Sequences A sequence is a collection of terms arranged in a specific order, where each term is oblained according (0 a rule. Examples of some simple sequences are given below: 2,4,6,8, 10 1,4,9, 16,25 1,2,4,8, 16 1,1,2,3,5,8 1,8,27,64,125 10,5,3,4,3 You could discuss with another student the rules involyed in producing the sequences above. The terms of a sequence can be expressed as ty, ty Us, vs My where: wis the first term gis the second term uy is the nth term Therefore in the sequence 2, 4,6, 8, 10, 4 = 2.4, = 4, etc. © Arithmetic sequences In an arithmetic sequence there is a common difference (@) between successive terms. Examples of some arithmetic sequences are given below: Formulae for the terms of an arithmetic sequence There are two main ways of describing a sequence. 1. A term-to-term rule In the following sequence, q 12 7 22 7 Pe ‘the term-to-term rule is +5, Le. uy =u, + 5,15 = uy + Sete, ‘The general form is therefore written as 44 = uy + 5. a, = 7, where u, is the nth term and u,,; the term after the nth term. Note: Itis important to give one of the terms, e.g, 14, 90 that the exact sequence can be generated. ©Algebra and graphs 2. A formula for the mth term of a sequence ‘This type of rule links each term to its position in the sequence, 2, Position 1 92 3 4 5 Term 7 2 7 2 We can deduce from the figures above that each term can be calculated by multiplying its position number by 5 and adding 2. Algebraically this ean be written as the formula for the nth term: y= Sn +2 This texthook focuses on the generation and use of the rule for the nth term, With an arithmetic sequence, the rule for the nth term can easily be deduced by looking at the common difference, e.g. Position 1 2 3a 4 5 Term 1 5 9 13, W7 +4 +4 +4 +4 Position ‘Term by which 7 is multiplied). The constant is then worked out by calculating the number needed to make the term. Worked example Find the rule for the nth term of the sequence 12, 7,2, -3, -8,Sequences Exercise 15.1 1. For each of the following sequences: i) deduce the formula for the nth term i) calculate the 10th term a) 5,8,11,14,17 b) 0,4,8, 12,16 ©) $15, 23.35.45 d) 6,3,0,~3, O-,-4-L25 f) -9,~13, 2. Copy and complete each of the following tables of arithmetic sequences: 6 17, -21, -25 ®) [Position | 1] 2 | 5 so] Term 5 an 3 1T2]5 2 59 [49 | en—1 ©) [Position [1 100 | Term 0 47, —nt3 1 3 2 24 | -294 ©) [Position 5 7 2 Term i 3. For each of the following arithmetic sequences: i) deduce the common difference d ii) give the formula for the nth term iii) calculate the S0th term. a) 5,9,13,17, 21 b) 0, fa ee d) wy ©) = ~50, thy = 18 A) = 60.1, = 39 @ Sequences with quadratic and cubic rules So far all the sequences we have looked at have been arithmetic, i.c. the rule for the nth term is linear and takes the form u, = an + b. The rule for the nth term can be found algebraically using the method of differences and this method is. particularly useful for more complex sequences.Algebra and graphs Worked examples a) Deduce the rule for the mth term for the sequence 4,7,10, 13, 16, Firstly, produce a table of the terms and their positions in the sequence: As the row of Ist differences is constant, the rule for the nth term is linear and takes the form u, = an +B. By substituting the values of into the rule, each term ean be expressed in terms of a and b: [rem fee [ieee [er [iseaitterence TT o« T « T « T «= TJ Compare the two tables in order to deduce the values of aand b: a= a+be=4 therefore b = 1 ‘The rule for the mth term u, = an + 6 can be written as u,=3n +1 For a linear rule, this method is perhaps overcomplicated, However it is very efficient for quadratic and cubic rules. b) Deduce the rule for the nth term for the sequence 0,7, 18, 33, 52, Entering the sequence in a table gi [Position J 1 [2 [3 | [term To [7 Tis | Extending the table to look at the differences gives:Sequences The row of Ist differences is not cons ant, and so the rule Extend the tuble again to look for the nth term is not lin at the row of 2nd differences: ‘The row of 2nd differences is constant, and so the rule for the nth term is therefore a quadratic which takes the form 4, = ane + bn +e, By substituting the values of 2 into the rule, each term can be expressed in terms of a, b and ¢ as shown: Position D 2 3 4 5 Term atbte |4ot bre | 9a sb te | leat 4b +e) 2504 Sb te Ist difference 3e 46 Sa+b 7a+b 9a +b 2nd difference 2a 20 2a Comparing the two tables, the values of a, b and c ean be deduced: 2a=4 therefore a Ba+b=7 therefore 6+ a+b+c=0 therefore 2+1+¢=0 giving The rule for the nth term 1, = an? + bu + ¢cam be written as Uy = 2n?+n— 3. ©) Deduce the rule for the mth term for the sequence —6, -8, ~6, 6,34, Entering the sequence in a table gives: Position t Term 6Algebra and graphs ‘The row of Ist not constant, and so the rule Extend the table again to look for the nth term is not lin al the row of 2nd differences: ‘The row of 2nd differences is not constant either, and so the rule for the 2th term is not quadratic. Extend the table by a further row to look at the row of 3rd difference: Term Ist difference 2nd difference 3rd difference ‘The row of 3rd differences is constant, and so the rule for the nth term is therefore a cubic which takes the form 4, = an? + br? + en +d. By substituting the values of n into the rule, each term can be expressed in terms of a, 6, ¢, and d as shown: [Peston Pt sss By comparing the two tables, equations can be formed and the values of a, b, c, and d can be found: 6a =6 therefore 2b=4 therefore 12+26=4 Ta+3b+0=-2 therefore 7-Rt+e atbt+c+d=- therefore 1-443+d= 12a giving e=3 6 giving = ‘Therefore the equation for the nth term is u, =n — An? + 3n ~ 6,15 Sequences Exercise 15.2 By using a table if necessary, find the formula for the nth term of each of the following sequences: Exercise 15.3 4 z ». 10. 2,5,10,17, 26 0,3,8,15,24 6,9, 14, 21,30 9,12, 17,24, 33 2,1, 6, 13,22 4,10, 20, 34, 52, 0,6, 16, 30, 48. 5,14, 29, 50, 77 0, 12, 32, 60, 96 1,16, 41,76, 121 ‘Use a table to find the formula for the nth term of the following, sequences: 1 ay ees 1, 18,37, 74, 135 0, 6,24, 60, 120 4,3, 22, 59, 120 2, 12, 36, 80, 150 7,22, 51, 100, 175 7,28, 67, 130, 223, 1, 10, 33, 76, 145 13, 25,49, 91, 157Algebra and graphs @ Geometric sequences So far we have looked at sequences where there is a common difference between successive terms. There are, however, other types of sequences, e.g. 2, 4. 8, 16, 32. There is clearly a pattern to the way the numbers are generated as each term is double the previous term, bul there is no common difference. ‘A sequence where there is a common ratio (r) between, successive terms is known as a geometric sequence. eg 4 8 16 32 M2 2 ODD r 27 9 a 1 : xP xP xe xd r=} As with an arithmetic sequence, there are two main ways of describing a geometric sequence. 1, The term-to-term rule For example, for the following sequence. 3 6 12 24 48 x2 x2 x2 x2 ty = 2, ty = uty the general rule is ty. = 24; 14 = 3. 2. ‘The formula for the nth term of a geometric sequence ‘As with an arithmetic sequence, this rule links each term to its position in the sequence, Position 1 2 3 4 5 n ‘Term 6 12 24 48 x2 x2 x2 x2 to reach the second term the calculation is 3 x 2 or 3 X 2! to reach the third term, the calculation is 3 x 2 x 2 or 3 x 2 to reach the fourth term, the calculation is 3 X 2X 2X 2 or axe In general therefore ear where a is the first term and ris the common ratio.Sequences © Applications of geometric sequences In Chapier 8 simple and compound interest were shown as different ways that interest could be earned on money left in a bank account for a period of time. Here we look at compound interest as an example of a geometric sequence. ‘Compound interest ¢.g. $100is deposited in a bank account and left untouched. Alter 1 year the amount has increased to $110 as a result of interest payments. To work out the interest rate, calculate the multiplier from $100 — $110: ‘The multiplier is 1.1 This corresponds toa 10% crease, Therefore the simple interest rate is 10% in the first year. $100 Start lyear Assume the money is left in the account and that the interest, rate remains unchanged, Calculate the amount in the account after 5 years, This is an example of a geometric sequence. Number ofyears =O. 1 2 3 4 5 Amount 100.00 110.00 121,00 133.10 146.41 161.05 SF PNP xit Xt XII) XII XT Alternatively the amount after 5 years can be calculated using a variation of u, = art, Le. us = 100 X 1.15 = 161.05. Note: As the number of years starts at 0, XL.1 is applied 5 times to get to the fifth year. This is an example of compound interest as the previous ‘year’s interest is added to the total and included in the following, year’s calculation.Algebra and graphs Worked examples Exercise 15.4 a) Alex deposits $1500 in his savings account. The interest rate offered by the savings account is 6% each year for a 10-year period. Assuming Alex leayes the money in the account, calculate how much interest he has gained after the 10 years. An interest rate of 6% implies a common ratio of 1.06 “Therefore iy = 1500 X 1.06" = 2686.27 ‘The amount of interest gained is 2686.27 ~ 1500 = $1186.27 b) Adrienne deposits $2000 in her savings account. The interest rate offered by the bank for this account is 8% compound interest per year, Calculate the number of years Adrienne needs to leave the money in her account for it to double in value. An interest rate of 8% implies a common ratio of 1.08 ‘The amount each year can be found using the term-to-term Tulle yay = 1.08 X ty = 2000 X 1,08 = 2160 2160 % 1.08 = 2332.80 us = 2332.80 X 1.08 = 2519.42 Us = 3998.01 317.85 Usp = Adrienne needs to leave the money in the account for 10 years in order for it to double in value. 1. Identify which of the following are geometric sequences and which are not a) 2,6,18,54 ——b) 2: d) -3,9,-27,81 e) 2, For the sequences in question calculate: i) the common ratior the next bo terms iit) a formula for the nth term. 3. The nth term ofa geometric sequence is given by the formula u, = ~6 x 2", a) Calculate u,,.u and us. b) What is the value of n. if u, = —768?Sequences 4. Part of a geometric sequence is piven below: Calculate: a) the common ratio r b) the value of uw, ©) the value of ty. where 4; = —Land us = 64, 5. A homebuyer takes out a loan with a mortgage company for $200000. The interest rate is 6% per year. If she is ‘unable to repay any of the loan during the first 3 years, calculate the extra amount she will have to pay by the end of the third year, due to interest. 6 Acar is bought for $1000. It loses value at a rate of 20% each year. a) Explain why the car is not worthless after 5 years. b) Calculate its value after 5 years ¢) Explain why a depreciation of 20% per year means, in theory, that the car will never be worthless. ‘Student assessment | 1. For each of the sequences given below: i) calculate the next two terms, ii) explain the pattern in words a) 9, 18, 27, b) 54, 48, 42, 36, s) 1B, 9, 45, ix d) 12, 6, 0, -6 . ce) 216, 125, 64, .. £) 4, 3, 8 27, « 2. For each of the sequences shown below give an expression for the nth term: a) 6 10, 14, 18, 22, ... b) 13, 19, 25, a1, ©) 3,9 15, 21, 27, ... d) 4, 7, 12, 19, 28, ©) 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, ...f) 0, 7, 26, 63, 124, ... 3. For each of the following arithmetic sequences i) write down a formula for the nth term ii) calculate the 10th term. a) 1,5,9, 13, b) 1-2, 4. For both of the following, calculate u, and upp: a) 4 = 6n—3 b) ua HetAlgebra and graphs B Copy and complete both of the following tables of arithmetic sequences: *) [Position [ 1 | 2] 3 | 10 h Term vf. =55 Student assessment 2 A girl deposits $300 in a hank account. The bank offers 7% interest per year. Assuming the girl does not take any money out of the account calculate: 1) the amount of money in the account after 8 yeurs b) the minimum number of years the money must be left in the account, for the amount to be greater than $350. A computer loses 35% of its value each year. If the computer cost $600 new, calculate: a) its value after 2 years b) its value after 10 years. Part of a geometric sequence is given below: where u; ‘Calculat a) the common ratio r b) the value w c) the value of n ifu, =-a. Using a table of differences if necessary, caleulate the rule for the nth term of the sequence 8, 24, 58, 116, 204, Using a table of differences, calculate the rule for the mth term of the sequence 10, 23, 50,97, 170, .