PATTERNS, SEQUENCES & SERIES (LIVE) 07 APRIL 2015

Section A: Summary Notes and Examples

Grade 11 Revision
Before you begin working with grade 12 patterns, sequences and series, it is important to revise what
you learnt in grade 11 about quadratic sequences. A quadratic sequence is a sequence in which the
second difference is constant. The general term of this sequence is 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛2 + 𝑏𝑛 + 𝑐
𝑎 = 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑏 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
𝑐 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

Example
Consider the pattern: 5; −2; −7; −10; …
1. Write down the next two terms
th
2. Determine an expression for the n terms
3. Show that the sequence will never have a term with a value less than −11

Solutions
1. −11; −10

2. Begin by identifying the sequence. Since the sequence doesn’t have a common first
difference or a constant ratio, we check to see if the sequence is quadratic.

𝑑=2 ∴𝑎=1

To find 𝑏 and 𝑐 substitute 𝑛 = 1 into 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛2 + 𝑏𝑛 + 𝑐

Equation 1
𝑇1 = 1 1 2 + 𝑏 + 𝑐
5−1 =𝑏+
∴4=𝑏+𝑐

Now substitute 𝑛 = 2

Equation 2
𝑇2 = 1 2 2 + (2)𝑏 + 𝑐
−2 = 1 2 2 + 2𝑏 + 𝑐
−6 = 2𝑏 + 𝑐

Now solve equation 1 and 2 simultaneously

Equation 2 minus equation 1

∴ −10 = 𝑏
4 = −10 + 𝑐
∴ 14 = 𝑐
∴ 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑛2 − 10𝑛 + 14

Page 1
3. 𝑛2 − 10𝑛 + 14 < −11
𝑛2 − 10𝑛 + 25 < 0
(𝑛 − 5)2 < 0
This is not true for any values of 𝑛 thus the sequence will not have a term less than −11

Arithmetic Sequences and Series

An arithmetic sequence or series is a linear number pattern in which the first difference is constant.
The general term formula allows you to determine any specific term of an arithmetic sequence. And
the sum of formula determines the sum of a specific number of terms of an arithmetic series.
The formulae are as follows:
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 where 𝑎 = 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 and 𝑑 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑] where 𝑎 = 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 and 𝑑 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [𝑎 + 𝑙] where 𝑙 is the last term
2

Note:
𝑑 = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1
𝑇1 = 𝑎 𝑇2 = 𝑎 + 𝑑 𝑇3 = 𝑎 + 2𝑑 𝑒𝑡𝑐.

Example 1
th st
The 19 term of an arithmetic sequence is 11, while the 31 term is 5.

(a) Determine the first three terms of the sequence.

𝑇19 = 𝑎 + 18𝑑 = 11
𝑇31 = 𝑎 + 30𝑑 =
∴ 12𝑑 = −6
1
∴𝑑=−
2
−1
∴ 𝑎 + 18 = 11
2

∴ 𝑎 = 20
1
∴ 20; 19 ; 19 …
2

(b) Which term of the sequence is equal to −29?

𝑇𝑛 = −29
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
1
20 + 𝑛 − 1 − = −29
2
1
∴ 𝑛−1 − = −49
2

∴ 𝑛 − 1 = 98
∴ 𝑛 = 99
∴ 𝑇99 = −29

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Example 2
1 2 3 4 180
Given: + + + + …………+
181 181 181 181 181

(a) Calculate the sum of the given series.

1 2 3 4 180
+ + + + …………+
181 181 181 181 181
1 1 180
𝑎= 𝑑= 𝑛=
181 181 181
180 1 1
𝑆180 = 2 + 179 = 90 1 = 90
2 181 181

(b) Hence calculate the sum of the following series:

1 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 180
+ + + + + + ……..+ + + …….+
2 3 3 4 4 4 181 181 181
1 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 180
+ + + + + + ……..+ + + …….+
2 3 3 4 4 4 181 181 181
1 1 1 1
= + 1 + 1 + 2 … … … . +90 [𝑎 = 𝑑= 𝑇𝑛 = 90]
2 2 2 2
1 1
∴ + 𝑛−1 = 90
2 2

∴ 1 + 𝑛 − 1 = 180
∴ 𝑛 = 180
180 1 1
∴ 𝑆180 = + 90 = 90 90 = 8145
2 2 2

Geometric Sequences and Series

A geometric sequence or series is an exponential number pattern in which the ratio is constant.
The general term formula allows you to determine any specific term of a geometric sequence. You
have also learnt formulae to determine the sum of a specific number of terms of a geometric series.
The formulae are as follows:
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎(𝑟 𝑛 − 1)
𝑆𝑛 = where 𝑟 ≠ 1
𝑟−1
𝑇1
𝑟=
𝑇2
𝑇1 = 𝑎 𝑇2 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑇3 = 𝑎𝑟 2 𝑒𝑡𝑐.

Page 3
Example 1
In a geometric sequence in which all terms are positive, the sixth term is 3 and the eighth term is
27. Determine the first term and constant ratio.
𝑇6 = 3 and 𝑇8 = 27
𝑎𝑟 5 = 3
𝑎𝑟 7 = 27
𝑎𝑟 7 27
∴ 5
=
𝑎𝑟 3
27
∴ 𝑟2 =
3
2
∴𝑟 = 9
∴ 𝑟2 = 3
∴ 𝑟 2 = 3 (terms are positive)
∴ 𝑎( 3)5 = 3
3
∴𝑎=
( 3)5
1
∴𝑎=
( 3)4
1
∴𝑎=
1
(3 )4
2

1
∴𝑎=
9

 Convergent Geometric Series

Consider the following geometric series:
1 1 1 1
+ + + + … ….
2 4 8 16
We can work out the sum of progressive terms as follows:
1
𝑆1 = = 0,5 (Start by adding in the first term)
2
1 1 3
𝑆2 = + = = 0,75 (Then add the first two terms)
2 4 4
1 1 1 7
𝑆3 = + + = = 0,875 (Then add the first three terms)
2 4 8 8
1 1 1 1 15
𝑆4 = + + + = = 0,9375 (Then add the first four terms)
2 4 8 16 16

If we continue adding progressive terms, it is clear that the decimal obtained is getting closer and
closer to 1. The series is said to converge to 1. The number to which the series converges is called
the sum to infinity of the series.
There is a useful formula to help us calculate the sum to infinity of a convergent geometric series.
𝑎
The formula is 𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟
1 1 1 1
If we consider the previous series + + + + … ….
2 4 8 16

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 1 1
It is clear that 𝑎 = and 𝑟 =
2 2
𝑎
𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟
1
2
∴ 𝑆∞ = 1 =1
1−
2

A geometric series will converge only if the constant ratio is a number between negative one and
positive one.
In other words, the sum to infinity for a given geometric series will exist only if −1 < 𝑟 < 1
If the constant ratio lies outside this interval, then the series will not converge.
For example, the geometric series 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + … … … … will not converge since the sum of
the progressive terms of the series diverges because 𝑟 = 2 which lies outside the interval −1 < 𝑟 < 1

Example 1
Given the geometric series: 8𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 4 + …
th
(a) Determine the n term of the series.
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1
1 𝑛−1
𝑇𝑛 = (8𝑥 2 ) 𝑥
2

(b) For what value(s) of 𝑥 will the series converge?

𝑥
−1 < < 1
2

= −2 < 𝑥 < 2

3
(c) Calculate the sum of the series to infinity if 𝑥 =
2
𝑎
𝑆∞ =
1−𝑟
8𝑥 2
∴ 𝑆∞ = 𝑥
1−
2
3
8(2 )2
∴ 𝑆∞ = 1 3
1− ( )
2 2

∴ 𝑆∞ = 72

 Sigma Notation
Sigma means sum of, for example 6𝑛=2 𝑛 + 1 means the sum of the five terms in the sequence n+1.
We determine the number of terms in this sequence by subtracting the number at the bottom, 2, from
the number at the top, 6, and as seen below. There are 5 terms in the sequence.
6

𝑛 + 1 = 2 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 5 + 1 + [6 + 1]
𝑛=2
6

𝑛 + 1 = 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 25
𝑛=2

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Example
(a) Calculate the value of
100

(2𝑘 − 1)
𝑘=1
100

2𝑘 − 1 = 2 1 − 1 + 2 2 − 1 + 2 3 − 1 + 2 4 − 1 + … … … . . + [2 100 − 1]
𝑘=1

= 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + … … . +199
From the question we can see that the sequence is arithmetic and further more we have the last term
𝑛
therefore, we can use the formula 𝑆𝑛 = [𝑎 + 𝑙] to calculate the sum:
2

100
𝑆100 = [1 + 199]
2
𝑆100 = 10000

(b) Write the following series in sigma notation: 2 + 5 + 8 + 11 + 14 + 17

The series is arithmetic. There are also 6 terms in the series.
𝑎=2 𝑑=3 𝑛=6

We can determine the general term as follows:

𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
∴ 𝑇𝑛 = 2 + 𝑛 − 1 (3)
∴ 𝑇𝑛 = 2 + 3𝑛 − 3
∴ 𝑇𝑛 = 3𝑛 − 1

We can now write the series in sigma notation as follows:

(2𝑘 − 1)
𝑛=1

Section B: Practice Questions

Question 1
Consider the sequence −2; 3; 8; 13; 18; 23; 28; 33; 38; … …
th
1.1 Determine the 100 term. (2)
1.2 Determine the sum of the first 100 terms. (2)

Question 2
th th
The 13 and 7 terms of an arithmetic sequence are 15 and 51 respectively.
2.1 Which term of the sequence is equal to −21 (6)

Page 6
Question 3
th rd
In a geometric sequence, the 6 term is 243 and the 3 term is 72.
Determine:
3.1 The constant ratio. (4)
3.2 The sum of the first 10 terms. (4)

Question 4
1 1 1
Consider the sequence: ; 4; ; 7; ; 10; … ..
2 4 8

4.1 If the pattern continues in the same way, write down the next TWO terms in the
sequence. (2)
4.2 Calculate the sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence. (7)

Question 5
5.1 Determine 𝑛 if
𝑛

6𝑟 − 1 = 456
𝑟 =1

(7)
5.2 Prove that:
𝑛 3
𝑘=3 2𝑘 − 1 𝑛 = 𝑛 4𝑛 (6)

Question 6
Consider the series
∞
1
2( 𝑥)𝑛
2
𝑛=1

6.1 For which values of 𝑥 will the series converge? (3)

1
6.2 If 𝑥 = , calculate the sum to infinity of this series. (3)
2

Question 7
A sequence of squares, each having side 1, is drawn as shown below. The first square is shaded, and
the length of the side of each shaded square is half the length of the side of the shaded square in the
previous diagram.

1
2

DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 4

7.1 Determine the area of the unshaded region in DIAGRAM 7. (2)

7.2 What is the sum of the areas of the unshaded regions on the first seven squares? (5)

Page 7
Question 8
st 2
A plant grows 1,5 m in 1 year. Its growth each year thereafter, is of its growth in the previous year.
3

8.1 What is the greatest height it can reach? (3)

Section C: Solutions
1.1 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑

∴ 𝑇100 = −2 + 100 − 1 5 = 493 ∴ 𝑇100 = 493

(2)
1.2 𝑛 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑]
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑] 2
2
100
𝑆100 = [2(−2) + 100 − 1 (5)]  T100  493
2
(2)
∴ 𝑆100 = 24550

2.1 𝑇13 = 15 𝑇7 = 51 𝑎 + 12𝑑 = 15

∴ 𝑎 + 12𝑑 = 15 ∴ 𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 51  𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 51
∴ 𝑎 + 12𝑑 = 15 … . 𝐴  𝑑 = −6
∴ 𝑎 + 6𝑑 = 51 … . 𝐵  𝑎 = 87
∴ 6𝑑 = −36 𝐴−𝐵 87 − 6𝑛 + 6 = −21
∴ 𝑑 = −6  𝑛 = 19
∴ 𝑎 + 12(−6) = 15 (6)
∴ 𝑎 = −72 = 25
∴ 𝑎 = 87

𝑇𝑛 = 21
∴ 𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑 = −21
∴ 87 + 𝑛 − 1 −6 = −21
∴ 87 − 6𝑛 + 6 = −21
∴ 𝑛 = 19
∴ 𝑇19 = −21

3.1 𝑇6 = 243 AND 𝑇3 = 72 𝑎. 𝑟 5 = 243

𝑎. 𝑟 5 = 243 … A 𝑎. 𝑟 2 = 72 … B 𝑎. 𝑟 2 = 72
27
𝑎. 𝑟 5 = 243 … A 𝑟 3 =
8
𝑎. 𝑟 2 = 72 … B 3
27 𝑟 =
2
∴ 𝑟3 = ….A ÷ B (4)
8
3
∴𝑟=
2

3 3 5
3.2 Substitute 𝑟 = into A
2 𝑎 = 243
2
3 5
∴𝑎 = 243  𝑎 = 32
2
3
32 (2 )10 −1
∴ 𝑎 = 32 ∴ 𝑆10 = 3
3 −1
32 ( )10 − 1 2
2
∴ 𝑆10 = 3
−1  answer (4)
2

3
32 ( )10 − 1
2
∴ 𝑆10 = 3 = 3626,5625
−1
2

Page 8
 1
4.1 ; 13  answers (2)
16

4.2 𝑆50 = 25 terms of 1st sequence which is geometric +25 terms of  separating into an
2nd sequence which is arithmetic . arithmetic and
geometric series
1 1 1
𝑆50 = + + + ⋯ to 25 terms 1 1
2 4 8 (2 )25 −1
+ 4 + 7 + 10 + 13 + ⋯ to 25 terms  2 1
−1
2
1 1  correct formulae
( )25 − 1 25
2 2
𝑆50 = 1 + 2 4 + 24(3) 25
−1 2  2 4 + 24(3)
2 2

𝑆50 = 0,999999 … + 1000  answer (7)

𝑆50 = 1001,00

5.1  expanding
𝑛

6𝑟 − 1 = 6 1 − 1 + 6 2 − 1 + + 6 3 − 1 + …  correct formula
𝑟 −1
𝑛
+ 6 𝑛 − 1 = 456 456 = (2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
2
= 5 + 11 + 17 + ⋯ + 6𝑛 − 1 = 456
0 = 3𝑛² + 2𝑛 − 456
This is an arithmetic sequence since we can see that 𝑑 = 6
𝑛  3𝑛 + 38 𝑛 − 12 = 0
𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑)
2
38
𝑛 ∴ 𝑛 = − or 𝑛 = 12
3
∴ 456 = (2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 1 𝑑
2
∴ 𝑛 = 12
𝑛
∴ 456 = (2 5 + 𝑛 − 1 6
2 (7)
𝑛
∴ 456 = (10 + 6𝑛 − 6)
2
𝑛
∴ 456 = (4 + 6𝑛)
2

∴ 456 = 2𝑛 + 3𝑛²

∴ 0 = 3𝑛² + 2𝑛 − 456

∴ 3𝑛 + 38 𝑛 − 12 = 0

∴ 3𝑛 = −38 or 𝑛 = 12

38
∴𝑛=− or 𝑛 = 12
3

∴ 𝑛 = 12

𝑛
5.2  expanding
2𝑘 − 1 𝑛 = 5𝑛 + 7𝑛 + 9𝑛 + ⋯ + 2𝑛 − 1 𝑛
𝑘=3  𝑎 = 5𝑛, 𝑑 = 2𝑛

∴ 𝑎 = 5𝑛, 𝑑 = 2𝑛 and number of terms = 2 − 𝑛  number of terms

=𝑛−2

Page 9
 𝑛−2
∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = [2𝑎 + 𝑛 − 2 − 1 𝑑]
2  correct formula
𝑛−2  substitution
∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = [2(5𝑛) + 𝑛 − 3(2𝑛 ]  answer
2
𝑛−2 (6)
∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = [10𝑛 + 2𝑛2 − 6𝑛]
2
𝑛−2
∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = [2𝑛2 + 4𝑛]
2

∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = 2𝑛 𝑛 − 2 + 𝑛²(𝑛 − 2)

∴ 𝑆𝑛−2 = 2𝑛² − 4𝑛 + 𝑛³ − 2𝑛² = 𝑛³ − 4𝑛

∞ 1
6.1 1 𝑟 = 𝑥
2( 𝑥)𝑛 2
1
2 −1 < 𝑥 < 1
𝑛−1 2
1 1 1 1 −2 < 𝑥 < 2
= 2( 𝑥)1 + 2( 𝑥)2 + 2( 𝑥)3 + 2( 𝑥)4 + ⋯
2 2 2 2 (3)
1 1 1
= 𝑥 + 𝑥² + 𝑥³ + 𝑥⁴ +....
2 4 8

The series converges for

1
−1 < 𝑥 < 1
2
−2 < 𝑥 < 2

6.2 𝑎=
1
𝑟=
1 1
=
1 𝑎 and 𝑟
2 2 2 4 𝑆∞ formula
2
1 
2 2 3
∴ 𝑆∞ = 1 = (3)
1− 3
4

1
2

DIAGRAM 1 DIAGRAM 2 DIAGRAM 3 DIAGRAM 4

7.1 Area of unshaded square 1 1

 1 1 −
= Area of large square – Area of small shaded square 4 4
15
1 1 
16
= 1 1 −
4 4 (2)
1 15
=1− =
16 16

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7.2 Sum of the unshaded areas of the first seven squares:  Getting the pattern for
1 1 1 the unshaded areas
= 1−1 + 1− + 1 − 2 + …+ 1 − 6
4 4 4  correct formula
 substitution
1 1 1  answer
= 7 − 1 + + 2 + ⋯+ 6
4 4 4 (5)

1
1 1 − ( )7
4
=7 1
1−
4

= 7 − 1,333251953 6
4
= 5,67

8 1,5  correct formula

∴ 𝑆∞ = 2  substitution
1−
3  answer

∴ 𝑆∞ = 45m

Thus the greatest height is 4,5 m

Page 11