Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Parañaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Mathematics 10 Quarter 1 Week 2

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE AND ARITHMETIC SERIES

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

The learners illustrate an arithmetic sequence, determine arithmetic means, 𝑛𝑡ℎ term
of an arithmetic sequence and sum of the terms of a given arithmetic sequence.
(M10AL-Ib-2.0)

Objectives
The learner…
a. illustrates an arithmetic sequence.
b. determines the next terms of an arithmetic sequence.
c. finds the nth term of an arithmetic sequence.
d. determines the sum of the first 𝑛 terms of a given arithmetic sequence.

Let’s Recall (Review)

Complete the table by identifying some terms and describing its pattern or rule. Number 1 is
already done for you.
Given 𝒂𝟏 𝒂𝟑 𝒂𝟔 Rule
1) 4, 9, 14, 19, 24… 4 14 29 Add 5.
2) 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, …
3) −4, −8, −12, −16, …
4) 36, 30, 24, 18, …
5) −7, −14, −21, −28, …
What do you think is common to the above examples?

Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

In Module 1, you have learned how to generate patterns or sequences. In this
module, we will focus on one specific kind. The examples above illustrate a sequence
wherein we add a (+ or –) constant number to know the next term and to continue the
sequence.

Lesson 1: Illustrating an Arithmetic Sequence

If a sequence is formed by adding (or subtracting) the same number each time to get
the next term, it is called an arithmetic sequence.
An Arithmetic Sequence is a sequence where every term is obtained by adding a
constant (fixed) number from the previous term. The constant number being added is called
the common difference (𝒅).
+3 +3 +3

Example 1: 0, 3, 6, 9, … the same number is being added to each term. 𝑑 = 3

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OR to find the common difference (𝑑), simply subtract any two consecutive terms.
Example 2: 36, 30, 24, 18, …
𝑎2 − 𝑎1 = 30 − 36 = −6
𝑎3 − 𝑎2 = 24 − 30 = −6
𝑎4 − 𝑎3 = 18 − 24 = −6
𝑑 = −6
Lesson 2: Finding the nth term of an Arithmetic
Sequence

Suppose you are asked to find the 20𝑡ℎ term in the sequence 4, 9, 14, 19, …, how
would you do it?
To do this, you could continue the pattern and list the next terms up to the 20𝑡ℎ term,
but there is an easier way to that.
To find the 𝒏𝒕𝒉 term of an Arithmetic Sequence, we simply use the formula:
𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅

where 𝒂𝟏 is the first term; 𝒏 is the position of term and 𝒅 is the common difference of
the sequence.

Steps in solving for the nth term of an Arithmetic Sequence:

1. Identify the given and what is asked.
2. Use the formula and substitute the given.
3. Recall and use the GEMDAS rule in solving.

Example: Find the tenth term of the sequence 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, …

Given: 𝑎1 = 0 𝑑=3 𝑎10 =? Remember:
*note 𝑛 = 10 since we are looking for 10𝑡ℎ term. G - grouping symbols ( ), { },
Solution: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 [ ]
E– xponent
𝑎10 = 0 + (10 − 1)3 M–ultiplication (×)
= 0 + (9)3 D– ivision (÷)
= 0 + 27 A –ddition (+)
S – ubtraction (−)
𝑎10 = 27
Answer: The 10𝑡ℎ term of the sequence is 27.

Lesson 3: Finding the Arithmetic Means

Try this one!

Find the numbers in the blank for each arithmetic sequence.
A.) 4, 7, ___, ___, 16 C.) 15, ___, ___, ___, −5, −10
B.) 8, ___, ___, ___, 48, 58 D.) −6,___, ____, 6, 10
Were you able to find the missing terms in each sequence?
The missing terms between two given terms in each sequence above are called
arithmetic means.

Arithmetic Means are terms between any two non-consecutive terms of an

arithmetic sequence. The terms can easily be inserted if the common difference is identified.

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Steps in Solving for the Arithmetic Means

1. Identify how many terms are needed to be inserted and label each position.
2. Use the formula for arithmetic sequence to solve for the common difference.
3. Recall the MDAS rule in solving.
4. Use the common difference to continue the pattern or use the general formula for
arithmetic sequence: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

Example: Insert three arithmetic means between 8 and 48.

Note: Since we are asked to insert 3 terms, there will be 5 terms in all where 𝑎1 = 8
and 𝑎5 = 48.
𝒂𝟏 𝒂𝟓
Solution: 8, ___, ___, ___, 48, ...
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 Then, use the value of d to find the other terms.
48 = 8 + (5 − 1)𝑑
48 = 8 + (4)𝑑 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
48 − 8 = 4𝑑 𝑎2 = 8 + (2 − 1)10 = 18
40 4𝑑
4
= 4
𝑎3 = 8 + (3 − 1)10 = 28
𝑑 = 10 𝑎4 = 8 + (4 − 1)10 = 38
Answer: The arithmetic means are 18, 28, and 38.

Lesson 4: Finding the Arithmetic Series

At this point, you are tasked to find the sum of the terms in an arithmetic sequence.
Try this too!
Find the sum of the following.
A. 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 12 + 14 + 16 C. 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + … + 30
B. (−5) + (−10) + (−15) + (−20) D. 20 + 10 + 0 + (−10) + … + (−50)
Were you able to compute for the sum quickly?

The terms of an arithmetic sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, ... when written this way: 2 + 4 + 6 +

8 + … is known as an arithmetic series.
An Arithmetic Series is the sum of definite number of terms of an arithmetic
sequence. To find the actual sum of the terms, use either of the two formulas:
𝒏 𝒏
𝑺𝒏 = (𝒂𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏 ) or 𝑺𝒏 = [𝟐𝒂𝟏 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅]
𝟐 𝟐

*The 2𝑛𝑑 formula is just the expanded form of the first one.
where:
𝑆𝑛 = sum of the terms 𝑎1 = first term 𝑑 = common difference
𝑡ℎ
𝑛 = no. of terms 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛 term
Example: Find the sum of 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 12 + 14 + 16.
Since 16 is the 8𝑡ℎ term of the arithmetic sequence, we use 𝑛 = 8 to get the sum
of the first 8 terms.
Given: 𝑛=8 𝑎1 = 2 𝑎𝑛 = 16 𝑑=2 𝑆𝑛 =?
𝑛
Solution: 𝑆𝑛 = 2 (𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 )
8
𝑆8 = 2 (2 + 16)

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𝑆8 = 4(18)
𝑺𝟖 = 𝟕𝟐
Answer: Therefore, the sum of the first 8 terms is 72.

Reminders in Solving for the Arithmetic Series:

1. Identify the number of terms to be added especially the first and last terms.
2. Use any of the two formulas for the arithmetic series provided only one variable is
unknown.
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 (𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 ) *if at least 𝑛, 𝑎1 and 𝑎𝑛 are given
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 2 [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] *if at least 𝑑, 𝑎1 and 𝑛 are given
3. Just in case there are still other variables that are missing (i.e. 𝑛𝑡ℎ term or common
difference), utilize the concept and formula of an arithmetic sequence,
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑.

Let’s Apply
I. Solve for the following. Then, use the letter assigned to each item to answer the trivia
below.

L 1. Find the eighth term of 36, 30, 24, 18, …

C 2. What is a10 in the sequence 7, 15, 23, …?

U 3. What is the common difference in the sequence 47, 32, 17, …?

G 4. Find the 11th term in the arithmetic sequence −9, −13, −17, …

A 5. Find the ninth term of the sequence that has a first term of 9 and a common
difference of 6.

R 6. In an arithmetic sequence, the first term is -9 and the sixth term is −34. Find the
12𝑡ℎ term.

S 7. Find the common difference of an arithmetic sequence whose first term is 1 and
whose fourth term is 13.
Did you know who created the formula to solve for the sum of the arithmetic sequence?

79 57 64 −6 −49 57 −15 4 4
II. Insert the indicated number of arithmetic means given the first and last terms,
respectively.
1) Insert 3 arithmetic means between 7 and 39.
2) Insert 4 arithmetic means between 11 and 31.
III. Find 𝑆𝑛 for each arithmetic series being described.
1) 𝑎1 = 12, 𝑎𝑛 = 84, 𝑛 = 8
2) The sum of 6 + 14 + 22 + … up to 22 terms.

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Let’s Analyze
Level Up!
Answer the following questions from bottom to top using the given below. If you are able to
answer and make it up to the top question, that means you have mastered the topic.

Let’s Create
Suppose you are a civil engineer. Mr. Rayala, the CEO of the company, asked your
team to design a seating plan for a new Arena. Your goal is to create a proposal that outlines
the following information:
He wants the total number of seats in the arena to be between 12 000 and 15 000.
One ring of seats all the way around the center stage is considered a row, and row 1 is
considered to be the row closest to stage. He wants the number of seats in each row to form
an arithmetic sequence, increasing by the same number in each subsequent row. Your task
is to decide on the total number of seats in the arena by designing a seating arrangement
that has a reasonable number of rows by determining:
a. The number of seats in the first row.
b. The number of seats by which each row increases.
c. The number of rows required.
d. The number of seats in the last row.
e. The total number of seats in the arena.
Expected Output: Soft copy of the proposal in MS Word
• Drawing of arena design/floor plan
• Table/Spreadsheet showing the number of seats per row and its total
• Supporting mathematical computation
• Narrative explanation on explanation on why the CEO should accept your proposal
Note: Grouping, deadline, and other details shall be set and elaborated by your Math teacher.
Be guided by the rubrics below.
Level Excellent Proficient Adequate Limited Insufficient
Criteria 4 3 2 1 0
Arithmetic All required All required Some required Most required No score is
Sequence elements are elements are elements are elements are awarded as there

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present and present but missing, or missing or is no evidence
correct contain minor contain major incorrect given
errors errors
The diagram is
The diagram The diagram is
The diagram is not
seems accurate drawn without
accurate based proportional
Arena Design based on the referring on the No diagram at all.
on the proposed based on the
proposed seat number of seats
seat plan. proposed seat
plan. in the plan.
plan.
Presentation of Presentation of
Presentation of Presentation of Presentation of
Presentation of data is clear, data is complete
data is simple data is vague data is
Data precise and and
and plausible and inaccurate incomprehensible
accurate unambiguous
Provides Provides
Provides
Explains Provides logical explanations that explanations that No explanation is
insightful
Choices explanations are complete are incomplete provided
explanations
but vague or confusing.

Let’s Try (Evaluation)

I. Write TRUE if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write FALSE.
_____ 1) The sequence 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, ... is an example of an arithmetic sequence.
_____ 2) In 4, 10, 16, 22, ..., the common difference is 6 whose first term is 4.
_____ 3) In the sequence 12, 2, -8, -18, …, the common difference is 10.
II. Read each statement carefully and encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1) Which of the following is NOT an example of an arithmetic sequence?
A. 4, 8, 12, 16, … C. −15, −13, −11, −9, …
B. 5, 25, 125, 625, ... D. 42, 52, 62, 72, …
2) Which sequence has a common difference of -5?
A. 1, 5, 10, 16, … C. 34, 29, 24, 19, ...
B. 12, 17, 22, … D. 5, −25, 125, −625, ...
3) Find two terms between −3 and −24.
A. −6 and −12 B. 6 and −12 C. 10 and 17 D. −10 and −17
4) If three arithmetic means are inserted between 11 and 47, find the second arithmetic
mean.
A. 20 B. 29 C. 34 D. 38
5) Find the fifth term of a sequence that has a fourth term of 40 and a first term of 7.
A. 47 B. 48 C. 49 D. 51
II. Solve for what is asked. Show your solution on the space provided.
On the first day of September, an English teacher suggests to her students that they
must read 5 pages of a novel and every day thereafter increase their daily reading by 2
pages. How many pages should she read on the 20th day?