MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics

2 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD

Target Learning Outcomes

You’ll know you have successfully completed this module when you are able to
1. Understand and appreciate the laws and nature in mathematics.
2. Observe the shapes and patterns occurring in nature and discover the mathematical concepts and operations
3. on these shapes and patterns.
4. Compute the terms of a Fibonacci sequence.
5. Derive the general formula and the sum of some sequences, and apply the formulas.

Introduction
Remember when you were in the first years of your education? You had been told by your teacher that Mathematics is a science of
numbers, shapes, order and arrangement. However, as you grow, you are learning the complexity and beauty of the subject. According to
Mitchener (1996), Mathematics of today is much more than arithmetic and geometry, it is a diverse discipline that deals with data,
measurements, and observations from science. It is a systematized knowledge that deals with logical thinking and quantitative calculations,
and is increasing the degree of its abstraction. Even back to our prehistoric times to the present era – Mathematics holds a significant
contribution to all the things around us and in everything that we do. It is elemental in our daily lives including in the technology that we have,
architectures, arts, engineering, economy, sports, etc.
For a brief history, civilizations such Ancient Egypt, Norte Chico, Minoan civilization, Ancient China, Mesoamerica and the Indus Valley
contributed to mathematics as we know it today. Sumer ( a region in Mesopotamia – known today as Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers), was the birthplace of writing, taxations, wheels, agriculture, irrigations and other innovations and is often referred as the Cradle of
Civilization. In 5,000 BC, the Sumerians were the first to develop Mathematics as a formal area of teaching and learning in response to the
bureaucratic needs when their civilization settled and developed agriculture.
Fast forward today, had you wonder how chaotic the world is, without Mathematics? Or you are one of those individual that
stereotyped Mathematics as difficult and wonder what is its used to your everyday life? The moment you woke up today, there was already
numbers and patterns involved. Had you set your alarm? Were you late? Before going out from your house had you checked how many hours
are you going to travel to your destination? Is you money enough for fares and snacks?. Had you wonder how the train or the engine of your
car works? Did you marveled how your mobile device connects you to your love ones even how far they are from you? Had you wonder a 100-
storey building could stand up proud without collapsing? All of these and many more are because of the study and application of Mathematics.
As mentioned that Mathematics is not just numbers, numerous things around us are shaped naturally and intentionally by purpose.
Shapes and patterns are souls of mathematics. The ability to identify and construct patterns helps draw predictions based on observations, this
is an important skill in this area of discipline. In this chapter, we will learn how Mathematics played vital roles in the world around us both in
human endeavors and natural phenomena.

Lesson 1. Numbers and Patterns in Nature

Understanding the shapes and patterns prepares the students on learning the Mathematical concepts and operations. Studying it
allows individuals to enhance their ability to predict future behavior such as those of natural organisms and phenomena.
A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the components of a pattern repeat in an
expected manner. A geometric pattern is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated like a wallpaper design. It is a
series of sequence that repeats.
Let us take a look on the patterns below:
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 3
Example 1.

The first three figures of a pattern are given. What do you think will be the next figure?
A B C D

Solution: If you notice, the square at the top left corner is always white and the colors then alternate between black and white - going
across and going down. The correct answer, therefore, is B.

Example. Guess the next number in the given sequence below.

Solution. This sequence has a difference of 5 between each number. The pattern is continued by adding 5 to the last number each
time. Thus the last number on the sequence above is 43.

Patterns in nature are visible uniformities of form found in the natural world. These patterns recur in different contexts and can
sometimes be modelled mathematically. Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders, waves, foams, tessellations, cracks
and stripes.[1] Early Greek philosophers studied pattern, with Plato, Pythagoras and Empedocles attempting to explain order in nature. The
modern understanding of visible patterns developed gradually over time.
The marvel of mathematics in nature is enormous. Have you noticed how patterns and shapes in nature arrange themselves? Nothing
in nature happens by chance, they all serve purpose and they deserve our admiration.

Fractals
A fractal is a detailed pattern that looks similar at any scale and repeats itself over time. A fractal's pattern gets more complex as you
observe it at larger scales.
4 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD

Fractals

Fractal dimension can be illustrated by considering a specific example: the snowflake curve defined by Helge von Koch in 1904. It is
a purely mathematical figure with a six-fold symmetry, like a natural snowflake. It is self-similar in that it consists of three identical parts, each
of which in turn is made of four parts that are exact scaled-down versions of the whole. It follows that each of the four parts itself consists of four
parts that are-scaled down versions of the whole. There would be nothing surprising if the scaling factor were also four, since that would be
true of a line segment or a circular arc. However, for the snowflake curve, the scaling factor at each stage is three. The fractal dimension, D,
denotes the power to which 3 must be raised to produce 4—i.e., 3D= 4. The dimension of the snowflake curve is thus D = log 4/log 3, or roughly
1.26.
Examples of fractals in nature are snowflakes, trees branching, lightning, and ferns, clouds, mountains, river networks, cauliflower or
broccoli, and systems of blood vessels. Even trees and ferns are fractal in natures and can be modeled on a computer using recursive algorithms.
Some applications of fractal patterns can be seen in seismology, signal and image compression, computer graphics, classifying histopathogy,
arts, music and fashion.

Spirals
A spiral is a curved pattern that focuses on a center point and a series of
circular shapes that revolve around it. Examples of spirals are pine cones, pineapples,
hurricanes. A spiral shape for plant causes them to condense themselves and not take
up as much space, causing it to be stronger and more durable against the elements.
A golden spiral can be approximated by first starting with a rectangle for
which the ratio between its length and width is the golden ratio. This rectangle can
then be partitioned into a square and a similar rectangle and this newest rectangle
can then be split in the same way. After continuing this process for an arbitrary
number of steps, the result will be an almost complete partitioning of the rectangle
into squares. The corners of these squares can be connected by quarter-circles. The result, though not a true logarithmic spiral, closely
approximates a golden spiral.
Another approximation is a Fibonacci spiral, which is constructed slightly differently. A Fibonacci spiral starts with a rectangle
partitioned into 2 squares. In each step, a square the length of the rectangle's longest side is added to the rectangle. Since the ratio between
consecutive Fibonacci numbers approaches the golden ratio as the Fibonacci numbers approach infinity, so too does this spiral get more
similar to the previous approximation the more squares are added, as illustrated by the image.
Examples of spirals in nature are sunflowers, whirlpool, human fingerprint, some plants and ferns, and snails. Some applications of spirals are
but not limited to microbiology, DNA, art, spiral progression, in computer softwares. Making prototypes.

Voronoi
In mathematics, a Voronoi diagram is a partition of a plane into regions close to each of a given set of objects. Each cell in a Voronoi
pattern has a seed point. Everything inside a cell is closer to it than to any other seed. The lines between cells are always halfway between
neighboring seeds. Each point along a region’s edge is equidistant from the two nearest seeds.
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 5

There are regular patterns of voronoi like the brown spots on giraffes, and regular patterns like in honeycombs of bees. For regular
patterns, they are modeled by a mathematical technique known as voronoi tessellation. You can see examples of Voronoi patterns in the skin
of a giraffe, corn on the cob, honeycombs, foam bubbles, the cells in a leaf, dragonflies wings and a head of garlic. Some of its applications can
help solve geometric problems and patterns of growth, and to predict the shape of epithelial cells—the cells that line the surfaces of our skin,
intestines, blood vessels, and organs.

Lesson 2. Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci known also as Leonardo of Pisa , is an Italian Mathematician in the Republic of Pisa was tagged as the most talented
mathematician of the Middle Ages, who -along with his several works introduced first to the Western European the Fibonacci numbers in his
book Liber Abaci.
Fibonacci numbers, commonly denoted of 𝐹! , form a sequence called Fibonacci sequence, such that each successive number is the
sum of the two previous numbers, starting from 0 and 1.
That is the first sequence is 𝐹" followed by 𝐹# as the second number of the sequence. The first two terms are
𝐹" = 0 and 𝐹# = 1
and the next sequence 𝐹! is given by the formula
𝐹! = 𝐹!$# + 𝐹!$% for 𝑛 < 1.

The first few terms of the Fibonacci Sequence are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89……..

Some books omitted 𝐹" = 0, as Fibonacci eliminated the first term 𝐹" in his book Liber Abaci making the sequence begin with
𝐹# = 1 for 𝐹! = 𝐹!$# + 𝐹!$% is valid when n >2. Hence the sequence is
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89……..

Example 1. When n begins with 1, find the following:

a. Find F10 ? b. Find F21 ? c. Find the 3rd term

Solution: Listing a longer list of Fibonacci sequence starting with F1= 1, as the first term, then
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597, 2584, 4181, 6765, 10946, 17711, 28657, 46368,…
Hence,
a. F10 = 55
b. F21 = 10946
c. F3 = 2
6 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD
Example 2. When the sequence of Fibonacci starts with n =0, find the following
a. Find F10 ? b. Find F11 ? c. Find F21 ?
d. Find F22 ? e. Find the 3rd term?

Solution: Listing a longer list of Fibonacci sequence beginning with 0 as the first term then
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597, 2584, 4181, 6765, 10946, 17711, 28657, 46368,…
Hence,
a. F10 = 34
b. F11 = 55
c. F21 = 6765
d. F22 = 10946
e. F3 = 1

Golden Ratio
As mentioned in previous lesson that Fibonacci numbers approaches to Golden Ratio (𝜙,symbol of phi, or some uses its decendants 𝜑)
that is equivalent to 1.618…….(lots of numbers). From the given sequence above, the golden ratio is obtained by dividing the number by the
immediate number behind it of the given sequence. That is by choosing two consecutive numbers, you divide the larger number by the smaller
number. If you noticed, you will not get an exact 1.618 but as you go further the quotient will approach to it.

Generally, we can find the golden ratio by dividing a line into two parts (preferably
not equal parts). Dividing the long part, 𝒂, by the smaller part, 𝒃, is also equivalent to
the whole part divided by the long part. That is
𝑎 𝑎+𝑏
=
𝑏 𝑎
Setting 𝑏 = 1 and simplifying the above equation we get
𝑎 𝑎+1
=
1 𝑎
𝑎% = 𝑎 + 1
𝑎% − 𝑎 − 1 = 0
Applying the quadratic formula we arrive with
1 ± √5
𝑎=
2
#&√(
The golden value is the positive value which is 𝑎 = % , or approximately equivalent to 1.618 … .
Dividing two consecutive terms of the Fibonacci sequence will eventually give us the same value of 1.618 …. To illustrate this, we get the ratio
of the first few terms of the sequence, and notice how the ratio will lead to the golden ratio!

Illustration. Dividing two consecutive terms of the Fibonacci sequence, we get

1 5 21 89
=1 = 1.666 … = 1.615 … = 1.618 …
1 3 13 55
2 8 34 144
=2 = 1.6 = 1.619 … = 1.618 …
1 5 21 89
3 13 55 233
= 1.5 = 1.625 = 1.617 … = 1.618 …
2 8 34 144
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 7

Lesson 3. Sequence and Series

SEQUENCE
A sequence is an enumerated list of objects in which repetitions are allowed and order does matter. An infinite sequence is a function
whose domain is the set of positive integers. The values
𝑎# , 𝑎% , 𝑎) , 𝑎* , 𝑎( , … , 𝑎! ,…
are the terms of the sequence, with the domain of positive integers usually written as subscript of the sequence. These subscripts tell us the
order of the number in the sequence. For example, in the sequence of positive even integers, we see that the first few terms are 𝑎# = 2, 𝑎% =
4, 𝑎) = 6, and so on. This list of even integers is infinite and is usually listed as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, … which means that there is no last term. The
sequence becomes finite if it has a countable element, having a first term and last term.

Note: There are occasions that the domain included 0 as the first sequence giving
𝑎" , 𝑎# , 𝑎% , 𝑎) , 𝑎* , 𝑎( , … , 𝑎! ,…

Example. Let us try writing the first four terms of a sequence given by 𝑎! = 4𝑛 − 2. Beginning with n= 1
𝑎# = 4(1)– 2 = 2 1st term
𝑎% = 4(2)– 2 = 6 2nd term
𝑎) = 4(3)– 2 = 10 3rd term
𝑎* = 4(4)– 2 = 14 4th term

Hence, the first four terms of the given function are 2, 6, 10, 14.

Example. For the function an = 3n - 1 , what are the first 6 terms?

a1 = 31 - 1 = 2 1st term
a2 = 32 - 1 = 8 2nd term
a3 = 33 - 1 = 26 3rd term
a4= 34 - 1= 80 4th term
a5 = 35 - 1= 242 5th term
a6 = 36 - 1= 728 6th term

Hence, the first six terms of the function are 2, 8, 26, 80, 242 and 728.

%! – )
Example. Write the first four terms of a sequence given by an = !
%" – )
a1 = = -1 1st term
#
8 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD
%# – )
a2 = = 1 /2 2nd term
%
%$ – )
a3 = )
= 5/3 3rd term
%% – )
a4= = 13/4 4th term
*

In previous examples, you are given of a function and you look for the terms of the sequence, for the following samples let us reverse
the process. You will be provided of a sequence, then you find the nth term of the function or the equation of the sequence.

Example. Write the expression for the following sequence: 1, 4, 7, 10,13…..

Solution:
Terms : 1, 4, 7, 10,13…..an
For n : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,……n
If you observe the pattern, each term is two less than thrice of n, this implies that
an= 3n – 2
Example. Write the expression for the following sequence: -2, 4, -8, 16, -32, 64…… Now for this example you noticed that the
sequence has alternating signs and each term is (-2) raised to the power of n. Thus the infinite function is an = (-2)n .

Recursive Sequence
Recursive Sequence is a sequence in which the terms are defined by using one or more previous terms which are given. The Fibonacci
sequence is a good example of a recursive sequence.
Example. Covid-19 brought so much grief and difficulties globally. As the government see to it that we heal as one, His Excellency
advised the Finance Department that the first four rated as poorest of the poor cities – City1 to 4, respectively, will be getting enough financial
aid with the following scenario. Identify the financial aid each city will get.
Given: City1 = 21 Million Cityn = an-1 + 2 Million; where n ≥ 2
Solution: Hypothetically, for n ≥ 2
City1= 21 Million; this term is given 1st term
for n = 2; City2 = City2-1 + 2 = City1 + 2 = 21 + 2 = 23 2nd term
for n = 3; City3 = City3-1 + 2 = City2 + 2 = 23 + 2 = 25 3rd term
for n = 4; City4 = City4 -1 + 2 = City3 + 2 = 25 + 2 = 27 4th term
Hence, City1, City2, City3, and City4, will have 21 Million, 23 Million, 25 Million, and 27 Million respectively.

Example 7. Find the succeeding consecutive four terms of the recursive sequence where the first term is given.
a1 = 32; an+1 = an - 4; k≥2
Solution: When k ≥ 2, we will have the following function, however if you notice we don’t have the second term a2.
for n = 2; a2+1 = a2 – 4 = a3 = a2 – 4 a2 is unknown here
for n = 3; a3+1 = a3 – 4 = a4 = a3 – 4 for a2 is unknown, and so a3
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 9

Then we need to fine a2 first, so using n = 1,

𝑎#&# = 𝑎# – 4
𝑎% = 32 − 4
𝑎% = 28
Thus,
𝑎# = 32 1st term is given
𝑎% = 28 2nd term
for n = 2;
𝑎%&# = 𝑎% − 4
𝑎) = 28 − 4 = 24 3rd term
for n = 3;
𝑎)&# = 𝑎) − 4
𝑎* = 24 − 4 = 20 4th term
for n = 4;
𝑎*&# = 𝑎* − 4
𝑎( = 20 − 4 = 16 5th term
Hence, the succeeding consecutive four terms of the sequence are 28,24,20, and 16.

Arithmetic Sequence
The sequence is said to be arithmetic when they have common difference between consecutive terms. Let 𝑎# , 𝑎% , 𝑎) , 𝑎* , 𝑎( , … , 𝑎! ,…
be arithmetic sequence, then
𝑎% − 𝑎# = 𝑎) − 𝑎% = ⋯ = 𝑎!$# − 𝑎! = ⋯ = 𝑑
thus the form of the arithmetic sequence to the nth term is
1st term: 𝑎# = 𝑎#

2nd term: 𝑎% = 𝑎# + 𝑑

3rd term: 𝑎) = 𝑎% + 𝑑
but
𝑎% = 𝑎# + 𝑑
thus
𝒂𝟑 = 𝑎# + 𝑑 + 𝑑 = 𝒂𝟏 + 𝟐𝒅

4th term: 𝑎* = 𝑎# + 3𝑑
⋮ ⋮
nth term: 𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

Where 𝑛 is the number of terms, 𝑎# is the first term and 𝑑 is the common difference.
10 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD

Example. Write the first five terms of the arithmetic sequence 𝑎! = 55 + 3𝑛. Assume that 𝑛 begins with 1
Solution:
𝑎# = 55 + 3(1) = 58
𝑎% = 55 + 3(2) = 61
𝑎) = 55 + 3(3) = 64
𝑎* = 55 + 3(4) = 67
𝑎( = 55 + 3(5) = 70

Hence the first 5 terms of the Arithmetic sequence are 58, 61, 64, 67,70

Example. Write the first five terms of the arithmetic sequence having 𝑎# = 20 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 = −2
Solution: We may use formula for the nth term 𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑. This gives
𝑎# = 20
𝑎% = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 20 + [(2 − 1) (−2)] = 18
𝑎) = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 20 + [(3 − 1) (−2)] = 16
𝑎* = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 20 + [(4 − 1) (−2)] = 14
𝑎( = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 20 + [(5 − 1) (−2)] = 12

Hence, the first 5 terms of the Arithmetic sequence are 20, 18, 16, 14, 12

Example. Recursively, find the missing term of the arithmetic sequence with the following given that
𝑎# = 5; 𝑎% = 11; 𝑎/ = ?
Solution:
First let us find the common difference 𝑑, that is
𝑑 = 𝑎% − 𝑎#
𝑑 = 11 − 5
𝑑=6

Then, find 𝑎/ or the 7th term, or n =7

𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎/ = 𝑎# + (7 − 1)6
𝑎/ = 5 + (6)6
𝒂𝟕 = 41

Geometric Sequence
In a geometric sequence, the two consecutive terms have a common ratio. That is if
𝑎# , 𝑎% , 𝑎) , 𝑎* , 𝑎( , … , 𝑎! ,…,
is a geometric sequence, then
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 11
𝑎% 𝑎) 𝑎* 𝑎!
= = =⋯= =⋯=𝑟
𝑎# 𝑎% 𝑎) 𝑎!$#
The terms of a geometric sequence has the form
1st term: 𝑎# = 𝑎#

2nd term: 𝑎% = 𝑎# 𝑟

3rd term: 𝑎) = 𝑎% 𝑟
but
𝑎% = 𝑎# 𝑟
thus
𝒂𝟑 = 𝑎% 𝑟 = (𝑎# 𝑟)𝑟 = 𝒂𝟏 𝒓𝟐

4th term: 𝑎* = 𝑎# 𝑟 )
⋮ ⋮
nth term: 𝑎! = 𝑎# 𝑟 !$#

This gives a general form of the geometric sequence to be

𝑎# , 𝑎# 𝑟, 𝑎# 𝑟 % , 𝑎# 𝑟 ) , … , 𝑎# 𝑟 !$#

where 𝒂𝟏 is the first term and 𝒓 is the common ratio.

Example. The first terms of a geometric sequence are 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16. Find the 16th term.
Solution. Taking any two consecutive terms, we observe that the common ratio is 2, thus 𝑟 = 2. To find the 16th term, we let 𝑛 = 16 and use
the formula 𝑎! = 𝑎# 𝑟 !$# . Thus,
𝑎#2 = 1(2)#2$#
= (2)#(
= 32768.

Example. Find the missing term of the geometric sequence with the following given that
1 1
𝑎* = ; 𝑎( = ; 𝑎3 = ?
4 8
Solution. Again, since we are given with two consecutive terms, it is easier to first find the common ratio 𝒓. That is
1
𝑎( 8 𝟏
= = = 𝒓.
𝑎* 1 𝟐
4
Applying the formula for the nth term with 𝑛 = 9 since we are to find the 9th term, we have
𝑎3 = 𝑎# 𝑟 3$# = 𝑎# 𝑟 4 .
However, we still need to find the first term 𝑎# . But we know that the fourth term is given by the formula 𝑎* = 𝑎# 𝑟 ) . Since we already know
# #
that 𝑟 = % and 𝑎* = *, solving for 𝑎# we get
𝑎* = 𝑎# 𝑟 )
1 1 )
= 𝑎# L M
4 2
1 1
= 𝑎#
4 8
Cross-multiplying, we get that 𝑎# = 2.
#
Finally, substituting the values of 𝑎# = 2 and 𝑟 = in 𝑎3 = 𝑎# 𝑟 4 , we get
%
12 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD
𝑎3 = 𝑎# 𝑟 4
1
= 2( )4
2
1 1
𝑎3 = / = .
2 128

SERIES
A series is a description of the operation of adding infinitely many quantities, one after the other, to a given starting quantity.

Finite Series
Finite Series or nth partial sum of the sequence is denoted by
!

𝑎# + 𝑎% + 𝑎) + … + 𝑎! = N 𝑎5
56#

Sum of Natural Numbers

We can derive the nth partial sum of the set of natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, … , 𝑛 for any natural number 𝑛. Let
1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝑆! .
Also,
1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 1) = 𝑆!$# ,
and substituting 𝑆!$# to the nth partial sum 𝑆! we get
𝑆!$# + 𝑛 = 𝑆! or 𝑆! − 𝑆!$# = 𝑛.
We can continue this method and observe a pattern in the differences of the partial sums. That is for
1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 2) = 𝑆!$% ,
we get that
𝑆!$% + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝑆! or 𝑺𝒏 − 𝑺𝒏$𝟐 = (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝟐𝒏 − 𝟏.
Likewise, we get the following results is we subtract 𝑆!$) , 𝑆!$*, 𝑆!$( from 𝑆! , i.e.,
𝑆!$) + (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝑆! or 𝑺𝒏 − 𝑺𝒏$𝟑 = (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝟑𝒏 − (𝟏 + 𝟐)
𝑆!$* + (𝑛 − 3) + (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝑆! or 𝑺𝒏 − 𝑺𝒏$𝟒 = (𝑛 − 3) + (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝟒𝒏 − (𝟏 +
𝟐 + 𝟑)
𝑆!$( + (𝑛 − 4) + (𝑛 − 3) + (𝑛 − 2) + (𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝑆! or 𝑺𝒏 − 𝑺𝒏$𝟓 = (𝑛 − 4) + (𝑛 − 3) + (𝑛 − 2) +
(𝑛 − 1) + 𝑛 = 𝟓𝒏 − (𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒)
Observe that a pattern has been formed. Thus we can write the general term for the kth term, that is
𝑆! − 𝑆!$; = 𝑘𝑛 − (1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 𝑘 − 1)
or
𝑆! − 𝑆!$; = 𝑘𝑛 − 𝑆;$#
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 13
Now, we can make 𝑛 = 𝑘 in the last equation, and noting that 𝑆" = 0, so that
𝑆! − 𝑆!$! = (𝑛)𝑛 − 𝑆!$#
𝑆! − 𝑆" = 𝑛% − 𝑆!$#
𝑺𝒏 = 𝒏𝟐 − 𝑺𝒏$𝟏
Recalling that 𝑆! − 𝑆!$# = 𝑛 or 𝑆!$# = 𝑆! − 𝑛, and substituting this to the last equation above gives
𝑆! = 𝑛% − 𝑆!$#
𝑆! = 𝑛% − (𝑆! − 𝑛)
𝑆! = 𝑛% − 𝑆! + 𝑛
𝑆! + 𝑆! = 𝑛% + 𝑛
2𝑆! = 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
𝒏(𝒏 + 𝟏)
𝑺𝒏 =
𝟐
or
𝒏(𝒏 + 𝟏)
𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + ⋯ + (𝒏 − 𝟐) + (𝒏 − 𝟏) + 𝒏 =
𝟐
which is the nth partial sum of the first 𝑛 natural numbers.

Example. To find the sum of the first 100 numbers, that is 1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 99 + 100, we can use the formula
!(!&#)
𝑆! = %
with 𝑛 = 100. Thus,
100(100 + 1)
1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + 99 + 100 =
2
= 50(101)
= 5050

Sum of Odd Integers

We can derive the general formula for the nth partial sum of odd integers from the sum of arithmetic sequence
!
𝑆! = (𝑎# + 𝑎! ).
%
Observe that the nth term of a positive odd integer can be generated by the formula 2𝑛 − 1, for any natural number 𝑛. This means
that the first and last terms are
𝑎# = 2(1) − 1 = 1
and
𝑎! = 2(𝑛) − 1,
respectively.
!
Substituting 𝑎# = 1 and 𝑎! = 2𝑛 − 1 in 𝑆! = % (𝑎# + 𝑎! ), we arrive with
𝑛
𝑆! = (𝑎# + 𝑎! )
2
𝑛
= (1 + 2𝑛 − 1)
2
𝑛
𝑆! = (2𝑛)
2
Arranging the equation and denoting the sum of the nth partial of positive odd integers by 𝑶𝒏
𝑂! = 𝑛% .
14 | MATHEMATICS in the MODERN WORLD

Example. The sum of the first 101 positive odd integers is, using the formula 𝑆! = 𝑛% , we get
𝑂#"# = (101)% = 10201.

Sum of Even Integers

Similarly, to derive the nth partial sum for even positive integers which can be generated by the 𝑎! = 2𝑛 for any natural number 𝑛,
with the first even positive integer 𝑎# = 2, we have
𝑛
𝑆! = (𝑎# + 𝑎! )
2
𝑛
𝑆! = (2 + 2𝑛)
2
𝑛
𝑆! = [2(1 + 𝑛)].
2
Arranging the least equation at denoting the sum of the nth partial of positive even integers by 𝑬𝒏 , we have the formula
𝐸! = 𝑛(𝑛 + 1).

Example. Find the sum of the first 75 even positive integers.

Solution. Using the formula 𝐸! = 𝑛(𝑛 + 1) with 𝑛 = 75, we get the sum of the first 75 positive even integers to be
𝐸/( = 75(75 + 1) = 75(76) = 5700.

Sum of Arithmetic Sequence

To find the partial sum of a finite arithmetic sequence, we let
𝑎# + (𝑎# + 𝑑) + (𝑎# + 2𝑑) + (𝑎# + 3𝑑) + ⋯ + 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 𝐴!
Arranging the terms, we get
𝑎# + 𝑎# + 𝑎# + ⋯ + 𝑎# + 𝑑 + 2𝑑 + 3𝑑 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 = 𝐴!

n times
or
𝑛𝑎# + 𝑑[1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 1)] = 𝐴! .
But
(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛)
1 + 2 + 3 + ⋯ + (𝑛 − 1) = .
2
Thus, we have
(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛)
𝑛𝑎# + 𝑑 [ \ = 𝐴!
2
!
We can factor out from the last equation to get
%
𝑛
[2𝑎# + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)].
𝐴! =
2
Noting that 2𝑎# = 𝑎# +𝑎# and 𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑, we now have
𝑛
𝐴! = [𝑎# + 𝑎# + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)].
2
 MODULE ONE: Nature of Mathematics | 15
or
𝒏
𝑨𝒏 = (𝒂𝟏 + 𝒂𝒏 )
𝟐
where 𝑛 is the number of terms, 𝑎# is the first term, and 𝑎! is the last term or the nth term.

Example. Find the partial sum of the following arithmetic sequences:

a. 𝑆#(" of 8, 20, 32, 44, …
b. -6, -2, 2, 6…, for 𝑛 = 101
Solution:
a. 𝑆#(" = ?
n = 150
𝑑 = 𝑎% − 𝑎#
𝑑 = 20 − 8
𝒅 = 𝟏𝟐
!
But 𝑆! = % (𝑎# + 𝑎! ), so in order for us to look for 𝑆#(" we need to look for the 150th term as our 𝑎! here.
𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 nth term formula
𝑎#(" = 8 + (150 − 1)12
𝑎#(" = 1796

Then,
𝑛
𝑆! = (𝑎# + 𝑎! )
2
#("
𝑆#(" = % (8 + 1796)
𝑆#(" = 135, 300

b. Partial sum of 101 terms or 𝑆#"#

𝑛 = 101
𝑎# = −6
𝑑 = 𝑎% − 𝑎#
𝑑 = −2 − (−6)
𝑑 = 4

𝑎! = 𝑎# + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑎#"# = −6 + (101 − 1)(4)
𝑎#"# = 394
𝑛
𝑆! = (𝑎# + 𝑎! )
2
#"#
𝑆#"# = (−6 + 394)
%
𝑆#(" = 19,594