Sequences

Introduction
A sequence is an enumerated collection of things (usually numbers) in which order matters
and may have repeated values. It is an ordered set of numbers formed according to some pattern
or rule. Each number in the sequence is called a term (also called element or member). The terms
of a sequence could be generated by applying the rule to previous terms of the sequence.

A general sequence looks something like this: 𝑎1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑎3 , … , 𝑎𝑛 , where n is an integer, and

𝑎𝑛 is the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of the sequence. The sequence itself is usually denoted using the notation: 𝑎𝑛 ,
𝑛 ≥ 1 or {𝑎𝑛 }∞
𝑛=1 . Here is an example sequence: 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, …, where n is an integer.

The formula 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑛 is called an explicit formula for the sequence. By plugging any integer n
into the explicit formula for the sequence, 𝑛𝑡ℎ term can be found.

Examples 1:

Write the first four terms of a sequence described by the general term 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 2.

𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 2
𝑎1 = 3(1) + 2 = 5
𝑎2 = 3(2) + 2 = 8
𝑎3 = 3(3) + 2 = 11
𝑎4 = 3(4) + 2 = 14
Therefore, the first four terms are 5, 8, 11, 14.
Example 2:

Write the first four terms of 𝑎𝑛 = 2(3𝑛−1 ).

𝑎𝑛 = 2(3𝑛−1 )
𝑎1 = 2(31−1 ) = 2(30 ) = 2
𝑎2 = 2(32−1 ) = 2(31 ) = 6
𝑎3 = 2(33−1 ) = 2(32 ) = 18
𝑎4 = 2(34−1 ) = 2(33 ) = 54
Hence, the first four terms are 2, 6, 18, 54.

Finite and Infinite Sequences

Sequence can be finite or infinite, when the sequence has a limited number of terms it is
called an infinite sequence, otherwise it is a finite sequence.

Examples:

{10, 20, 30, 40, ...} is an infinite sequence.

{0, 2, 4, 6, 8} is the sequence of the first five even numbers and is a finite sequence.

{1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, …} is an infinite sequence where every term doubles

Special Sequences- Arithmetic Sequences

Sequences are ordered lists of numbers (called "terms"), like 2,5,8. Some sequences follow
a specific pattern that can be used to extend them indefinitely. For example, 2,5,8 follows the
pattern "add 3," and now we can continue the sequence. Sequences can have formulas that tell us
how to find any term in the sequence. For example, 2,5,8, ... can be represented by the formula
2 + 3(𝑛 − 1).
 An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers such that the difference of any two
successive members of the sequence is a constant. Their main features are the initial term and the
common difference. Its general term is described by

Where:
𝑎𝑛 = the term that you want to find
𝑎1 = first term in the sequence
𝑑 = common difference

Remember that in an arithmetic sequence, the difference between consecutive terms is

always the same. It can be found by taking any term in the sequence and subtracting its preceding
term.

The following video gives various examples of such sequences, defined explicitly and
recursively.

For more see this video: https://youtu.be/_cooC3yG_p0

Examples:
1. The sequence {3, 5, 7, 9, ⋯} is arithmetic because the difference between consecutive
terms is always two.

3, 5, 7, 9, ⋯

+2 +2 +2

2. The sequence {1.6, 2.2, 2.8, 3.4, ⋯} is arithmetic as well because the difference between
consecutive terms is always minus 0.6.

3.4, 2.8, 2.2, 1.6, ⋯

-0.6 -0.6 -0.6

3. The sequence 3, 5, 9, 15, 23, ... is not arithmetic because the difference between
consecutive terms is not the same.

3, 5, 9, 15, 23, ⋯

+2 +4 +6 +8

The Common Difference

The common difference of an arithmetic sequence is the constant difference between
consecutive terms. Therefore, you can say that the formula to find the common difference of an
arithmetic sequence is: 𝑑 = 𝑎𝑛 − 𝑎𝑛−1, where 𝑎𝑛 is the last term in the sequence, and 𝑎𝑛−1 is the
previous term in the sequence.
Examples:

1. What is the common difference in the following sequence? {3, 11, 19, 27, 35, ⋯}
To find it, simply subtract the first term from the second term, or the second from
the third, or so on …
11 − 3 = 8
19 − 11 = 8
27 − 19 = 8
See how each time we are adding 8 to get to the next term? This means our common
difference is 8.

2. What is the common difference in the sequence {10, 21, 32, 43, ⋯}?

+11 +11 +11

10, 21, 32, 43, ⋯
Therefore, the common difference of {10, 21, 32, 43, ⋯} is 11.

3. What is the common difference in the sequence {–2, –5, –8, –11 ...}?

-3 -3 -3
-2, -5, -8, -11, ⋯
Therefore, the common difference of –2, –5, –8, –11 ... is negative three.

3 1 1
4. What is the common difference in the following sequence? {− 4, − 4, 4, ...}

The common difference in this set is the linear amount spaced between each number
in the set. Subtract the first number from the second number.
1 3 1 3 2 1
− − (− ) = − + = =
4 4 4 4 4 2
 Check this number by subtracting the second number from the third number.
1 1 1 1 2 1
− (− ) = + = =
4 4 4 4 8 2
1
Thus, the common difference is 2.

5. What is the next term of the arithmetic sequence? {10, 13, 16, ⋯}

In any arithmetic sequence, each term is equal to the previous term plus the common
difference. Thus, the second term is equal to the first term plus the common difference. In this
sequence, the second term, 13, is 3 more than the first term, 10. Therefore, the common
difference is 3. The fourth term in the sequence is equal to the third term plus the common
difference, or 16 + 3 = 19.

Watch: https://youtu.be/EU0c6qrrevA

Using Arithmetic Formulas

There are other ways on how we can describe sequences. In this lesson, we will be learning
two new ways to represent arithmetic sequences: recursive formulas and explicit formulas.
Formulas give us instructions on how to find any term of a sequence.
To remain general, formulas use n to represent any term number and a(n) to represent the
nth term of the sequence. For example, the first few terms of the arithmetic sequence 3, 5, 7, …
𝑛 𝑎(𝑛)
th
Term number n term
1 3
2 5
3 7
Note: Formulas tell us how to find a(n) for any possible n.
 So, if we need to find the fourth term in the sequence {3, 5, 7, ⋯} we just need to observe
its sequence and find the common difference. Notice that the sequence just adds two (2) for each
term. The third term is 7 thus adding two gives the fourth term which is 9.
Therefore, 𝑎(4) = 9

For more, watch: https://youtu.be/8eSUbi_aYL4

RECURSIVE FORMULAS FOR ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

A recursive formula designates the starting term, 𝑎1 , and the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of the sequence, 𝑎𝑛 ,
as an expression containing the previous term (the term before it), 𝑎𝑛−1 . In formulating a recursive
formula, you have to state the first term, and then stating the formula to be the previous term plus
the common difference.
Here is a recursive formula of the sequence {3, 5, 7, ⋯} along with the interpretation for
each part.
{𝑎(1) = 3 𝑎(𝑛) = 𝑎(𝑛 − 1) + 2 ← First term, 3

← Adding 2 to the previous term.

In order to find the fifth term, extend the sequence term by term:

𝑎(𝑛) = 𝑎(𝑛 − 1) + 2

𝑎(1) =3

𝑎(2) = 𝑎(1) + 2 =3+2 =5

𝑎(3) = 𝑎(2) + 2 =5+2 =7

𝑎(4) = 𝑎(3) + 2 =7+2 =9

𝑎(5) = 𝑎(4) + 2 =9+2 = 11

In the formula, n is any term number and a(n) is the nth term. This means a(1) is the first
term, and a(n-1) is the term before the nth term.
 Just as we used a(n) to represent the nth term of the sequence {3, 5, 7, ⋯}, we can use other
letters to represent other sequences. For example, we can use b(n), c(n) or d(n).

Example 1:
Find b(4) in the sequence given by
{𝑏(1) = −5 𝑏(𝑛) = 𝑏(𝑛 − 1) + 9
Solution:
What this formula means can be verbalized as follows:
The first term is -5 and any other term is the term before it plus 9. In order to
find b(4), we need to extend the sequence term by term,

𝑏(𝑛) = 𝑏(𝑛 − 1) + 9
𝑏(1) = −5
𝑏(2) = 𝑏(1) + 9 = −5 + 9 =4
𝑏(3) = 𝑏(2) + 9 = 4+9 = 13
𝑏(4) = 𝑏(3) + 9 = 13 + 9 = 22
Therefore, b(4) = 22.

Example 2:
Suppose we wanted to write the recursive formula of the arithmetic sequence {5, 8, 11, ⋯}
Solution:
The two parts of the formula should give the following information:
1. The first term (which is 5)
2. The rule to get any term from its previous term (which is to add 3)
Therefore, the recursive formula should look as follows:
{𝑐(1) = 5 𝑐(𝑛) = 𝑐(𝑛 − 1) + 3
Example 3:
What is the recursive formula of the sequence 19, 11, 3, ...?
Solution:
The two parts of the formula should give the following information:
1. The first term which is 19
2. The rule to get any term from its previous term (which is to subtract
8)
{𝑑(1) = 19 𝑑(𝑛) = 𝑑(𝑛 − 1) − 8

For better understanding, watch the video: https://youtu.be/lBtb30SjU2Q)

Reference: Khan Academy

Explicit Formulas of Arithmetic Sequence

In explicit formulas, we can find the value of a specific term based on its position. It
designates the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of the sequence, as an expression of 𝑛 (where 𝑛 = the term’s location). In
creating an explicit formula using the pattern of the first term added to the product of the common
difference and one less than the term number.
Here is an explicit formula of {3, 5, 7, ⋯}
𝑎(𝑛) = 3 + 2(𝑛 − 1)
This formula allows us to simply plug in the number of the term we are interested in to get
the value of that term. To find the fifth term, for example, we need to plug n = 5 into the explicit
formula.
𝑎(5) = 3 + 2(5 − 1) = 11
We get the same result as before!

For better understanding watch: https://youtu.be/ViLt2WI0XSg

Examples:
1. Find b(10) in the sequence given by
𝑏(𝑛) = −5 + 9(𝑛 − 1)
Solution:
𝑏(10) = −5 + 9(10 − 1) = 76

2. Find c(35) in the sequence given by

𝑐(𝑛) = −4 + 20 (𝑛 − 8)
Solution:
𝑐(13) = −4 + 20(35 − 8) = 536

3. Find d(21) in the sequence given by

𝑑(𝑛) = 25 + 0.4(𝑛 − 15)
Solution:
𝑑(21) = 25 + 0.4(21 − 15) = 27.4

Some worked example: https://youtu.be/v1ucHH06AxM

Reference: Khan Academy

Writing Explicit Formulas
Consider the arithmetic sequence {5, 8, 11, ⋯} The first term of the sequence is 5 and the
common difference is 3.
We can get any term in the sequence by taking the first term 5 and adding the common
difference 3 to it repeatedly. Check out, for example, the following calculations of the first few
terms.
n Calculation for the nth term
1 5 =5 +0⋅3=5
2 5+3 =5 +1⋅3=8
3 5+3+3 = 5 + 2 ⋅ 3 = 11
4 5+3+3+3 = 5 + 3 ⋅ 3 = 14
5 5+3+3+3+3 = 5 + 4 ⋅ 3 = 17

The table shows that we can get the nth term (where n is any term number) by taking the
first term 5 and adding the common difference 3 repeatedly for (n-1) times. This can be written
algebraically as 5 + 3(n – 1).
In general, this is the standard explicit formula of an arithmetic sequence whose first term is A and
the common difference is B:
𝐴 + 𝐵(𝑛 − 1)

Example:

1. Write an explicit formula for the sequence {2, 9, 16, ⋯}

The general form is 𝐴 + 𝐵 (𝑛 − 1) where A is the first term and that B is the
common difference.
o The first term is 2.
o The common difference is 7.
𝑑(𝑛) = 2 + 7(𝑛 − 1)
 2. Write an explicit formula for the 𝑛𝑡ℎ term of each sequence.
2 3 4 5 6
a. {− 11 , 13 , 15 , 17 , − 19 , … }

The terms alternate between positive and negative. We can use (−1)𝑛 to make
the terms alternate. The numerator can be represented by 𝑛 + 1. The denominator
can be represented by 2𝑛 + 9.
(−1)𝑛 (𝑛 + 1)
𝑎𝑛 =
2𝑛 + 9
b. {𝑒 4 , 𝑒 5 , 𝑒 6 , 𝑒 7 , 𝑒 8 … }
The terms are powers of e. For 𝑛 = 1, the first term is 𝑒 4 so the exponent must
be 𝑛 + 3.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑛+3

Some arithmetic sequence problems: https://youtu.be/C5titprQAc4

Source: Khan Academy

Converting Recursive and Explicit Form of Arithmetic Sequence

Before taking this lesson, make sure you know how to find recursive formulas and explicit
formulas of arithmetic sequences. The conversion is quite straightforward. The table below showd
the conversion from recursive to explicit.

Recursive Formula Explicit Formula

{𝑎(1) 𝑎(𝑛) = 𝑎(𝑛 − 1) + 𝑑 𝑎(𝑛) = 𝑎(1) + 𝑑 ⋅ (𝑛 − 1)

The following video explains the conversion of recursive and explicit forms of arithmetic
sequence. Link: https://youtu.be/GA_yxxeFYBU
Example:
Recursive to Explicit formula
An arithmetic sequence has the following recursive formula.
{𝑎(1) = 3 𝑎(𝑛) = 𝑎(𝑛 − 1) + 2
Recall that this formula gives us the following two pieces of information:
o The first term is 3.
o To get any term from its previous term, add 2. In other words, the common
difference is 2.
The first term is 3 while the common difference is 2. Therefore, an explicit formula
of the sequence is
𝑎(𝑛) = 3 + 2(𝑛 − 1).
Explicit to Recursive formula
We are given the following explicit formula of an arithmetic sequence.
𝑑(𝑛) = 5 + 16(𝑛 − 1)
This formula is given in the standard explicit form A+B(n-1) where A is the first
term and B is the common difference. Therefore,
o The first term of the sequence is 5, and
o The common difference is 16.
Recall that the recursive formula gives us two pieces of information:
1. The first term (which we know is 5)
The pattern rule to get any term from the term that comes before it (which we know
is “add 16”).

Therefore, this is a recursive formula for the sequence.

{𝑑(1) = 5 𝑑(𝑛) = 𝑑(𝑛 − 1) + 16
Formula is in simplified form
We are given the following explicit formula of an arithmetic sequence.
𝑒(𝑛) = 10 + 2𝑛
Note that this formula is not given in the standard explicit form A + B(n-1).
 For this reason, we cannot simply use the structure of the formula to find the first
term and the common difference. Instead, we can find the first two terms:
𝑒(1) = 10 + 2 ⋅ 1 = 12
𝑒(2) = 10 + 2 ⋅ 2 = 14
Now we can see that the first term is 12 and the common difference is 2.

Therefore, this is a recursive formula for the sequence.

{𝑒(1) = 12 𝑒(𝑛) = 𝑒(𝑛 − 1) + 2

Source: Khan Academy

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
A geometric sequence is a sequence in which each term is found by multiplying the
preceding term by the same value. Its general term is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 (𝑟 𝑛−1 ), where the value of r is called
common ratio. It is found by takin any term in the sequence and dividing it by its preceding term

Example 1:
Find the common ratio in each of the following geometric sequences. Then express each
sequence in the form is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 (𝑟 𝑛−1 ), and find the eighth term of the sequence.
a. 1, 3, 9, 27, …
Solution:
𝑎2 3
Since 𝑟 = = =3
𝑎1 1

Then 𝑎𝑛 = 1(3𝑛−1 )
Therefore, the eight term of the sequence is
𝑎8 = 1(38−1 )
= 1(37 )
𝑎8 = 2187
 b. 16, 24, 36, 54, …
Solution:
𝑎2 24 3
Since 𝑟 = = =
𝑎1 16 2

3 𝑛−1
Then 𝑎𝑛 = 16 (2)

Therefore, the eight term of the sequence is

3 8−1
𝑎8 = 16 ( )
2
3 7
𝑎8 = 16 ( )
2
2187
𝑎8 =
8

Source: Algebra II - CliffsNotes Study Guides

More about Geometric Sequence: https://youtu.be/yZ-GufE_uyA

Recursive and Explicit Formulas for Geometric Sequences

A recursive formula allows us to find any term of a geometric sequence by using the
previous term. Each term is the product of the common ratio and the previous term. For example,
suppose the common ratio is 9. Then each term is nine times the previous term. As with any
recursive formula, the initial term must be given.

The recursive formula for a geometric sequence with common ratio r and first term a1 is

{𝑎1 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑟 ∙ 𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑛 ≥ 2
 Because a geometric sequence is an exponential function whose domain is the set of
positive integers, and the common ratio is the base of the function, we can write explicit formulas
that allow us to find particular terms.

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑟 𝑛−1

Source: LumenLearning Website

For more details, refer to the link: https://youtu.be/8a1a5A3CfdQ

Example 1:

Complete the recursive formula of the geometric sequence {-1.5, 6, -24, 96, ⋯}

Solution:

𝑑1 = −1.5

For the common ratio

× (−4) × (−4) × (−4)

−1.5, 6, −24, 96, ⋯

𝑑2 𝑑3 𝑑4
𝑟= = = = −4
𝑑1 𝑑2 𝑑3
Therefore:

{𝑑(1) = −1.5 𝑑(𝑛) = −4 ⋅ 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)

Example 2:

Find an explicit formula for the geometric sequence {2, 6, 18, 54, ⋯}

Solution:

In a geometric sequence, the ratio between successive terms is constant. This means
that we can move from any term to the next one by multiplying by a constant value. Let us
calculate this ratio over the first few terms:

6 18 54
𝑟= = = =3
2 6 18

We can find any term by starting with the first term and multiplying by 3 repeatedly
until we get to the desired term. Look at this below:

𝑛 1 2 3 4
𝑓(𝑛) 2 ⋅ 30 2 ⋅ 31 2 ⋅ 32 2 ⋅ 33

Therefore:

𝑏𝑛 = 2 ⋅ 3𝑛−1

Source: Khan Academy

Using Explicit and Recursive Formulas of Geometric Sequence

Example 1:

Given a geometric sequence with 𝑎1 = 3 and 𝑎4 = 24, find 𝑎2 .

Solution:

The sequence can be written in terms of the initial term and the common ratio r.

3,3𝑟, 3𝑟 2 , 3𝑟 3 , …
Find the common ratio using the given fourth term.

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1

𝑎4 = 3𝑟 3 Write the fourth term of sequence in the terms of

𝑎1 and r

24 = 3𝑟 3 Substitute 24 for 𝑎4

8 = 𝑟3 Divide

𝑟=2 Solve for the common ratio

Find the second term by multiplying the first term by the common ratio.

𝑎2 = 2𝑎1
= 2(3)

𝑎2 = 6
Example 2:

Find the 5th term in the geometric sequence whose explicit formula is

1 (𝑖−1)
𝑥𝑖 = 3 (− ) .
4
 What is the a5, the fifth term of the sequence?

1 (5−1) 3
𝑥5 = 3 (− ) =
4 256
Example 2:

Find the 4th term in the sequence whose recursive formula is

1
{𝑎(1) = − 𝑎(𝑖) = 2𝑎(𝑖 − 1)
8

Solution:

𝑎(𝑖) = 2𝑎(𝑖 − 1)
1
𝑎(1) =−
8
1 1
𝑎(2) = 2𝑎(1) = 2 (− ) =−
8 4
1 1
𝑎(3) = 2𝑎(2) = 2 (− ) =−
4 2
1
𝑎(4) = 2𝑎(3) = 2 (− ) = −1
2

Source: Khan Academy (Geometric Sequence, Recursive Formula, and Explicit Formula)

Converting Recursive and Explicit Form of Geometric Sequences

The conversion between recursive and explicit formula is pretty much straightforward.

Recursive Formula Explicit Formula

{𝑎1 𝑎𝑛
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ⋅ 𝑟 𝑛−1
= 𝑟 ∙ 𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝑛 ≥ 2
Example 1:

The explicit formula of a geometric sequence is 𝑔(𝑥) = 9 ∙ (8)𝑥−1 . Find the recursive
formula of the sequence.

Solution:

Given 𝑔(𝑥) = 22 ∙ (5)𝑥−1, and if x is a positive integer, then

𝑔(1) = 22
𝑟=5
Therefore,

{𝑔(1) = 22 𝑔(𝑥) = 5 ⋅ 𝑔(𝑥 − 1)

Example 2:

Complete the recursive formula for

14 𝑛−1
𝑓(𝑛) = 45 ⋅ ( )
4

Solution:

14 1−1
𝑓(1) = 45 ⋅ ( ) = 45
4
14
𝑟=
4
Therefore,

14
{𝑓(1) = 45 𝑓(𝑛) = ⋅ 𝑓(𝑛 − 1)
4
Example 3:

Find an explicit formula for

{𝑓(1) = 37 𝑓(𝑛) = 0.6 ⋅ 𝑓(𝑛 − 1)

Solution:

𝑓(1) = 37
𝑟 = 0.6
Therefore,

𝑓(𝑛) = 37 ⋅ 0.6𝑛−1
Example 4:

{𝑓(1) = −1.8 𝑓(𝑛) = 9 ⋅ 𝑓(𝑛 − 1)

Find an explicit formula for 𝑓(𝑛).

Solution:

𝑓(1) = −1.8
𝑟=9
Therefore,

𝑓(𝑛) = −1.8 ∙ 9𝑛−1

Source: Khan Academy

📺🎥
For more practical examples:

The video presented in the link contains word problems about modeling real-world situations with
arithmetic and geometric sequences. Link: https://youtu.be/yYGf7xn7TyM

The video presented in the next link shows how to evaluate a sequence that is defined with a recursive
formula. This definition gives the base case and then defines how to find the subsequent terms using the
base case. Video: https://youtu.be/Kjli0Gunkds