Chapter 3
Chapter 3
LEARNING OUTCOME:
At the end of this topic, students are able to:
i. understand the terms involve in sequence and series.
ii. use the suitable formula in writing the pattern of sequence.
iii. perform the right idea on expansion of Binomial Series.
INTRODUCTION:
Many real world processes generate lists of numbers. For instance, the balance in a bank account
at the end of each month, the interest earned each month when you deposit a sum of money into
your account, the height of bouncing balls over certain time and so on.
If the sequence goes on forever it is called an infinite sequence, otherwise it is a finite sequence
Example:
{1, 2, 3, 4 ,...} is a very simple sequence (and it is an infinite sequence)
{1, 3, 5, 7} is the sequence of the first 4 odd numbers (and is a finite sequence)
Notation
Sequences also use the same notation as sets:
list each element, separated by a comma,
and then put curly brackets around the whole thing.
Example: {3, 5, 7, ...}
Sequence term
𝑥𝑛 is the term
𝑛 is the term number
Example: to mention the "5th term" you just write: 𝑥5
In other words, you just add some value each time ... on to infinity.
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)
where:
𝑎 is the first term, and
𝑑 is the difference between the terms (called the "common difference")
𝑑 = 𝑥𝑛+1 − 𝑥𝑛
Solution:
i. 𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 3
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)
𝑥𝑛 = 1 + 3(𝑛 − 1)
𝑥𝑛 = 1 + 3𝑛 − 3
𝑥𝑛 = 3𝑛 − 2 ⋕
ii. 𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 2
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎 + 2(𝑛 − 1)
𝑥𝑛 = 1 + 2(𝑛 − 1)
𝑥𝑛 = 1 + 2𝑛 − 2
𝑥𝑛 = 2𝑛 − 1 ⋕
Solution:
i. 𝑎 = 3, 𝑑 = 4
Solution:
i. When common difference needed, surely it comes from arithmetic sequence. Therefore,
the formula related is
𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑 (𝑛 − 1)
ii. 𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑 (𝑛 − 1)
𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑 (𝑛 − 1)
1 1
= + (𝑛 − 1)
2 2
1
= 2𝑛 ⋕
2) Geometric Sequences
In a Geometric Sequence each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant.
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
where:
𝑎 is the first term, and
𝑟 is the factor between the terms (called the ‘’common ratio’’)
𝑥
𝑟 = 𝑥𝑛+1
𝑛
Solution:
i. 𝑎 = 2, 𝑟 = 2
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑥𝑛 = 2(2𝑛−1 )
𝑥𝑛 = 21 (2𝑛−1 )
𝑥𝑛 = 21+𝑛−1
𝑥 𝑛 = 2𝑛 ⋕
ii. 𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 3
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑥𝑛 = 1(3𝑛−1 )
𝑥𝑛 = 3𝑛−1 ⋕
Example F:
i. Find the nth term of the geometric sequence whose initial term 𝑎 = 3, and common ratio
𝑟 = 4. Hence find the value of 7th term.
ii. Given the geometric sequence {3𝑛 }, find the common ratio, and the 8th term and list down
the first four terms.
Solution:
i. 𝑎 = 2, 𝑟 = 4
Example G:
i. Find the initial term and the common ratio if the 12th term is 53 and 16the term is 69.
ii. Find 𝑎 and 𝑟 if 𝑥1 = 4 and 𝑥4 = 108
Solution:
i. When common ratio needed, surely it comes from geometric sequence. Therefore, the
formula related is
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
Solve simultaneously
(2) ÷ (1) ∶
𝑎𝑟14 2048
=
𝑎𝑟12 512
𝑎1−1 𝑟14−12 = 4
𝑟2 = 4
2
𝑟 = √4 ⇒𝑟=2⋕
From (1):
𝑎(212−1 ) = 512
512 1
𝑎 = 2048 ⇒ 𝑎 = 4 ⋕
ii. 𝑥1 = 𝑎 = 4 ⋕
𝑥4 = 4𝑟 4−1 = 108
4𝑟 3 = 108
𝑟 3 = 27
𝑟=3⋕
3) Other
(a) Sequence including Radical
Solution:
i. 1 = √1
1, √2, √3, √4, … = √1, √2, √3, √4, …
In this example, the value in the radical is 1,2,3,4,…
Which is arithmetic sequence. Therefore,
𝑥𝑛 = √𝑎 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)
𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 1
𝑥𝑛 = √1 + 1(𝑛 − 1)
𝑥𝑛 = √1 + 𝑛 − 1
𝑥 𝑛 = √𝑛 ⋕
4 8 16 2 4 8 16
ii. 2, , , ,… = , , , ,…
√ 3 √5 √ 7 √ 1 √ 3 √5 √7
𝑦𝑛
𝑥𝑛 =
√𝑧𝑛
Numerator:
𝑎 = 2, 𝑟 = 2
𝑦𝑛 = 2(2𝑛−1 ) = 21 (2𝑛−1 ) = 2𝑛
Denominator:
𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 2
√𝑧𝑛 = √1 + 2(𝑛 − 1) = √1 + 2𝑛 − 2 = √2𝑛 − 1
2𝑛
𝑥𝑛 = ⋕
√2𝑛 − 1
(b) Different sign sequence
𝑥𝑛 = (−1)𝑛+1
Solution:
i. Clearly see sequence of +ve and –ve among all number 2.
𝑥𝑛 = (−1)𝑛+1 ∙ 2
𝑥𝑛 = 2(−1)𝑛+1 ⋕
𝑥𝑛 = (−1)𝑛+1 (3𝑛 − 1) ⋕
If {𝑎𝑛 } and {𝑏𝑛 } are two sequences and 𝑐 is a real number, then
𝑛 𝑛
1. ∑ 𝑐 = ∑ 𝑐
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛 𝑛
2. ∑(𝑐𝑎𝑘 ) = 𝑐 ∑ 𝑎𝑘
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
3. ∑(𝑎𝑘 + 𝑏𝑘 ) = ∑ 𝑎𝑘 + ∑ 𝑏𝑘
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
4. ∑(𝑎𝑘 − 𝑏𝑘 ) = ∑ 𝑎𝑘 − ∑ 𝑏𝑘
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛 𝑗 𝑛
Example J: Write the following summation of sequence following the properties given above
4 6
i. ∑7 iii. ∑ (5𝑘 2 − 4𝑘 + 6)
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
5 7
1
ii. ∑ (4𝑘 + 3) iv. ∑ (𝑘 3 − 𝑘 2 − 7𝑘 − 3)
2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
Solution:
4 4
i. ∑ 7 = ∑ 7 ⋕
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
5 5 5 5 5
ii. ∑ (4𝑘 + 3) = ∑ 4𝑘 + ∑ 3 = 4 ∑ 𝑘 + ∑ 3 ⋕
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
6 6 6 6 6 6 6
2 2 2
iii. ∑ (5𝑘 − 4𝑘 + 6) = ∑ 5𝑘 − ∑ 4𝑘 + ∑ 6 = 5 ∑ 𝑘 − 4 ∑ 𝑘 + ∑ 3 ⋕
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
7 7 7 7 7
1 1
iv. ∑ (𝑘 − 𝑘 2 − 7𝑘 − 3) = ∑ 𝑘 3 − ∑ 𝑘 2 − ∑ 7𝑘 − ∑ 3
3
2 2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
7 7 7 7
1
= ∑ 𝑘3 − ∑ 𝑘2 − 7 ∑ 𝑘 − ∑ 3 ⋕
2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
If {𝑎𝑛 } and {𝑏𝑛 } are two sequences and 𝑐 is a real number, then
𝑛
1. ∑ 𝑐 = 𝑐𝑛
𝑘=1
𝑛
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
2. ∑ 𝑘 =
2
𝑘=1
𝑛
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1)
3. ∑ 𝑘 2 =
6
𝑘=1
𝑛
𝑛(𝑛 + 1) 2
4. ∑ 𝑘 3 = ( )
2
𝑘=1
i. ∑ 5𝑘 iii. ∑(𝑘 2 − 𝑘 + 2)
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
4 5
Solution:
3 3
i. ∑ 5𝑘 = 5 ∑ 𝑘
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
= 5( )
2
3(3 + 1)
= 5( )
2
3(4)
= 5( )
2
12
= 5( )
2
= 5 (6)
= 30 ⋕
4 4 4
ii. ∑ (3𝑘 + 2) = ∑ 3𝑘 + ∑ 2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
4 4
= 3∑𝑘 +∑2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
= 3( ) + 2𝑛
2
4(4 + 1)
= 3( ) + 2(4)
2
4(5)
= 3( )+8
2
20
= 3( )+8
2
= 3(10) + 8 = 38 ⋕
4 4 4 4
2 2
iii. ∑ (𝑘 − 𝑘 + 2) = ∑ 𝑘 − ∑ 𝑘 + ∑ 2
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(2𝑛 + 1) 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
= − + 2𝑛
6 2
4(4 + 1)(2(4) + 1) 4(4 + 1)
= − + 2(4)
6 2
4(5)(8 + 1) 4(5)
= − +8
6 2
= 30 − 10 + 8 = 28 ⋕
5
iv. ∑(−2𝑘 3 + 𝑘 2 + 5𝑘 − 6)
𝑘=1
5 5 5 5
3 2
= −2 ∑ 𝑘 + ∑ 𝑘 + 5 ∑ 𝑘 – ∑ 6
𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1 𝑘=1
= −450 + 55 + 75 − 30
= −350 ⋕
{2,4,6,8,10, … } ⇒ Sequence
2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + ⋯ ⇒ Series
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑎 + 𝑑 ) + (𝑎 + 2𝑑 ) + (𝑎 + 3𝑑 ) + ⋯ + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
The formula for the nth term and the sum for arithmetic series are:
𝑥 𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑑 (𝑛 − 1)
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
Solution:
i. 𝑎 = 1, 𝑑 = 4 − 1 = 3
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 1 + 4 + 7 + 10 + ⋯ + (3𝑛 − 2) = [2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
𝑛
= [2(1) + (𝑛 − 1)3]
2
𝑛
= [2 + 3𝑛 − 3]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 [3𝑛 − 1] ⋕
ii. 𝑎 = 3, 𝑑 = 5 − 3 = 2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + ⋯ + (2𝑛 + 1) = [2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + ⋯ + (2𝑛 + 1) = [2(3) + (𝑛 − 1)2]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + ⋯ + (2𝑛 + 1) = [6 + 2𝑛 − 2]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑛 + 4] ⋕
2
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑎𝑟 + 𝑎𝑟 2 + 𝑎𝑟 3 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
The formula for the nth term and the sum for geometric series are:
𝑥𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
Solution:
i. 𝑎=1
3
𝑟= =3 (𝑟 > 1)
1
𝑎(𝑟 𝑛 − 1) 1(3𝑛 − 1) 3𝑛 − 1
𝑆𝑛 = 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 + ⋯ + 𝑛 = = = ⋕
𝑟−1 3−1 2
ii. 𝑎=1
1
1
𝑑= 2= (𝑟 < 1)
1 2
1 𝑛 1 𝑛
1 1 1 1 𝑛−1
𝑎(1 − 𝑟 )𝑛 1 (1 − (2) ) 1 − ( 2)
𝑆𝑛 = 1 + + + + ⋯ + ( ) = = =
2 4 8 2 1−𝑟 1 1
1 − ( 2) ( 2)
1 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 (1 − ( ) ) ⋕
2
Example N:
a) Find the sum of infinite series below
1 1 1
+ + +⋯
2 4 8
1 1 1
b) 2 + 2 + 8 + 32 + ⋯
Solution:
1
1 4 1
a) 𝑎 = 2, 𝑟= 1 =2 ⇒𝑟<1
2
Since 𝑟 < 1, series is converge
Therefore the sum of infinite series,
1
𝑎
𝑆∞ = = 2 =1⋕
1−𝑟 1−1
2
1
2 1
b) i) 𝑎 = 2, 𝑟 = =4
2
1 10 1 10
𝑎(1−𝑟 𝑛) 2(1−( ) ) 2(1−( ) )
4 4
𝑆10 = = 1 = 3
1−𝑟 1−( )
4 4
8 1 10 8
= (1 − ( ) ) = (0.9999) = 2.6667 ⋕
3 4 3
1
ii) When 𝑟 = 4 < 1 ⇒ The series converge
Solution:
a) 0.68 68 68 68 …
= 0.68 + 0.00 68 + 0.00 00 68
From this,
0.00 68
𝑎 = 0.68, 𝑟 = = 0.01
0.68
Thus by using
𝑎 0.68 68
𝑆∞ = = = ⋕
1 − 𝑟 1 − 0.01 99
From this,
0.000 201
𝑎 = 0.201, 𝑟 = = 0.001
0.201
Thus by using
𝑎 0.201 67
𝑆∞ = = = ⋕
1 − 𝑟 1 − 0.001 333
EXERCISE:
1. Write the first five terms of the arithmetic sequences.
(a) an 5n 3
n
1
(b) an
2
n
1
(c) an
2
3n 2 n 4
(d) an
2n 2 1
(e) an 1 (1) n
7. Write the pattern for the apparent 𝑛th terms of the sequences.
(a) 3,7,11,15,19,...
(b) 2,4,6,8,10,...
1 1 1 1
(c) , , , ,...
2 4 8 16
1 1 1 1
(d) 1, , , , , ,...
2 6 24 120
2 2 23 2 4 25
(e) 2, , , , ,...
3 6 27 81
1 3 7 15 31
(f) 1 ,1 ,1 ,1 ,1 ,...
2 4 8 16 32
6
(d) (k
k 1
3
2k 2 k )
4 5
(e) (2i
i 1
3
) ( j 2 4)
j 1
PROBLEM:
1. Object Drop
An object is dropped from an airplane and falls 30 feet during the first second. During each
successive second it falls 44 feet more than in the preceding second. How many feet does it
travel during first 10 seconds? How far does it fall during tenth second?
2. Bacterial Culture
A certain bacterial culture doubles in number every day. If there were 1000 bacteria at the end
of the first day, how many will be there after 8 days? How many after 𝑛 days?
3. Area of Circle
1
The largest circle has radius A1 B 1 . The next circle has A2 B A1B , the one after that has
2
1
radius A3 B A2 B , and so on. If these circles continue endlessly in this manner, what is the
2
sum of the areas of all the circles?