Edexcel IGCSE Further Your notes
Pure Maths
Arithmetic & Geometric Series
Contents
Sigma Notation
Arithmetic Sequences & Series
Geometric Sequences & Series
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Sigma Notation
Your notes
Sigma Notation
What is sigma notation?
Sigma notation is used to show the sum of a certain number of terms in a sequence
The symbol Σ is the capital Greek letter sigma
Σ stands for ‘sum’
The expression to the right of the Σ tells you what is being summed
The limits above and below tell you which terms you are summing
r and k are both common variables to use when writing sigma sums
Be careful, the limits don’t have to start with 1
∑= 2k + 1 ∑= 2k − 13
4 14
For example ( ) or ( )
k 0 k 7
You need to be able to read and use sigma notation when answering questions
about series
For example the sum of the fifth through ninth terms of an arithmetic series
∑ a+ k −1 d
9
This could be written as ( ( ) )
k =5
Or the sum of the first n terms of a geometric series
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∑= ar −
n
This could be written as k 1
k 1 Your notes
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Your calculator may be able to use sigma notation
If so make sure you know how it works
You can use this to check your work
Worked Example
The terms of a series are defined by u
n
= 2 × 3n −1 , for n = 1, 2, 3, ... .
(a) Write an expression for the sum of the first six terms of the series using sigma
notation.
Use sum limits from 1 to 6
∑u
6
k
k =1
Note that 'n ' is replaced by 'k ' to match the variable used for the sigma sum
Now replace u with the actual formula, being sure to use k instead of n again
k
6
∑
k=1
2 × 3k − 1
( )
(b) Write an expression for the sum of the seventh through twelfth terms of the series
using sigma notation.
This will be the same as in part (a), except that the limits will be 7 on the bottom and 12
on the top
12
∑
k=7
2 × 3k − 1
( )
(c) Write an expression for the sum of the first n terms of the series using sigma
notation.
This is very similar to the above, but the sum limits will start at 1 and go to n
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∑u
n
k =1
k Your notes
Be careful here – k is the variable for the sigma sum, and n means we're going up to
the n th term
n
∑ 2 × 3k − 1
k=1
( )
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Arithmetic Sequences & Series
Your notes
Arithmetic Sequences
What is an arithmetic sequence?
In an arithmetic sequence, the difference between consecutive terms in the sequence
is constant
This means a common difference is added to each term to get the next term
The first term of the sequence is denoted by a
The common difference is denoted by d
For example, 1, 4, 7, 10, … is an arithmetic sequence with the rule ‘start at one and add
three to each number’
a
The first term, , is 1
The common difference, , is 3 d
An arithmetic sequence can be
increasing (positive common difference), or
decreasing (negative common difference)
Terms in an arithmetic sequence can be referred to
by the letter u with
a subscript corresponding to its place in the sequence
e.g. u
1
= a is the first term, u 9 is the ninth term, u n is the n th term, etc.
Arithmetic Series
What is an arithmetic series?
When the terms of an arithmetic sequence are added together, that is known as an
arithmetic series
The terms (1st term, 2nd term, 3rd term, etc.) are exactly the same in the sequence
and series
But with series we're most interested in what happens when the terms are added
together
How do I find a term in an arithmetic series?
The nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence is
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un = a + n − 1 d
( )
Your notes
Where a is the first term, and d is the common difference
This is not given on the exam formula sheet, so make sure you know it
The formula allows you to find any term in the arithmetic series
Enter the values of a , r and n and calculate the value of u
n
Sometimes you will be given a term ( u n ) and asked to find a or d
Substitute the information you have into the formula and solve the equation
Sometimes you will be given two terms and asked to find both and a d
Substitute the information into the formula and set up a pair of simultaneous
equations
Then solve the simultaneous equations
How do I find the sum of an arithmetic series?
An arithmetic series is the sum of the terms in an arithmetic sequence
For the arithmetic sequence 1, 4, 7, 10, … the arithmetic series is 1 + 4 + 7 + 10 + …
Use the following formula to find the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic series:
n⎡
Sn = ⎢ 2a + n − 1 d ⎤⎥⎦
2⎣
( )
a is the first term
d is the common difference
The formula is given on the exam formula sheet
So you don't need to remember it
But you do need to know how to use it!
A question will often give you the sum of a certain number of terms and ask you to find
a d
the value of or
Substitute the information you have into the formula and solve the equation
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The formula for the sum of an arithmetic series is on the exam formula sheet
But the nth term formula is not on the formula sheet
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Simultaneous equations are often needed within arithmetic series questions
Make sure you are confident solving them! Your notes
Worked Example
The fourth term of an arithmetic series is 10 and the ninth term is 25. Find the first term
and the common difference of the series.
Put the information for the fourth and ninth terms into the nth term formula
un = a + n − 1 d
( )
For u
4
a + 4 − 1 d = 10
( )
a + 3d = 10
For u
9
a + 9 − 1 d = 25
( )
a + 8d = 25
That gives us two simultaneous equations in a and d
Subtract the u equation from the u equation to eliminate a
4 9
5d = 15
d =3
Substitute that value into the first equation to find a
a + 3 3 = 10
( )
a + 9 = 10
a=1
That is all the information we need to answer the question
a = 1, d = 3
Worked Example
The sum of the first 10 terms of an arithmetic series is 630.
The first term is 18.
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a) Find the common difference, d , of the series.
n⎡ Your notes
Use the arithmetic series formula Sn = ⎢ 2a + n − 1 d ⎥
⎤
2
( )
⎣ ⎦
Here n = 10, S10 = 630 and a = 18
Substitute in and solve for d
10 ⎡
630 = ⎢ 2 18 + 10 − 1 d ⎥
⎤
2 ⎣
( ) ( )
⎦
630 = 5 ⎡⎢⎣ 36 + 9d ⎤⎥⎦
630 = 180 + 45d
450 = 45d
d = 450 ÷ 45
d = 10
The sum of the first 10 terms of another arithmetic series is also 630.
The common difference is 11.
b) Find the first term, a , of the series.
Here n = 10, S10 = 630 and d = 11
10 ⎡
630 = ⎢ 2 a + 10 − 1 11 ⎥
⎤
2
( )
⎣ ⎦
630 = 5 ⎡⎢⎣ 2a + 99 ⎤⎥⎦
630 = 10a + 495
135 = 10a
a = 135 ÷ 10
a = 13 . 5
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Geometric Sequences & Series
Your notes
Geometric Sequences
What is a geometric sequence?
In a geometric sequence, there is a common ratio between consecutive terms in the
sequence
This means each term is multiplied by a common ratio to get the next term
The first term of the sequence is denoted by a
The common ratio is denoted by r
For example, 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, … is a sequence with the rule ‘start at two and multiply
each number by three’
a
The first term, , is 2
The common ratio, , is 3 r
A geometric sequence can be
increasing (r > 1), or
decreasing (0 < r < 1)
If the common ratio is a negative number the terms will alternate between positive and
negative values
For example, 1, -4, 16, -64, 256, … is a sequence with the rule ‘start at one and multiply
each number by negative four’
a
The first term, , is 1
The common ratio, , is -4 r
Terms in a geometric sequence can be referred to
by the letter u with
a subscript corresponding to its place in the sequence
e.g. u
1
= a is the first term, u 9 is the ninth term, u n is the n th term, etc.
Geometric Series
What is a geometric series?
When the terms of a geometric sequence are added together, that is known as a
geometric series
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The terms (1st term, 2nd term, 3rd term, etc.) are exactly the same in the sequence
and series
Your notes
But with the series we're most interested in what happens when the terms are added
together
How do I find a term in a geometric series?
The n th term formula for a geometric series is
u n = a rn −1
Where a is the first term, and r is the common ratio
This is not given on the exam formula sheet, so make sure you know it
The formula allows you to find any term in the geometric series
Enter the values of a , r and n and calculate the value of u
n
Sometimes you will be given a term and asked to find or a r
Substitute the information you have into the formula and solve the equation
Sometimes you will be given two or more consecutive terms and asked to find both a
and r
Find the common ratio by dividing a term by the one immediately before it
u n +1
r=
un
Substitute this and one of the terms into the formula to find the first term
a r
Sometimes you may be given a term along with and and asked to find the value of
n
You can solve this using logarithms on your calculator
How do I find the sum of a geometric series?
A geometric series is the sum of the terms in a geometric sequence
For the geometric sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, … the geometric series is 2 + 6 + 18 + 54 + …
Use the following formula to find the sum of the first n terms of a geometric series:
a 1 − rn
Sn =
( )
1−r
a is the first term
r is the common ratio
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The formula is given on the exam formula sheet
So you don't need to remember it Your notes
But you do need to know how to use it!
If r > 1 the following rearrangement of the formula might be more convenient:
a rn − 1
Sn =
( )
r−1
This version is not on the formula sheet
The formula sheet version will always work as well
A question will often give you the sum of a certain number of terms and ask you to find
ar n
the values of , or
Substitute the information you have into the formula and solve the equation
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The formula for the sum of a geometric series is on the exam formula sheet
But the nth term formula is not on the formula sheet
You will sometimes need to use logarithms to answer geometric series questions
Make sure you are confident doing this
And know how your calculator handles logarithms
Worked Example
The sixth term of a geometric series is 486 and the seventh term is 1458.
Find
(a) the common ratio of the series
Find the common ratio by dividing a term by the term immediately before it
7th term
Here r = 6th term
1458
r=
486
r =3
(b) the first term of the series.
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Use the nth term formula u
n
= a rn −1
Your notes
For the 6th term, we know u
6
= 486 , r = 3 and n = 6
486 = a × 3 6 − 1
( )
486 = a × 35
486 = 243a
486
a=
243
a =2
Worked Example
The first term of a geometric series is 25, and the common ratio is 0.8.
Find the value of the fifth term, as well as the sum of the first 5 terms.
To find the fifth term, use the nth term formula u
n
= a rn −1
Here n = 5, a = 25 and r = 0 . 8
fifth term = 25 × 0 . 8 5 − 1 ( )
= 25 × 0 . 84
fifth term = 10 . 24
To find the sum of the first 5 terms, use the sum of a geometric series formula
a 1 − rn
Sn =
( )
1−r
Again, a = 25 and r = 0 . 8
25 1 − 0 . 85
S5 =
( )
1 − 0.8
Use your calculator to work this out
S 5 = 84 . 04
Sum to Infinity
What is the sum to infinity of a geometric series?
The sum to infinity is the sum of all the terms in a geometric series
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u 1 + u 2 + u 3 + ... 'all the way to infinity'
As n increases the terms of a geometric series may Your notes
move further away from zero
if r > 1 or r < − 1
stay the same distance away from zero
if r = 1 or r = − 1
get closer and closer to zero
if −1 < r < 1
If the terms are getting closer to zero then the series is said to converge
This means that the sum of the series will approach a finite 'limiting value'
As n increases, the sum of the terms will get closer and closer to the limiting value
The limiting value is the sum to infinity of the series
It is denoted by S
∞
How do I calculate the sum to infinity?
First you need to consider the value of r
If
r < 1 then the sequence converges
r < 1 is the same as −1 < r < 1
In this case the sum to infinity can be calculated
If
r ≥ 1 then the sequence does not converge
r ≥ 1 is the same as r ≤ − 1 or r ≥ 1
In this case the sum to infinity cannot be calculated
If |r | < 1 , then the sum converges to a finite value given by the formula
a
S∞ = ,
r < 1
1−r
a is the first term
r is the common ratio
The formula is given on the exam formula sheet
So you don't need to remember it
But you do need to know how to use it!
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Your notes
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Always check the r
< 1 condition before calculating a sum to infinity
Marks may depend on showing this in your working
Worked Example
2
The first three terms of a geometric sequence are 6 , 2, 3
. Show that the sum to
infinity of the series exists, and then find the sum to infinity.
To show the sum to infinity exists we need to know the value of the common ratio r
We can find this by dividing a term by the term immediately before it
2 1
r= =3
6
This satisfies r
< 1, so the series converges and the sum to infinity exists
r < 1 , so the series converges
a
Now use the sum to infinity formula S∞ =
1−r
1
Here a = 6 and r =
3
6
S∞ =
1
1−
3
6
= ⎛ 2 ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝
3 ⎠
3
=6× 2
S∞=9
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