. Find the sum of the first ten terms of the arithmetic sequence 1, 6, 11, 16, …
A. 47 C. 57
B. 48 D. 58

9. Find the sum of the first twelve terms of the arithmetic sequence if 𝑎1 = 4 and 𝑑 = 3.
A. 34 C. 36
B. 35 D. 37

10. Sheila’s starting salary is Php 20,000.00 a month and increases of Php 300 annually.
What is her salary during the 6𝑡ℎ year?
A. She will receive Php 21,500.00 on the 6𝑡ℎ year.
B. She will receive Php 22,000.00 on the 6𝑡ℎ year.
C. She will receive Php 22,500.00 on the 6𝑡ℎ year.
D. She will receive Php 23,000.00 on the 6𝑡ℎ year.

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 What will you do
LESSON 1

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

Let us recall the definition of sequence. Sequence is a list of numbers or objects in a special
order. Each term is related to the preceding term in the list following a definite rule. You will be
learning one of the special types of sequence known as Arithmetic Sequence.

An Arithmetic Sequence is a sequence in which each term is obtained by adding a constant

𝒅 to the preceding term. The constant term 𝑑 is called the common difference. To find 𝑑,
𝑑 = 𝑎2 − 𝑎1 or 𝑑 = 𝑎3 − 𝑎2 and so on.

Study the examples and observe how 𝑑 is obtained.

A. 2, 4, 6, 8, … 𝑎2 − 𝑎1 = 𝑑 4−2=2
𝑎3 − 𝑎2 = 𝑑 6−4=2
𝑎4 − 𝑎3 = 𝑑 8−6=2
The common difference is 2.

To check, add the common difference to each term to obtain the next term.
2, 4, 6, 8, …
+2 +2 +2

−6 − (−3) = −3
B. -3, -6, -9, -12, …
−9 − (−6) = −3
−12 − (−9) = −3
The common difference is -3.

To check, add the common difference to each term to obtain the next term.
-3, -6, -9, -12, …
-3 -3 -3

In the arithmetic sequence, the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term is defined as

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 where 𝑎1 = the first term

𝑎𝑛 = the last term
𝑛 = the number of terms
𝑑 = the common difference

Which of the sequences is an arithmetic sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, … or 1, 4, 9, 16, …? Why? Yes,

the arithmetic sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4, … because the common difference is 1 while 1, 4, 8, 16, … has
no common difference.

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 What if you are ask to find the 10𝑡ℎ term of the arithmetic sequence 4, 8, 12, 16, …? How
will you do it? To find the 10𝑡ℎ term of the arithmetic sequence, use the formula
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑.
4, 8, 12, 16, … find the 10𝑡ℎ term

Solution: Given: 𝑛 = 10; 𝑎1 = 4; 𝑑=4

Substitute in the formula
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎10 = 4 + (10 − 1)4
𝑎10 = 4 + (9)4
𝑎10 = 4 + 36
𝑎10 = 40
The 10𝑡ℎ term is 40.

Here are more examples:

A. The fourth term of an arithmetic sequence is 3 and the eighth term is 15. Find 𝑎1 .

Solution: Given: 𝑛 =? ; 𝑎1 =? ; 𝑑 =? ; 𝑎4 = 3; 𝑎8 = 15
There are 5 terms from 𝑎4 to 𝑎8 . Assume 𝑎4 as 𝑎1 and 𝑎8 as 𝑎5 to find the common
difference 𝑑.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎5 = 3 + (5 − 1)𝑑
15 = 3 + (4)𝑑
4𝑑 = 12
𝑑=3

Using 𝑑 = 3 and 𝑎4 = 3, solve for 𝑎1

𝑎4 = 𝑎1 + (4 − 1)3
3 = 𝑎1 + (3)3
𝑎1 = −9 + 3
𝑎1 = −6
∴ 𝑎1 is -6.

B. In the arithmetic sequence -28, -24, -20, -16, …, what term is 48?

Solution: Given: 𝑛 =? ; 𝑎1 = −28; 𝑑 = 4; 𝑎𝑛 = 48

Substitute in the formula
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
48 = −28 + (𝑛 − 1)4
48 = −28 + 4𝑛 − 4
4𝑛 = 48 + 28 + 4
4𝑛 = 80
𝑛 = 20
Therefore, 48 is the 20𝑡ℎ term in the arithmetic sequence -28, -24, -20, -16, …

Try this

A. Write the first four terms of the arithmetic sequence from the given data.
1. 𝑎1 = 2; 𝑑=2
2. 𝑎1 = −4; 𝑑 = −3

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 3
3. 𝑎1 = ; 𝑑=5
5

B. Give the common difference of the arithmetic sequence.

1. 4,5, 6, 7, …
2. 17, 20, 23, 26, …
1 1
3. 2 , 0, − 2 , −1, …
4. -5, -8, -11, -14, …
5. -15, -13, -11, -9, …

C. Find the indicated term in each arithmetic sequence.

1. 4,5, 6, 7, … (𝑎10 )
1 1
2. , 0, − , −1, … (𝑎7 )
2 2
3. Find the 12𝑡ℎ term in the sequence 5, 6, 7, 8, …
4. Find the last term of the arithmetic sequence 10, 20, 30, … to 35 terms.
5. If 𝑎1 = 5, 𝑎7 = 21, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 = 6 , find the common difference.

LESSON 2

THE ARITHMETIC MEANS

In a three terms sequence 2, 4, 6, the middle number is called the arithmetic mean between
the other two. So, the arithmetic mean is 4. Furthermore in the sequence 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, the
arithmetic mean between 3 and 9 is 6; 9 is the arithmetic mean between 6 and 12; 12 is the
arithmetic mean between 9 and 15; 6, 9, and 12 are the arithmetic means between 3 and 15.

If 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 is the arithmetic sequence, then 𝑏 is the arithmetic mean. So,

𝑎+𝑐
𝑏=
2

The arithmetic mean or the “mean” between two numbers is called the average of the two
numbers.

In the example 2, 4, 6, the arithmetic mean is 4. Hence,

2+6
𝑏=
2

𝑏=4

It is likely to insert any number of terms between any given terms such that the whole set of
numbers will form an arithmetic sequence. In the example 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, the arithmetic means
between 3 and 15 are 6, 9 and 12.

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 Example:
Insert four arithmetic means between 3 and 33.

Solution: Given: 𝑛 = 6; 𝑎1 = 3; 𝑑 =? ; 𝑎𝑛 = 33
Solve for 𝑑:
Substitute in the formula
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
33 = 3 + (6 − 1)𝑑
33 = 3 + 5𝑑
5𝑑 = 30
𝑑=6
The sequence is 3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 33.

Try this

A. Find the arithmetic mean.

1. between 7 and 29
1 1
2. between 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1
2 2
3. between 3 and 43
4. between 2.18 and 12.18
5. between √2 and 5√2

B. Solve the following.

1. Insert four arithmetic means between 15 and 0.
2. Insert two arithmetic means between -6 and -15.
3. Insert three arithmetic means between -18 and 10.
2 14
4. Insert five arithmetic means between and .
3 3
1
5. Insert six arithmetic means between 8 and 4 .
2

LESSON 3

THE ARITHMETIC SERIES

Consider the problem,

Sheila saved 5 pesos on the first day of June,

8 pesos on the second day, 11 pesos on the
third day and so on, up to the sixth day of June.
How much did she save on the 6th day?

To illustrate the problem in sequence, the sequence is 5, 8, 11, …, 𝑎6 . How will you answer
the problem? What operation is used?

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 To solve, you will probably write all the terms of the sequence then add each terms
5 + 8 + 11 + 15 + 18 + 21 = 78. Therefore, Sheila saved 78 pesos on the 6th day of June. Your
answer is correct.

When all the terms of an arithmetic sequence are added, the concept used is arithmetic
series. By definition, an arithmetic series is the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence. The
formula is
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
Where 𝑆 = the sum
𝑛 = the number of terms
𝑎1 = the first term
𝑑 = the common difference

Let us explore more examples and use the formula.

A. Find the sum of the first ten terms of the arithmetic series 8, 12, 16, 20, …

Solution: Given: 𝑛 = 10; 𝑎1 = 8; 𝑑 = 4; 𝑆𝑛 =?

Substitute in the formula
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
10
𝑆10 = 2 [2(8) + (10 − 1)4]
𝑆10 = 5[16 + (9)4]
𝑆10 = 5[16 + 36]
𝑆10 = 5[52]
𝑆10 = 260
Therefore, the sum is 260.

B. How many terms of the series -20, -15, -10, -5, … must be added so that the sum will be -20?

Solution: Given: 𝑛 =? ; 𝑎1 = −20; 𝑑 = 5; 𝑆𝑛 = −20

Solve for 𝑛.
Substitute in the formula
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
𝑛
−20 = [2(−20) + (𝑛 − 1)5]
2
𝑛
−20 = [−40 + 5𝑛 − 5]
2
𝑛
−20 = [5𝑛 − 45]
2
5𝑛2 − 45𝑛
−20 =
2
−40 = 5𝑛2 − 45𝑛
5𝑛2 − 45𝑛 + 40 = 0 Since, the equation is quadratic. So, factor it.
𝑛2 − 9𝑛 + 8 = 0
(𝑛 − 8)(𝑛 − 1) = 0
𝑛=8
𝑛=1 (Reject 1. When 𝑛 = 1 it is the first term of the sequence)
Therefore, 8 terms are added to get the sum of -20.

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Try this

A. Find the sum of the arithmetic series given

1. 𝑎1 = 5; 𝑑 = 3; 𝑛 = 12
1
2. 𝑎1 = −6; 𝑑 = 2 ; 𝑛 = 10
2
3. 𝑎1 = 3 ; 𝑑 = 2; 𝑛=8

B. Answer the following

1. Find the sum of the first ten terms of the arithmetic sequence 2 + 4 + 6 + ⋯
2. Find the sum of the first six terms of the arithmetic sequence 4, 0, −4, …
3. Find the sum of all even integers from 1 to 50.
4. Find the sum of the integers from 1 to 30 inclusive.
5. Find the sum of the odd integers from 1 to 61 inclusive.

LESSON 4

WORD PROBLEMS APPLYING ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

At this point, you have learned a lot on arithmetic sequence. You learned how to solve for
𝑡ℎ
the 𝑛 term of the arithmetic sequence, calculated the arithmetic mean and computed for the
arithmetic series. This time, you will be applying what you learned in some of the real life situations.

How to solve word problem? Here are some tips you need to understand so that you may know how
to solve it.
1. Identify - What is the question?
2. Plan - What strategy will I use to solve the problem?
3. Solve - Carry out your plan
4. Verify - Does my answer make sense?

Try to answer the word problem using the tips given.

Rose Nicole made deposits from her school allowances as follows: Php 10
on the first week, Php 15 on the second week, Php 20 on third week and so
on until she made 25 deposits. What was her last deposit?

1. Identify What was her last deposit?

What is the question? Given: 𝑎1 = 10; 𝑑 = 5; 𝑛 = 25
2. Plan Last deposit implies last term. Use the formula 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑.
What strategy will I use to solve the problem? Solve for 𝑎25 .
3. Solve 𝑎25 = 10 + (25 − 1)5

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Carry out your plan 𝑎25 = 10 + (24)5
𝑎25 = 10 + 120
𝑎25 = 130
Therefore, her last deposit was Php 130.
4. Verify 130 = 10 + (25 − 1)5
Does my answer make sense? 130 ≚ 130
Here is another problem.

A bakery worker receives a salary of Php 48,000 a year

with a contract of Php 300 increase annually for 8 years.
What is his total income for 8 years?

What is his total income for 8 years?

1. Identify
Given: 𝑎1 = 48,000; 𝑑 = 300; 𝑛 = 8; 𝑆8 =?
Total income implies arithmetic series. Use the formula
2. Plan 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]. Solve for 𝑆8 .
8
𝑆8 = [2(48,000) + (8 − 1)300]
2
8
𝑆8 = [96,000 + (7)300]
3. Solve 2
𝑆8 = 4[96,000 + 2,100]
𝑆8 = 4[98,100]
𝑆8 = 392,400
Therefore, his total income is Php 392,400.00 in 8 years.
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
4. Verify 8
392,400 = [2(48,000) + (8 − 1)300]
2
392,400 ≚ 392,400

Try this

Solve the following problem.

1. Christ David gets a starting salary of Php 20,000 a month and increase of Php 300 annually.
What will be his salary during the fifth year?

2. On the first day of each month, Ms. Aida deposits a fixed amount in a mutual fund. On June
1, her account balance was Php 1,000, and on December 1, her account balance will be Php
4,000. How much does she have deposited each month?

3. Room rentals in the city increases each year by Php 250 of the previous year’s rental. If a
room is rented for Php 2,000 this year, what is the amount of the rent in the 5th year?

4. Daniella Rose’s Father agreed to increase her monthly allowance. He gave her Php 300 on
the first month. Php 400 on the seconf month Php 500 on the third month and so on. How
much will Daniella Rose receive on the sixth month?

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5. A blacksmith offered to shoe a horse on the following cost: Php 2 for the first nail, Php 4 for
the second nail, Php 6 for the third nail, and so on. It there are 7 nails in each shoe, how
much would it cost to shoe a horse?

6. Drilling a well cost Php 500 for the first meter, Php 650 for the second meter, Php 800 for
the third meter and so on. What will be the cost of drilling a 10 meter deep well?
7. A pile of logs has 30 in the first layer, 29 in the second layer, 28 in the third layer, and so on.
How many logs are there in 15 layers?

8. In a theater, there are 15 seats in the first row and 30 rows in all. Each successive row
includes one additional seat. How many seats are in the theater?

Summary
1. An Arithmetic Sequence is a sequence in which each term is obtained by adding a constant
𝒅 to the preceding term. The constant term 𝑑 is called the common difference.

2. In the arithmetic sequence, the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term is defined as

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 where 𝑎1 = the first term

𝑎𝑛 = the last term
𝑛 = the number of terms
𝑑 = the common difference

3. In a three terms sequence, the middle number is called the arithmetic mean between the
other two. Likewise, any number of terms inserted between any given terms such that the
whole set of numbers will form an arithmetic sequence are arithmetic means.

4. An arithmetic series is the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence.

5. Tips in solving word problem.

1) Identify - What is the question?
2) Plan - What strategy will I use to solve the problem?
3) Solve - Carry out your plan
4) Verify - Does my answer make sense?

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 What have you learned
Choose the correct answer. Write the letter only.

1. Which of the sequence is an arithmetic sequence?

A. 3, 9, 27, 81, …
B. 3, 6, 9, 12, …
C. 1, 4, 9, 16, …
D. 3, 6, 12, 24, …

2. All the sequence are arithmetic sequence except:

A. 1, 2, 3, 4, …
B. 2, 4, 6, 8, …
C. 3, 15, 27, 39, …
1
D. 4, 2, 1, 2 , …

3. What is the next term of the arithmetic sequence 4, 8, 12, 16, …?

A. 18
B. 19
C. 20
D. 22

4. What is the 9th term of the arithmetic sequence 3, 7, 11, 15, …?

A. 35
B. 37
C. 38
D. 39

5. What is the arithmetic mean between 8 qnd 20?

A. 12
B. 14
C. 16
D. 18

6. Insert three arithmetic means between 7 and 23?

A. 8, 12 & 16
B. 9, 13 & 17
C. 10, 14 & 18
D. 11, 15 & 19

7. What is the sum of the first 5 terms of the arithmetic series when 𝑎1 = 2 and 𝑑 = −3?
A. -15
B. 15
C. 16
D. -16

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8. Find the sum of the first ten terms of the arithmetic series 3, 13, 23, 33, …
A. 380
B. 440
C. 480
D. 500

9. How many terms of the arithmetic series 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + ⋯ must be added so that the sum
will be 156?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16

10. Mr. Carpela gave his daughter Php 200 on her 8th birthday, and intends to increase this by
Php 100 each year. What is the total amount of money Mr. Carpela gave to his daughter on
her 18th birthday?
A. Her daughter receives the total amount of Php 7,500.
B. Her daughter receives the total amount of Php 8,500.
C. Her daughter receives the total amount of Php 9,500.
D. Her daughter receives the total amount of Php 10,500.

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 Answer Key

Checking how much you know B.

1. 12, 9, 6, 3
1. B 2. -9, -12
2. A 3. -11, -4, 3
4 8 10
3. C 4. , 2, , , 4
3 3 3
4. D 1 1 1 1
5. 7 2 , 7,6 2 , 6,5 2 , 5,4 2
5. B
6. D
7. C Try this
8. A Lesson 3
9. A
10. A A.
1. 𝑆12 = 258
Try this 2. 𝑆10 = −8.75
184
Lesson 1 3. 𝑆8 = 3

A. B.
1. 2, 4, 6, 8 1. 𝑆10 = 110
2. -4, -7, -10, -13 2. 𝑆6 = −36
2 17 32 47 3. 𝑆25 = 650
3. , , ,
3 3 3 3 4. 𝑆30 = 465
5. 𝑛 = 31 𝑆31 = 992
B.
1. 𝑑 =1
Try this
2. 𝑑 =3
1 Lesson 4
3. 𝑑 = −2
4. 𝑑 = −3 1. Christ David’s salary will be Php 32,000
5. 𝑑 =2 on the 5th year.

C. 2. She deposited Php 500 each month.

1. 𝑎10 = 13
5
2. 𝑎7 = − 3 3. In the 5th year, the room’s rent is Php
3. 𝑎12 = 16 300.
4. 𝑎35 = 350
5. 𝑑=3 4. Daniella Rose will receive Php 1,100 on
the 6th month.
Try this
Lesson 2 5. It costs Php 210 to shoe a horse.

A. 6. The drilling will cost Php 11,750.

1. 18
2. 1 7. There are 555 logs in 15 layers.
3. 23
4. 7.18 8. There are 885 chairs in the theater.
5. 3√2

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 What have you learned

1. B
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. A
8. C
9. B
10. A

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References:
BOOK

Soledad Jose-Dilao, Ed.D. Julieta G. Bernabel, (2002). Intermediate Algebra Textbook for Second
Year, Quezon City, JTW Corporation

WEBSITES

http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_ArithSeries.xml

https://www.purplemath.com/modules/series4.htm

https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/math-problem-solving-strategies.html

IMAGES

https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vectors/coins-philippine-peso-vectors

Prepared by:

SHEILA O. CARPELA
Master Teacher I - Mathematics
Cabancalan National High School
Cabancalan, Mandaue City

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