LESSON 1: Arithmetic Sequence

What to Reflect and Understand

1. Mathematically speaking, the next term cannot be determined by giving only the first
finite number of terms of a general sequence. Explain this fact by giving an example.
It is impossible to determine the next term of the arithmetic sequence by giving only the
first finite number of terms. This is because we cant have the common difference.
Example I.
2,4,__,
We cant assume that the common difference of this is 2. We can have any number
on the third term since the difference is not indicated. Also, we can try to multiply by 2
for every sequence to be a geometric sequence.
Example II. ,,,,,,,,,__
If the sequence of the number of hearts is 1,2,3 (adding 1) then the next term is .
If the sequence of the number of hearts is 1,2,4 (multiplying 2), the next figure will be .
2. Make a concept map for arithmetic sequences.

An arithmetic sequence is
a sequence where every
term after the first term is
obtained by adding a
constant called the
common difference.

Definition Formula

ARITHMETIC

The nth term of an

arithmetic sequence is
defined as an= a1+ (n-1)d
Where a1 is the first term,
an is the nth term and d is
the common difference.

SEQUENCE
-2, 1, 4, 7, 10,
+3 +3 +3 +3

9, 7.5, 6, 4.5, 3

-4, -3, -1, 2, 6

Examples Non Examples

+1 +2 + 3 +4

1, 2, 4, 8, 16

-1.5 -1.5 -1.5 -1.5

x2 x2 x2 x2

3. Using the formula for arithmetic sequence, an= a1+ (n-1)d

a. a1
b. an
c. d
and show how each can be found.
a. The 16th term of an arithmetic sequence is 48. If the common
difference is 3, find the first term.
Substitute the values in the formula
a1 = ?
an = 48
n = 16

d=3

an = a1 + (n 1)d
48 = a1 + (16 1)3
48 = a1 + 15(3)
48 = a1 + 45
48 45 = a1
3 = a1
b. Find the 11th term of the arithmetic sequence 3, 4, 5,
Substitute the values in the formula

a1 = 3

an = ?

n = 11

d=1

an = a1 + (n 1)d
a11 = 3 + (11 1)1
a11 = 3 + (10)1
a11 = 3 + 10
a11 = 13
4. What should be the value of x so that x+2, 3x-2, 7x-12 will form an arithmetic sequence?
an = a1+ (n-1)d
x+2, 3x-2, 7x-12
7x-12 = x+2 + (3-1)(4x-10)
7x-12 = x+2+8x-20
7x-9x = 2-20+12
-2x = -6
The value of x is
x = -6/-2
3.
x=3
5. Find the value of x when the arithmetic mean of x+2 and 4x+5 is 3x+2.
an = a1+ (n-1)d
4x+5= x+2+(2)(x+3)
4x+5=x+2+2x+6
4x+5=3x+8
The value of x is
4x-3x = 8-5
3.
X=3
6. It is alarming that many people now are being affected by HIV. As the president of the
student body in your school, you invited people to give a five-day series of talks on HIV
and its prevention every first Friday of the month from 12 noon to 1 pm in the
auditorium. On the first day, 20 students came. Finding the talk interesting, these 20
students shared the talk to other students and 10 more students came on the second day,
another 10 more students came on the third day, and so on.
a. Assuming that the number of participants continues to increase in the same manner,
make a table representing the number of participants from day 1 of the talk until day
5.
Day

No of Participants

20

30

40

50

60

Talks on HIV
60
40
20
0

No. of Participants

b. Represent the data in the table using a formula. Use the formula to justify your data in
the table.
Let n= number of days
an= number of participants

Formula: an= 10n+10 or an=10(n+1)

Justification: 4th day, 50 participants
10(4)+10
40+10=50
c. You feel that there is still a need to extend the series of talk, so you decided to
continue it for three more days. If the pattern continues where there are 10 additional
students for each talk, how many students in all attended the talk on HIV?
Day

No. of Participants

70

80

90

S8=(20+90)(8)/2

440 students attended

the talk on HIV.

S8=440

Reality Series
Create a well-developed Reality Series considering the following steps:
1. Choose a real life situation which involves arithmetic sequences. You could research online or
create your own. Be sure to choose what interests your group the most to make your reality series
not only interesting but also entertaining.
2. Produce diagrams or pictures that will help others see what is taking place in the situation or
the scenario you have chosen.
3. Prepare the necessary table to present the important data in your situation and the correct
formula and steps to solve the problem.
4. Write your own questions and the corresponding answers about the situation.

Mindy wanted to buy a three packs of Hersheys kisses for her mother as a birthday gift. Each
pack is worth Php350 each. She only have three months to save money before her mothers
special day. Mindy receives Php80 allowance for school but keeps 1/4 of it every day. For now,
she has Php50 in her pocket and decided to keep it. Every week, she adds her savings from her
allowance to her initial saving. What week can she buy the chocolate?

WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
n
SUBSTITUTING:
a1 = 50 +100

SAVINGS
50+100
100
100
100
100
1050

= 150
d = 100
an = 350(3)
= 1050
n = week that Mindy can already buy her gift

SOLUTION
an = a1 + (n-1)d
n = a1
1050 = 150 + (n-1)100
1050 = 150 + 100n - 100
1050 = 50 + 100n
1050 50 = 100n
1000 = 100n
10 = n

Answer: Mindy can buy the chocolate on the 10th week.