Sequence and Series [254 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 6] SPM.2.SL.TZ0.3

On 1st January 2020, Laurie invests $P in an account that pays a nominal annual
interest rate of 5.5 %, compounded quarterly.

The amount of money in Laurie’s account at the end of each year follows a
geometric sequence with common ratio, r.

(a) Find the value of r, giving your answer to four significant

figures. [3]

(b) Laurie makes no further deposits to or withdrawals from the

account.

Find the year in which the amount of money in Laurie’s account

will become double the amount she invested. [3]

2. [Maximum mark: 6] EXN.1.SL.TZ0.4

The first three terms of an arithmetic sequence are u 1 , 5u 1 − 8 and 3u 1 + 8.

(a) Show that u 1 = 4. [2]

(b) Prove that the sum of the first n terms of this arithmetic
sequence is a square number. [4]

3. [Maximum mark: 12] EXN.2.SL.TZ0.7

Helen and Jane both commence new jobs each starting on an annual salary of
$70, 000. At the start of each new year, Helen receives an annual salary
increase of $2400.
 Let $H n represent Helen’s annual salary at the start of her nth year of
employment.
(a) Show that H n = 2400n + 67 600. [2]

At the start of each new year, Jane receives an annual salary increase of 3% of
her previous year’s annual salary.

Jane’s annual salary, $J n , at the start of her nth year of employment is given by
n−1
J n = 70 000(1. 03) .

(b) Given that J n follows a geometric sequence, state the value of

the common ratio, r. [1]

At the start of year N , Jane’s annual salary exceeds Helen’s annual salary for
the first time.

(c.i) Find the value of N . [3]

(c.ii) For the value of N found in part (c) (i), state Helen’s annual
salary and Jane’s annual salary, correct to the nearest dollar. [2]

(d) Find Jane’s total earnings at the start of her 10th year of
employment. Give your answer correct to the nearest dollar. [4]

4. [Maximum mark: 4] 24M.1.SL.TZ1.1

The second term of an arithmetic sequence is 10 and the fourth term is 22.

(a) Find the value of the common difference. [2]

(b) Find an expression for u n , the n th term. [2]

5. [Maximum mark: 5] 24M.1.SL.TZ1.6

Consider a geometric sequence with first term 1 and common ratio 10.
 Sn is the sum of the first n terms of the sequence.
n

(a) Find an expression for S n in the form a −1

, where
b

a, b ∈ Z
+
. [1]

(b) Hence, show that

n
10(10 −1)−9n
S1 + S2 + S3 + … + Sn =
81
. [4]

6. [Maximum mark: 16] 24M.1.SL.TZ2.9

Consider the arithmetic sequence a, p, q … , where a, p, q ≠ 0.

(a) Show that 2p − q = a. [2]

Consider the geometric sequence a, s, t … , where a, s, t ≠ 0.

(b) Show that s 2 = at. [2]

The first term of both sequences is a.

It is given that q = t = 1.

(c) Show that p >

1
. [2]
2

Consider the case where a = 9, s > 0 and q = t = 1.

(d) Write down the first four terms of the

(d.i) arithmetic sequence; [2]

(d.ii) geometric sequence. [2]

The arithmetic and the geometric sequence are used to form a new arithmetic
sequence u n .

The first three terms of u n are u 1 = 9 + ln 9, u 2 = 5 + ln 3, and

u 3 = 1 + ln 1.
 (e.i) Find the common difference of the new sequence in terms of
ln 3. [3]

(e.ii) Show that ∑ i=1

10
= −90 − 25 ln 3. [3]

7. [Maximum mark: 7] 24M.2.AHL.TZ1.1

Darren buys a car for $35 000. The value of the car decreases by 15 % in the
first year.

(a) Find the value of the car at the end of the first year. [2]

After the first year, the value of the car decreases by 11 % in each subsequent
year.

(b) Find the value of Darren’s car 10 years after he buys it, giving
your answer to the nearest dollar. [2]

When Darren has owned the car for n complete years, the value of the car is less
than 10 % of its original value.

(c) Find the least value of n. [3]

8. [Maximum mark: 7] 23N.1.SL.TZ1.4

The sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence is given by
− qn, where p and q are positive constants.
2
Sn = pn

It is given that S 5 = 65 and S 6 = 96.

(a) Find the value of p and the value of q. [5]

(b) Find the value of u 6 . [2]

9. [Maximum mark: 15] 23N.2.SL.TZ1.8
Give your answers to parts (a)(ii), (c)(i) and (d) correct to two decimal places.

Daniela and Sorin have each recently received some money. Daniela won a cash
prize and Sorin received an inheritance.

Daniela had two options to choose from to receive her winnings. In both options
she receives a payment on the first day of each month for three years.

Option A Each payment is $4200.

Option B The first payment is $1500. In each month which follows, the
payment is 4% more than the previous month.

(a) Find the total amount Daniela would receive if she chooses

(a.i) Option A; [2]

(a.ii) Option B. [3]

Sorin received an inheritance of $160 000. Sorin invested his inheritance in an

account that pays a nominal annual interest rate of 5% per annum,
compounded monthly. The interest is added on the last day of each month.

(b) Write down an expression for the value of Sorin’s investment

after n years. [1]

Daniela chose Option B and received her first payment on 1st January 2023. Sorin
invested his inheritance on the same day.

(c.i) Find the total value of Daniela’s winnings and Sorin’s

investment on the last day of the sixth month. [3]

(c.ii) Find the minimum number of complete months before the total
value of Daniela’s winnings and Sorin’s investment is at least
$257 000. [3]
 At the end of the three years, Daniela invested $30 000 for a further six years in
a second account that pays a nominal interest rate of r% per annum
compounded quarterly.

(d) Find the value of r if this investment grows to $41 000 after
six years. [3]

10. [Maximum mark: 14] 23M.1.SL.TZ1.8

Consider the arithmetic sequence u 1 , u 2 , u 3 , … .

The sum of the first n terms of this sequence is given by S n = n

2
+ 4n.

(a.i) Find the sum of the first five terms. [2]

(a.ii) Given that S 6 = 60, find u 6 . [2]

(b) Find u 1 . [2]

(c) Hence or otherwise, write an expression for u n in terms of n. [3]

Consider a geometric sequence, v n , where v 2 = u1 and v 4 = u6 .

(d) Find the possible values of the common ratio, r. [3]

(e) Given that v 99 < 0, find v 5 . [2]

11. [Maximum mark: 14] 23M.1.AHL.TZ1.10

Consider the arithmetic sequence u 1 , u 2 , u 3 , … .

The sum of the first n terms of this sequence is given by S n = n

2
+ 4n.

(a.i) Find the sum of the first five terms. [2]

 (a.ii) Given that S 6 = 60, find u 6 . [2]

(b) Find u 1 . [2]

(c) Hence or otherwise, write an expression for u n in terms of n. [3]

Consider a geometric sequence, v n , where v 2 = u1 and v 4 = u6 .

(d) Find the possible values of the common ratio, r. [3]

(e) Given that v 99 < 0, find v 5 . [2]

12. [Maximum mark: 6] 23M.2.SL.TZ1.2

t
The value of a car is given by the function C = 40 000(0. 91) , where t is in
years since 1 January 2023 and C is in USD ($).

(a) Write down the annual rate of depreciation of the car. [1]

(b) Find the value of the car on 1 January 2028. [2]

Alvie wants to buy this car. On 1 January 2023, he invested $15 000 in an
account that earns 3% annual interest compounded yearly. He makes no further
deposits to, or withdrawals from, the account.

Alvie wishes to buy this car for its value on 1 January 2028. In addition to the
money in his account, he will need an extra $M .

(c) Find the value of M . [3]

13. [Maximum mark: 5] 22N.2.SL.TZ0.4

geometric sequence has a first term of 50 and a fourth term of 86. 4.

The sum of the first n terms of the sequence is S n .

 Find the smallest value of n such that S n > 33 500. [5]

14. [Maximum mark: 5] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.2

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by u n = 15 − 3n.

(a) State the value of the first term, u 1 . [1]

(b) Given that the nth term of this sequence is −33, find the value
of n. [2]

(c) Find the common difference, d. [2]

15. [Maximum mark: 18] 22M.1.AHL.TZ1.10

Consider the series ln x + p ln x +
1

3
ln x + …, where x ∈ R, x > 1

and p ∈ R, p ≠ 0.

Consider the case where the series is geometric.

(a.i) Show that p = ±

1
. [2]
√3

(a.ii) Hence or otherwise, show that the series is convergent. [1]

(a.iii) Given that p > 0 and S ∞ = 3 + √ 3, find the value of x. [3]

Now consider the case where the series is arithmetic with common difference d.

(b.i) Show that p =

2
. [3]
3

(b.ii) Write down d in the form k ln x, where k ∈ Q. [1]

(b.iii) The sum of the first n terms of the series is ln( 1 3

).
x
 Find the value of n. [8]

16. [Maximum mark: 6] 22M.2.SL.TZ1.1

In this question, give all answers correct to two decimal places.

Sam invests $1700 in a savings account that pays a nominal annual rate of
interest of 2. 74%, compounded half-yearly. Sam makes no further payments
to, or withdrawals from, this account.

(a) Find the amount that Sam will have in his account after 10
years. [3]

David also invests $1700 in a savings account that pays an annual rate of
interest of r%, compounded yearly. David makes no further payments or
withdrawals from this account.

(b) Find the value of r required so that the amount in David’s

account after 10 years will be equal to the amount in Sam’s
account. [2]

(c) Find the interest David will earn over the 10 years. [1]

17. [Maximum mark: 15] 21N.1.SL.TZ0.8

Consider the function f (x) = a
x
where x, a ∈ R and x > 0, a > 1.

The graph of f contains the point ( 23 , 4).

(a) Show that a = 8. [2]

(b) Write down an expression for f −1 (x). [1]

(c)
Find the value of f −1 (√32).
 [3]

Consider the arithmetic sequence

log 8 27 , log 8 p , log 8 q , log 8 125 , where p > 1 and q > 1.

(d.i) Show that 27, p, q and 125 are four consecutive terms in a
geometric sequence. [4]

(d.ii) Find the value of p and the value of q. [5]

18. [Maximum mark: 9] 21N.2.SL.TZ0.6

The sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence is given by
n
r
2 7
Sn = Σ
3
(
8
) .
r=1

(a) Find the first term of the sequence, u 1 . [2]

(b) Find S ∞ . [3]

(c) Find the least value of n such that S ∞ − S n < 0. 001. [4]

19. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.3

Consider an arithmetic sequence where u 8 = S 8 = 8. Find the
value of the first term, u 1 , and the value of the common difference, d. [5]

20. [Maximum mark: 16] 21M.2.SL.TZ1.7

Two friends Amelia and Bill, each set themselves a target of saving $20 000.
They each have $9000 to invest.
 Amelia invests her $9000 in an account that offers an interest rate of 7% per
annum compounded annually.

(a.i) Find the value of Amelia’s investment after 5 years to the

nearest hundred dollars. [3]

(a.ii) Determine the number of years required for Amelia’s

investment to reach the target. [2]

(b) Bill invests his $9000 in an account that offers an interest rate
of r% per annum compounded monthly, where r is set to two
decimal places.

Find the minimum value of r needed for Bill to reach the target
after 10 years. [3]

A third friend Chris also wants to reach the $20 000 target. He puts his money in
a safe where he does not earn any interest. His system is to add more money to
this safe each year. Each year he will add half the amount added in the previous
year.

(c.i) Show that Chris will never reach the target if his initial deposit is
$9000. [5]

(c.ii) Find the amount Chris needs to deposit initially in order to

reach the target after 5 years. Give your answer to the nearest
dollar. [3]

21. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.2.SL.TZ2.3

An arithmetic sequence has first term 60 and common difference −2. 5.

(a) Given that the kth term of the sequence is zero, find the value
of k. [2]

(b) Let S n denote the sum of the first n terms of the sequence.
 Find the maximum value of S n .
[3]

22. [Maximum mark: 5] 20N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_5

The first term in an arithmetic sequence is 4 and the fifth term is
log 2 625.

Find the common difference of the sequence, expressing your answer

in the form log 2 p, where p ∈ Q. [5]

23. [Maximum mark: 7] 19N.2.SL.TZ0.S_5

The first two terms of a geometric sequence are u 1 = 2.1 and u 2 = 2.226.

(a) Find the value of r. [2]

(b) Find the value of u 10 . [2]

(c) Find the least value of n such that S n > 5543. [3]

24. [Maximum mark: 5] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_1

A geometric sequence has u 4 = −70 and u 7 = 8.75. Find the

second term of the sequence. [5]

25. [Maximum mark: 7] 19M.2.SL.TZ1.S_7

The first terms of an infinite geometric sequence, u n , are 2, 6, 18, 54, …

The first terms of a second infinite geometric sequence, v n , are 2, −6, 18, −54, …

The terms of a third sequence, w n , are defined as w n = un + vn .

 225 m

The finite series, ∑ w k , can also be written in the form ∑ 4r

k
.
k=1 k=0

(a) Write down the first three non-zero terms of w n . [3]

(b.i) Find the value of r. [2]

(b.ii) Find the value of m. [2]

26. [Maximum mark: 12] 19M.2.SL.TZ2.S_10

In an arithmetic sequence, u 1 = 1.3 , u 2 = 1.4 and u k = 31.2.

(b) Find the exact value of S k . [2]

Consider the terms, u n , of this sequence such that n ≤ k.

Let F be the sum of the terms for which n is not a multiple of 3.

(c) Show that F = 3240. [5]

(d) An infinite geometric series is given as

a a
+ …, a ∈ Z .
+
S∞ = a + +
√2 2

Find the largest value of a such that S ∞ < F. [5]

27. [Maximum mark: 17] 19M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_11

Consider the equation x 5 − 3x
4
+ mx
3
+ nx
2
+ px + q = 0, where

m, n, p, q ∈ R.

The equation has three distinct real roots which can be written as log 2 a,
log 2 b and log 2 c.

The equation also has two imaginary roots, one of which is di where d ∈ R.
 (a) Show that abc = 8. [5]

The values a, b, and c are consecutive terms in a geometric sequence.

(b) Show that one of the real roots is equal to 1. [3]

(c) Given that q = 8d

2
, find the other two real roots. [9]

28. [Maximum mark: 5] 18N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_1

Consider a geometric sequence with a first term of 4 and a fourth term of −2.916.

(a) Find the common ratio of this sequence. [3]

(b) Find the sum to infinity of this sequence. [2]

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