It is a sequence in which there is a common difference “d” between the terms,

where d = 2nd term - 1st term = 3rd term - 2nd term & so on.
 To get from one term to the next one add “d” to the previous term
 If the Arithmetic sequence is 𝑢1 , 𝑢2 , 𝑢3 , 𝑢4 , … , 𝑢𝑛−1 , 𝑢𝑛 then the
Arithmetic series will be 𝑢1 + 𝑢2 + 𝑢3 + 𝑢4 + ⋯ + 𝑢𝑛−1 + 𝑢𝑛 .

 Show that the formula for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of an A.S. is

𝒖𝒏 = 𝒂 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝒅

where 𝑎 ∶ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 1𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

𝑑 ∶ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑛 ∶ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚.

Proof : 1𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑢1 = 𝑎

2𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑢2 = 𝑎 + 𝑑
3𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑢3 = 𝑎 + 2𝑑
4𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚, 𝑢4 = 𝑎 + 3𝑑

Thus the 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑.

Proof :
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑎 + 𝑑) + ⋯ + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 2)𝑑 ) + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 )
+𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 ) + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 2)𝑑 ) + ⋯ + (𝑎 + 𝑑 ) + 𝑎
2𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) + (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) + (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) + ⋯ + (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
The RHS is (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 ) repeated n times ; i.e. the sum is 𝑛(2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 ).
1
2𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛 (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) , 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑦 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
2
Also if we split 2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = ( 𝑎 + (𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)
2
𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 + 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚) = (𝑎 + 𝑙)
2 2
Examples:
1. An arithmetic sequence is given by 3, 7,11,15,19, … (notice that 𝑎 = 3 & 𝑑 = 4)
(a) Find 𝑡ℎ𝑒 10𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 → 𝑢10 = 𝑎 + 9𝑑 → 𝑢10 = 3 + 9(4) = 39.
(b) Find 𝑡ℎ𝑒 50𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 → 𝑢50 = 𝑎 + 49𝑑 → 𝑢50 = 3 + 9(49) = 199.
(c) Find 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚.
𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 → 𝑢𝑛 = 3 + (𝑛 − 1)4 = 3 + 4𝑛 − 4 → 𝑢𝑛 = 4𝑛 − 1.
Notice that 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 is a linear function.

(d) Find which term has a value of 399?

𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑢𝑛 = 4𝑛 − 1, 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 399 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛
Thus 4𝑛 − 1 = 399 → 4𝑛 = 400 → 𝑛 = 100.
Thus 399 is the 100𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 in the sequence.
2. An arithmetic series is given by 3+7+11+15+19+...
( Notice that 𝑎 = 3 & 𝑑=4)
(a) Find 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠
5 5
𝑆5 = (2(3) + (5 − 1)4) = × 22 = 55
2 2
(b) Find 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠
10 10
𝑆10 = (2(3) + (10 − 1)4) = × 42 = 210
2 2

(c) Find the formula for 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 ; 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑆𝑛 .

𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (2(3) + (𝑛 − 1)4) = (6 + 4𝑛 − 4) = (4𝑛 + 2) = 2𝑛2 + 𝑛.
2 2 2

Thus 𝑆𝑛 = 2𝑛2 + 𝑛.
Notice 𝑆10 = 2(10)2 + 10 = 210.
Notice that the formula for 𝑺𝒏 is a quadratic formula.

(d) Find the number of terms for the sum to be 55.

𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑆𝑛 = 2𝑛2 + 𝑛, 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 55 𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑛 .

2 2
−1 ± √12 − 4(2)(−55)
2𝑛 + 𝑛 = 55 → 2𝑛 + 𝑛 − 55 = 0 → 𝑛 =
2×2
−1 ± √441 −1 ± 21
𝑛= = → 𝑛 = −5.5 𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 5.
4 4
𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 "n" 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒓
Thus we neglect the -5.5 & n = 5
𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 55.
3. An arithmetic sequence is given by 7, 11, 15, 19,…,143.
(notice that this sequence is finite; i.e. it ends at 143 as the last term)
(𝐴𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎 = 7 & 𝑑 = 4)
(a) Find the number of terms in the above sequence.
First we find 𝑢𝑛 = 7 + (𝑛 − 1)4 = 7 + 4𝑛 − 4 = 4𝑛 + 3
Set 4𝑛 + 3 = 143 → 4𝑛 = 140 → 𝑛 = 35.

(b) Hence find the sum of the terms of this A.S.

𝑛 𝑛
We can either use 𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 ) or 𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙).
2 2

It is preferable to use the second formula ,since the last term is known :
35
𝑆35 = (7 + 143) = 2625.
2
35
Or 𝑆35 = (2 × 7 + (35 − 1) × 4) = 2625.
2

(c) Which term in the infinite sequence 7,11,15,19, … first exceeds 100.
𝑆𝑒𝑡 𝑢𝑛 > 100 → 4𝑛 + 3 > 100 → 4𝑛 > 97 → 𝑛 > 24.25
𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 "n" 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒓
So the first integer greater than 24.25 is 25.
That is the 25th term exceeds 100. Check: 𝑢25 = 4 × 25 + 3 = 103.

(d) Find the least number of terms for the sum to exceed 999.
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (2(7) + (𝑛 − 1) × 4) = (14 + 4𝑛 − 4) = (4𝑛 + 10) = 2𝑛2 + 5𝑛.
2 2 2
𝑆𝑒𝑡 𝑆𝑛 > 999 → 2𝑛2 + 5𝑛 > 999 → 2𝑛2 + 5𝑛 − 999 > 0.

2
−5±√52 −4(2)(−999)
Solve the equation 2𝑛 + 5𝑛 − 999 = 0 → 𝑛 =
2×2
𝑛 = −23.63 𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 21.13
So the least number of terms for the sum to exceed 999 is 𝑛 = 22.
𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘: 𝑆21 = 987 < 999 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑆22 = 1078 > 999
4. An arithmetic series is given by 100+93+86+. . .
(a) Find a formula for 𝑢𝑛 & a formula for 𝑆𝑛 .
𝑎 = 100 , 𝑑 = −7
𝑢𝑛 = 100 + (𝑛 − 1)(−7) = 100 − 7𝑛 + 7 → 𝑢𝑛 = 107 − 7𝑛.

𝑛 𝑛 207
𝑆𝑛 = (2(100) + (𝑛 − 1) × −7) = (207 − 7𝑛) = 𝑛 − 7𝑛2 .
2 2 2

(b) Find the first negative term in the series.

2
Set 𝑢𝑛 < 0 → 107 − 7𝑛 < 0 → (−7𝑛 < −107) ÷ −7 → 𝑛 > 15
7
2
The 1st integer greater than 15 is 16.
7

𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑛 = 16 & 𝑢16 = 107 − 7(16) = −5. 𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑢15 = 107 − 7(15) = 2
___________________________________________________________________
5. An A.S. has 1st term a & common difference d .
The 3rd & 7th terms are 20 & 12 respectively. Find a & d .

𝑢3 = 20 → 𝑎 + 2𝑑 = 20 … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1

𝑢7 = 12 → 𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 12 … … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2
Multiply 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2 by -1 & add to equ.1→ 𝑎 + 2𝑑 = 20
−𝑎 − 6𝑑 = −12
−4𝑑 = 8 → 𝑑 = −2,
𝑎 + 2(−2) = 20 → 𝑎 = 24.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6. (a) Find the sum of the first 200 natural numbers.
1+2+3+4+. . . . +198+199+200. 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑑 = 1 , 𝑛 = 200.
𝑛 200
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙) → 𝑆200 = (1 + 200) = 20100 .
2 2

(b) Find the sum of the first 100 odd numbers.

1+3+5+7+. . . . +197+199. 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑑 = 2 , 𝑛 = 100.
𝑛 100
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙) → 𝑆100 = (1 + 199) = 10000.
2 2

(c) Find the sum of the first 100 even numbers.

2+4+6+8+. . . . +198+200. 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑑 = 2 , 𝑛 = 100.
𝑛 100
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙) → 𝑆100 = (2 + 200) = 10100.
2 2

Notice adding 10000 + 10100 = 20100.

7. An employee starts working at a company with a starting annual salary of £15000. He is

given a raise of £1000 each year until he reaches a maximum salary of £25000. After this it
stays fixed.
(a) Find his total earnings in 8 years. (Total means sum.)
(b)Find his total earnings in 14 years.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 𝑛𝑡ℎ

15000 16000 17000 18000 . . . 25000 25000 25000
terms from 15000 to 25000 form an A.S. ,so we need to find 25000 is which term.
𝑎 = 15000 , 𝑑 = 1000 → 𝑢𝑛 = 15000 + (𝑛 − 1) × 1000
𝑢𝑛 = 15000 + 1000𝑛 − 1000 → 𝑢𝑛 = 1000𝑛 + 14000
25000 − 14000
25000 = 1000𝑛 + 14000 → 𝑛 = = 11.
1000
(a) total earnings in 8 years = 𝑆8
8
𝑆8 = (2 × 15000 + (8 − 1)1000 = £148000
2
(b) total earnings in 14 years = 𝑆11 + (14 − 11) × 25000
11
= (15000 + 25000) + 75000
2
total earnings in 14 years = 220,000 + 75,000 = £295,000 .
8. Find the sum of integers between 1 & 1000 inclusive, which are NOT divisible
by 5.
Integers between 1 & 1000 are 1+2+3+4+5+. . .+1000
For the above series 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑑 = 1 , 𝑛 = 1000 , 𝑙 = 1000
1000
Its sum is 𝑆1000 = (1 + 1000) = 500,500.
2

 Integers between 1 & 1000 inclusive which are divisible by 5 ,

are 5+10+15+20+25+ . . . +995+1000.

1000
For the above series 𝑎 = 5 , 𝑑 = 5 , 𝑛 = = 200 , 𝑙 = 1000.
5

200
Its sum is 𝑆200 = (5 + 1000) = 100,500.
2

 Thus integers between 1 & 1000 inclusive which are indivisible by 5

can be found by subtracting the second sum from the first sum :
00,500 − 100,500 = 400,000.

9. The 3rd term of an A.S. is 13 & the sum of the first six terms is 96. Find the 10th term.
𝑢3 = 13 → 𝑎 + 2𝑑 = 13 . . . . . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1
6
 𝑆6 = 96 → (2𝑎 + (6 − 1)𝑑) = 96 → (2𝑎 + 5𝑑) = 32 . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2
2
 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1 × −2 → −2𝑎 − 4𝑑 = −26
+2𝑎 + 5𝑑 = 32
𝑑 = 6 → 𝑎 = 13 − 2 × 6 = 1 𝑢10 = 1 + 9(6) → 𝑢10 = 55
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. The sum of the first six terms of an A.S. is 21. If the seventh term is three
times the sum of the 3rd & 4th terms, Find 𝑎 & d.
6
𝑆6 = 21 → (2𝑎 + (6 − 1)𝑑) = 21 → 2𝑎 + 5𝑑 = 7 . . . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1
2

 𝑢7 = 3(𝑢3 + 𝑢4 ) → 𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 3(𝑎 + 2𝑑 + 𝑎 + 3𝑑)

𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 6𝑎 + 15𝑑 → −5𝑎 = 9𝑑 → 5𝑎 + 9𝑑 = 0 . . . . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2
(2𝑎 + 5𝑑 = 7) × −5 → −10𝑎 − 25𝑑 = −35
(5𝑎 + 9𝑑 = 0 ) × 2 → +10𝑎 + 18𝑑 = 0
___________________________________
−7𝑑 = −35 → 𝑑 = 5 , 𝑎 = −9.
Check :
-9 , -4 , 1 , 6 , 11 , 16, 21 ,. . . 𝑆6 = -9 + -4 +1+6+11+16= 21
𝑢7 = 3(𝑢3 + 𝑢4 ) → 21 = 3(1 + 6)
11. The first three terms of an A.S. are 3𝑥 − 1 , 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 , 𝑥 2 + 7 .
Given that 𝑥 is a positive integer , find 𝑥 , the 1st term & the
common difference of the sequence. 𝑑 = 2nd −1st also 𝑑 = 3rd−2nd
Thus (3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) − (3𝑥 − 1 ) = (𝑥 2 + 7) − (3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥)
3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 −3𝑥 + 1 = 𝑥 2 + 7 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥
3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 +1 = −2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 7
5𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 −6 = 0

7 ± √49 − 4(5)(−6) 7 ± √169 7 ± 13

𝑥= = =
2×5 10 10
−6 −3 20
Either 𝑥 = = (𝑟𝑒𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑) or 𝑥= =2.
10 5 10

First three terms are 3(2) − 1 , 3(2)2 − 2(2) , (2)2 + 7 .

5 , 8 , 11 → 𝑎 = 5 , 𝑑 = 3 .
12. The 4th , 5th & 6th terms of an A.S. are (2𝑥 − 2), (𝑥 − 3), (1 − 𝑥). Find 𝑎 & 𝑑 .
𝑑 = 5th−4th also 𝑑 = 6th −5th
(𝑥 − 3) − (2𝑥 − 2) = (1 − 𝑥) − (𝑥 − 3)
𝑥 − 3 − 2𝑥 + 2 = 1 − 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 3
−𝑥 − 1 = −2𝑥 + 4 → −𝑥 + 2𝑥 = 4 + 1 → 𝒙 = 𝟓.
The 4th , 5th & 6th terms are 8 , 2 , −4 → 𝒂 = 𝟖 , 𝒅 = −𝟔
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. The first & last terms of an A.S. are −12 & 40 respectively.
If the sum of all the terms of the series is 196 , find 𝑎 & 𝑑 .
𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙) → 196 = (−12 + 40) → 196 = 14𝑛 → 𝑛 = 14.
2 2

𝑎 = −12 , 𝒖𝟏𝟒 = 40 → 𝑎 + 13𝑑 = 40 → −12 + 13𝑑 = 40

52
13𝑑 = 40 + 12 → 𝑑 = =4.
13

14. The sum of the first twenty terms of an A.S. is 320 ; 𝑆20 = 320.
The 21st term of the series is 37; 𝑢21 = 37 . Find 𝑎 & 𝑑 .
20
 𝑆20 = 320 → (2𝑎 + 19𝑑) = 320 → 2𝑎 + 19𝑑 = 32 . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1
2
 𝑢21 = 37 → 𝑎 + (21 − 1)𝑑 = 37 → 𝑎 + 20𝑑 = 37. . . . 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2
2𝑎 + 19𝑑 = +32
−2𝑎 − 40𝑑 = −74
__________________________________

−21𝑑 = −42 → 𝑑 = 2 , 𝑎 = −3.

15. The first & last terms of a finite A.S. are 12 & 48 respectively. Given that the sum of the
first four terms is 57, find the number of terms of this series.
Given 𝑎 = 12 , 𝑢𝑛 = 48 , 𝑆4 = 57 ∶
 12 + 2nd + 3rd + 4th + . . . + 48.
4
𝑆4 = {(2(12) + (4 − 1)𝑑} = 57 → 48 + 6𝑑 = 57 → 𝑑 = 1.5
2
𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 → 12 + (𝑛 − 1)(1.5) = 48
1.5𝑛 − 1.5 = 48 − 12 → 1.5𝑛 = 37.5 → 𝑛 = 25.

(a) Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4 . . . Row n

6 11 16 21 𝑢𝑛
This is an A.S. with 𝑎 = 6 , 𝑑 = 5 → 𝑢𝑛 = 6 + (𝑛 − 1)5 → 𝒖𝒏 = 𝟓𝒏 + 𝟏
(b) Total number of sticks needed to 10 rows is the sum of the first 10 terms.
10
𝑆10 = (2 × 6 + (10 − 1)5) = 5(12 + 45) = 285 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑠.
2
(c) 1029 sticks are enough to complete k rows means that 𝑆𝑘 ≤ 1029.
𝑘
𝑆𝑘 = (2 × 6 + (𝑘 − 1)5) ≤ 1029
2
𝑘(12 + 5𝑘 − 5) ≤ 2 × 1029 → 𝑘(5𝑘 + 7) ≤ 2058
5𝑘 2 + 7𝑘 − 2058 ≤ 0 solve 5𝑘 2 + 7𝑘 − 2058 = 0

−7 ± √72 − 4(5)(−2058) −7 ± √49 + 41160 −7 ± 203

𝑘= = =
2×5 2×5 2×5
−210 196 98
𝑘= = −21 𝑜𝑟 𝑘 = = 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 (𝑘 + 21)(5𝑘 − 98) ≤ 0
10 10 5
(d) −21 ≤ 𝑘 ≤ 19.6 → 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑘 = 19.
 2𝑛𝑑 3𝑟𝑑 4𝑡ℎ
 The common ratio 𝑟 = = = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 so on.
1𝑠𝑡 2𝑛𝑑 3𝑟𝑑

Proof :
1𝑠𝑡 2𝑛𝑑 3𝑟𝑑 4𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑡ℎ

𝑎 𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟 2 𝑎𝑟 3 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
Notice that the power of “r “ is one less than the position of the term required ;
𝑢10 = 𝑎𝑟 9 , 𝑢21 = 𝑎𝑟 20 .

Thus 𝒖𝒏 = 𝒂𝒓𝒏−𝟏 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 "𝒂"𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , "𝒓" 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜.
Find the (𝑖) 10𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 (𝑖𝑖) 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 in the following G.S.
(a) 3, 6, 12, 24 , . . .
6 12
In this case 𝑎 = 3 , 𝑟 = = →𝑟=2
3 6

(𝑖) Thus 10𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢10 = 𝑎 𝑟10−1 = 3 × 29 = 1536.

(𝑖𝑖) Thus 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑟 𝑛−1 = 3 (2)𝑛−1 .
Since = 2 , is positive then there is only one form for 𝒖𝒏 .
(b) 40 , −20 , 10 , −5 , . . .
−20 10 1
In this case 𝑎 = 40 , 𝑟 = = →𝑟= −
40 −20 2
1 5
(𝑖)Thus 10𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢10 = 𝑎 𝑟10−1 = 40 (− )9 = − (negative).
2 64
1 5
While 9𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢9 = 𝑎 𝑟 9−1 = 40 (− )8 = + (positive).
2 32
1
(𝑖𝑖) Thus 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑟 𝑛−1 = 40 (− )𝑛−1 .
2

Notice that terms with odd positions ; i.e. 1𝑠𝑡 or 3𝑟𝑑 are positive ,
while terms with even positions ; i.e. 2𝑛𝑑 or 4𝑡ℎ are negative.
In this case, when r is negative, we will have two formulae for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ , 𝑢𝑛 ∶
1 1
for positive terms, 𝑢𝑛 = 40 ( )𝑛−1 & for negative terms, 𝑢𝑛 = −40 ( )𝑛−1 .
2 2

𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑟 𝑛−1 → 𝑢2 = 𝑎 𝑟 2−1 → 𝑢2 = 𝑎 𝑟1 = 4 … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1

𝑢4 = 𝑎 𝑟 4−1 → 𝑢2 = 𝑎 𝑟 3 = 8 … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2
𝑎 𝑟3 8
Dividing 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 2 𝑏𝑦 𝑒𝑞𝑢. 1 → = → 𝑟 2 = 2 → 𝑟 = ±√2
𝑎 𝑟1 4
thus 𝑟 = √2
4 √2
𝑎√2 = 4 → 𝑎 = × → 𝑎 = 2√2
√2 √2
10 10
𝑢11 = 𝑎 𝑟11−1 → 𝑢11 = (2√2)(√2) = 2√2(√2) = 2√2 × 25 = 64√2
 6 12
In this case 𝑎 = 3 , 𝑟 = = =2
3 6

𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 , 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢𝑛 = 𝑎 𝑟 𝑛−1 = 3 (2)𝑛−1 .

𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑢𝑛 > 1000,000 → 3 (2)𝑛−1 > 1000,000
1000,000
(2)𝑛−1 >
3
𝑇𝑜 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 , 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦.
1000,000 1000,000
log(2)𝑛−1 > log ( ) → (𝑛 − 1) log 2 > log ( )
3 3
1000,000
log( )
3
𝑛−1> → 𝑛 > 19.34
log 2

𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑛 = 20 ; 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑢20 = 3 (2)20−1 = 3 (2)19 = 1,572864 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑢19 = 786432.

So the 20th term is the first term to exceed 1000,000.
(𝑎) 2 + 6 + 18 + 54+ . . . (𝑓𝑜𝑟 10 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)
6 2(1−310 )
𝑎 = 2 , 𝑟 = = 3 → 𝑆10 = = 59,048
2 1−3

2(310 − 1)
𝑂𝑟 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑆10 = = 59,048
3−1
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 + 𝑣𝑒 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺. 𝑆. ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦
𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛 = 2(3)𝑛−1 .
 512 256 1
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐺. 𝑆. 𝑎 = 1024 , 𝑟 = − =− = −
1024 512 2
𝑇𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐺. 𝑆. 𝑤𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜
𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑛 . 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
1 𝑛−1
𝑢𝑛 = 1024(− ) , 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑒 ,
2
1
𝑢𝑛 = 1024( )𝑛−1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠.
2
1
𝑢𝑛 = 1024(− )𝑛−1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠.
2
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 , 𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎.
1 1 1 1
𝑢𝑛 = 1024( )𝑛−1 → 1 = 1024( )𝑛−1 → ( )𝑛−1 =
2 2 2 1024
Take log of both sides:
1 1 1 1
log( )𝑛−1 = log → (𝑛 − 1) log( ) = log( )
2 1024 2 1024
1
log( )
𝑛−1= 1024 → 𝑛 = 10 + 1 → 𝑛 = 11
1
log( )
2
1 11
1024 (1 − (− ) )
2
𝑠𝑜 𝑤𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑆11 = = 683 .
1
1 − (− )
2
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 10𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 , 𝑢10 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑢11 𝑏𝑦 𝑟 ,
𝑢11 1
𝑢10 = = → 𝑢10 = −2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆10 = 𝑆11 − 𝑢10 = 683 − 1 = 682.
𝑟 − 1⁄2

1 10
1024 (1 − (− ) )
2
𝐴𝑙𝑠𝑜, 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑆10 = = 682.
1
1 − (− )
2
 𝒂 (𝟏−𝒓𝒏 ) 𝒂
Notice that 𝑺𝒏 = (𝟏−𝒓)
& 𝑺∞ = (𝟏−𝒓) , 𝒇𝒐𝒓 − 𝟏 < 𝒓 < 𝟏

Thus 𝑺𝒏 = 𝑺∞ (𝟏 − 𝒓𝒏 ).
c. Find 𝑆5 , ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑆∞ & 𝑆5 .
𝑎(1 − 𝑟 5 ) 5(1 − 0.65 )
𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆5 = = = 11.528
1−𝑟 1 − 0.6
𝑂𝑟 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆5 = 𝑆∞ (1 − 𝑟 5 ) → 𝑆5 = 12.5(1 − 0.65 ) = 11.528
Thus 𝑆∞ − 𝑆5 = 12.5 − 11.528 = 0.972
Percentage increase & decease:
 An investment of $2000 is made at the start of a year with a finance company.
At the end of this year and at the end of each subsequent year the value of the investment is 4%
greater than its value at the start of that year. (Since the capital invested is fixed , use compound
interest formula.)
(a) Find, to the nearest $, the value of the investment at the end of the 10th year.
𝑟
Value at the end of nth = amount∗ (1 + )𝑛
100
4
Value at the end of 10th = 2000∗ (1 + )10 = $ 2960.
100

(b) A client decides to invest $2000 at the start of each year. Write down a series whose sum is
the total value of the investment at the end of 10 years, find the value of the account.
Beg. of 1st year : 2000
End of 1st year : 2000(1.04)
Beg. of 2nd year : 2000+2000(1.04)
End of 2nd year : 2000(1.04)+2000(1.04)2
Beg. of 3nd year :2000+ 2000(1.04)+2000(1.04)2
End of 3nd year : 2000(1.04)+ 2000(1.04)2 +2000(1.04)3
at the end of ten years :
End of 10 years 2000(1.04)+ 2000(1.04)2 +2000(1.04)3 +2000(1.04)4 + … + 2000(1.04)10
= 2000(1.04+1.042 + 1.043 + 1.044 + ⋯ + 1.0410 ) The values added inside the brackets
form a geometric series with first term a = 1.04, common ratio r = 1.04 , no. of terms n=10.
𝒂 (𝟏−𝒓𝒏)
Thus the value of the investment at the end of 10 years = 2000 * 𝑆10 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑺𝒏 = (𝟏−𝒓)

= 2000 × 𝑆10 = 2000 × {1.04(1 −1.0410 )/(1 − 1.04) = $ 24,973.

  The Greek capital letter “sigma” is used to signify a sum .

 It is written as .

 You write limits on the top & bottom of the “sigma” followed
by the formula for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of the series to be summed.
𝑛

∑ 𝑢𝑟 = 𝑢1 + 𝑢2 + 𝑢3 + 𝑢4 + . . . +𝑢𝑛 = 𝑆𝑛 ; 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠.

𝑟=1

 𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 , 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 1,2,3,4,5, . . . 𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛.

 Rules for summation :

𝑛

1. ∑ 1 = 1 + 1 + 1+ . . . +1 = 1 × 𝑛 = 𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 1 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠

𝑟=1

2. ∑ 𝑘 = 𝑘 + 𝑘 + 𝑘+. . . +𝑘 = 𝑘 × 𝑛 = 𝑛𝑘 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠

𝑟=1

3. ∑ 𝑟 = 1 + 2 + 3+. . . +𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝐴. 𝑆. 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑑 = 1 , 𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠.

𝑟=1
𝑛
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 ∑ 𝑟 = 𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑙) = (1 + 𝑛) = .
2 2 2
𝑟=1
𝑛 𝑛

4. ∑ 𝑘. 𝑢𝑟 = 𝑘 . ∑ 𝑢𝑟 .
𝑟=1 𝑟=1

∑(2𝑟 − 3) = (2(1) − 3) + (2(2) − 3) + (2(3) − 3) + (2(4) − 3) + (2(5) − 3)

𝑟=1
5

∑(2𝑟 − 3) = −1 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝐴. 𝑆. 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 = −1, 𝑑 = 2, 𝑙 = 7

𝑟=1
5
5
∑(2𝑟 − 3) = 𝑆5 = (−1 + 7) = 15
2
𝑟=1
The summation can start with a number (lower limit) other than 1.
In this case No. of terms = upper limit − lower limit +1
7

∑(5 × 2𝑟 ) = 5 × 23 + 5 × 24 + 5 × 25 + 5 × 26 + 5 × 26
𝑟=3

= 40 + 80 + 160 + 320 + 640.

80
The above is a G.S. 𝑎 = 40 , 𝑟 = = 2 , 𝑛 = 7 − 3 + 1 = 5.
40
7
𝑟
40(1 − 25 ) −1240
∑(5 × 2 ) = 𝑆5 = = = 1240.
1−2 −1
𝑟=3

Notice that not every sigma notation would be the sum of an A.S or G.S. It can be
neither, in which case we find the terms & add them up.
7

∑(2𝑛3 − 5𝑛) = 39 + 108 + 225 + 402 + 651 = 1425 .

3

___________________________________________________________________
12

𝑎. 5 ∑ 3𝑘−1 = 5(31−1 + 32−1 + 33−1 +. . . +312−1 ) = 5(30 + 31 + 32 +. . . +311 )

𝑘=1
= 5(1 + 3 + 9+ . . . +177147) = 5 ( 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝐺. 𝑆. 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 = 1, 𝑟 = 3, 𝑛 = 12)

1(1 − 312 ) −531440

= 5 × 𝑆12 =5× =5× = 1328600.
1−3 −2
___________________________________________________________________
 12

𝑏. 5 ∑ 3𝑘−1 = 5(35−1 + 36−1 + 37−1 +. . . +312−1 ) = 5(34 + 35 + 36 +. . . +311 )

𝑘=5

= 5(81 + 243 + 729+ . . . +177147)

= 5 × ( 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝐺. 𝑆. 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 = 81, 𝑟 = 3, 𝑛 = 12 − 5 + 1 = 8 )
81(1 − 38 ) −6560
= 5 × 𝑆8 = 5 × =5× = 1328400
1−3 −2

𝐿. 𝐻. 𝑆 (10 − 1 + 1 = 10 terms) 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆 (14 − 11 + 1 = 4 terms)

𝐿. 𝐻. 𝑆. = 𝑎 + (𝑎 + 𝑑) + (𝑎 + 2𝑑) + (𝑎 + 3𝑑)+ . . . +(𝑎 + 9𝑑)
10
𝑆10 = (2𝑎 + (10 − 1)𝑑) = 5(2𝑎 + 9𝑑) = 10𝑎 + 45𝑑
2

𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆. = (𝑎 + 10𝑑) + (𝑎 + 11𝑑) + (𝑎 + 12𝑑) + (𝑎 + 13𝑑)

4
𝑆4 = (2(𝑎 + 10𝑑) + (4 − 1)𝑑) = 2(2𝑎 + 20𝑑 + 3𝑑) = 4𝑎 + 46𝑑
2
L.H.S. = R.H.S
10𝑎 + 45𝑑 = 4𝑎 + 46𝑑 → 10𝑎 − 4𝑎 = 46𝑑 − 45𝑑 → 6𝑎 = 𝑑 .
 Example 1:
Given that 𝑢𝑛+2 = 3𝑢𝑛+1 − 𝑢𝑛 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑢1 = 4 & 𝑢2 = 2 ,
(a) find 𝑢3 , 𝑢4 & 𝑢5 .
𝑢3 = 3𝑢2 − 𝑢1 → 𝑢3 = 3(2) − 4 = 2
𝑢4 = 3𝑢3 − 𝑢2 → 𝑢4 = 3(2) − 2 = 4
𝑢5 = 3𝑢4 − 𝑢3 → 𝑢5 = 3(4) − 2 = 10
(b) Given that 𝑢10 = 24 & 𝑢9 = 20 Find 𝑢8 .
𝑢10 = 3𝑢9 − 𝑢8 → 𝑢8 = 3𝑢9 − 𝑢10 → 𝑢8 = 3(20) − 24 = 36.
Example2:
A sequence of terms is defined for 𝑛 ≥ 1 by the recurrence relation
𝑢𝑛+2 = 𝑚𝑢𝑛+1 + 𝑢𝑛 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡. Given 𝑢1 = 2 & 𝑢2 = 5,
(a) find an expression for 𝑢3 in terms of 𝑚
(b) hence find an expression for 𝑢4 in terms of 𝑚
(c) Given that 𝑢4 = 21, find the possible values of 𝑚 .
(a) 𝑢3 = 𝑚𝑢2 + 𝑢1 → 𝑢3 = 𝑚(5) + 2 → 𝑢3 = 5𝑚 + 2
(b) 𝑢4 = 𝑚𝑢3 + 𝑢2 → 𝑢4 = 𝑚(5𝑚 + 2) + 5 → 𝑢4 = 5𝑚2 + 2𝑚 + 5
(c) 𝑢4 = 21 → 5𝑚2 + 2𝑚 + 5 = 21 → 5𝑚2 + 2𝑚 − 16 = 0
8
𝑚 = −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑚 = .
5
Example 3:
A sequence of terms is defined for 𝑛 ≥ 1 by the recurrence relation

𝑎𝑛+1 = √𝑎𝑛 2 + 3 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛 ≥ 1 & 𝑎1 = 2 .

(a) Find 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , 𝑎4 & 𝑎5
(b) Given that 𝑎8 = 5 , 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑎7 .
(a) 𝑎2 = √𝑎1 2 + 3 = √22 + 3 = √7 , 𝑎3 = √𝑎2 2 + 3 = √7 + 3 = √10

𝑎4 = √𝑎3 2 + 3 = √(√10 )2 + 3 = √13 , 𝑎5 = √𝑎4 2 + 3 = √( √13 )2 + 3 = √16 = 4

(b) 𝑎8 = √𝑎7 2 + 3 → 5 = √𝑎7 2 + 3 → 25 = 𝑎7 2 + 3 → 𝑎7 = √22 .

Example 4:
 (a) 𝑎𝑛+1 = 3𝑎𝑛 − 𝑐 → 𝑎2 = 3𝑎1 − 𝑐 → 𝑎2 = 3(2) − 𝑐 → 𝑎2 = 6 − 𝑐

Notice that 𝑎3 = 3𝑎2 − 𝑐 → 𝑎3 = 3(6 − 𝑐 ) − 𝑐 → 𝑎3 = 18 − 4𝑐

(b) 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 = 0 → 2 + 6 − 𝑐 + 18 − 4𝑐 = 0 → 𝑐 = 5.2

Example 5:

(a) 𝑎𝑛+1 = 5𝑎𝑛 + 3 → 𝑎2 = 5𝑎1 + 3 → 𝑎2 = 5𝑘 + 3

(b) 𝑎3 = 5𝑎2 + 3 → 𝑎2 = 5(5𝑘 + 3) + 3 → 𝑎2 = 25𝑘 + 15 + 3 = 25𝑘 + 18

𝑎4 = 5𝑎3 + 3 → 𝑎4 = 5(25𝑘 + 18) + 3 → 𝑎4 = 125𝑘 + 93

4

(𝑐) ∑ 𝑎𝑟 = 𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 + 𝑎4 = 𝑘 + 5𝑘 + 3 + 25𝑘 + 18 + 125𝑘 + 93

𝑟=1

which is clearly a multiple of 6, thus it is divisible by 6.

Example 6:

___________________________________________________________________

(a) 𝑥𝑛+1 = 𝑥𝑛 (𝑝 + 𝑥𝑛 ) → 𝑥2 = 𝑥1 (𝑝 + 𝑥1 ) → 𝑥2 = 1(𝑝 + 1) = (𝑝 + 1)

(b) 𝑥3 = 𝑥2 (𝑝 + 𝑥2 ) → 𝑥3 = (𝑝 + 1)(𝑝 + 𝑝 + 1) = (𝑝 + 1)(2𝑝 + 1)

𝑥3 = 2𝑝2 + 𝑝 + 2𝑝 + 1 = 2𝑝2 + 3𝑝 + 1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑.
(c) 𝑥3 = 1 → 2𝑝2 + 3𝑝 + 1 = 1 → 2𝑝2 + 3𝑝 = 0 → 𝑝(2𝑝 + 3) = 0
𝟑
𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑝 = 0 (𝑟𝑒𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑝 ≠ 0) 𝑜𝑟 𝒑= −
𝟐
1 3 2 3 1
(d) 𝑥1 = 1 , 𝑥2 = − , 𝑥3 = 2 (− ) + 3 (− ) + 1 = 1, 𝑥4 = − 2
2 2 2
1 1 1
We can conclude that the pattern is 1 , − 2 , 1 , − 2 , 1 , − 2 , …
1
Odd positioned terms = 1 & Even positioned terms = −
2
1
Thus 𝑥2008 = − .
2