Arithmetic

Sequences & Series

Mathematics 10
 Objectives
• define arithmetic sequences and series
• determine the missing term/value in an
arithmetic sequence
• determine the sum of the terms in an arithmetic
series
• solve worded problems involving arithmetic
sequences and series
01 Introduction
The 52-week Money Saving Challenge

How much can you

save in
52 weeks?
The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
• The 52-week money saving challenge is a great way to
save. The idea is simple: start by saving a certain
amount of money on the first week and then gradually
increase your savings by a constant increment per week.

• For example, you decide to start with ₱20 and an

increment of ₱5 per week. Therefore, for the succeeding
days, you must save ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, ₱40 and so on.
The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
• So for the first five weeks, you save ₱20, ₱25, ₱30, ₱35,
and ₱40, respectively.

• If you follow this savings plan, how much must you

save on the 52nd week?

• At the end of the 52-week challenge, how much money

will you have?
The set of numbers 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, … is an
example of an arithmetic sequence.

What is a sequence?
Sequence is a list of things, usually numbers,
arranged in a specific order
3, 5, 7, 9, …
Ellipsis means
the sequence
1st 2nd 3rd 4th continues.
term term term term
Example: LOGIC Pattern
What’s next?

Note the
movements of
the dot and
the alternating
color of the
square in the
middle.
Example: GEOMETRIC Pattern
What’s next?

Note the
increase in
the number
of sides of
the figures.
 Example: NUMBER Pattern
What’s next?
The previous number is
0
20, 18, 15, 11, 6, ___ decreased by 2, then 3,
then 4, and so on.

1, 1, 2, 3, 5, ___ 13
8 , ___ The next number is the
sum of the previous two.

This is the
Fibonacci Sequence.
 FINITE vs INFINITE Sequence
Finite Infinite
1, 5, 9, 13, 17 1, 5, 9, 13, 17,…
2, 6, 2, 6, 2, 6 2, 6, 2, 6, 2, 6,…
3, -5, 7, -9, 11 3, -5, 7, -9, 11,…
Finite sequences have a Infinite sequences have an
fixed number of terms. infinite number of terms.

The last term of the There is no last term in the

sequence can be identified. sequence.
 Notations
In the sequence, a1, a2, a3, a4, …, an-2, an-1, an

a1: first term an-2: (n-2)th term

a2: second term an-1: (n-1)th term
a3: third term an: nth term (last term)
a4: fourth term *the subscript determines the term number

Note that the nth or general term of a sequence is denoted

by an where n is the position of the term in the sequence.
Arithmetic
Sequences 02
 Arithmetic Sequence
- a sequence in which there is a common difference (d)
between consecutive terms*
The difference between
d = an – an-1 consecutive terms is
constant.

The set of numbers 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, …

is an example of an arithmetic In this sequence, the
sequence. common difference is 5.
 Example A
Determine whether the given sequence is arithmetic
or not. If arithmetic, find the common difference.
You get the next term by
1. –2, 6, 14, 22, 30, … arithmetic d=8 adding 8 to the previous term.

2. 35, 32, 29, 26, … arithmetic d = –3 To get the next term, add -3 to
the previous term.

3. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, … not arithmetic The difference between each pair of

consecutive terms is NOT consistent.
 Example A
Determine whether the given sequence is arithmetic
or not. If arithmetic, find the common difference.
Add -2 to the previous
4. –7, –9, –11, –13, … arithmetic d = –2 term to get the next term.

5. –3, 6, –9, 12, … not arithmetic Difference between each pair of

consecutive terms is NOT consistent.

You get the next term by

6.
𝟑 𝟓
𝟏, 𝟐 , 𝟐, 𝟐 , 𝟑, … arithmetic d = 1/2 adding 1/2 to the
previous term.
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
For the first five weeks,
you save ₱20, ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, and ₱40, respectively.
How much should you save on the 6th week? ₱45
Just add ₱5
to the
How much should you save on the 7th week? ₱50 previous
week’s
amount.
How much should you save on the 8th week? ₱55
How much should you save on the 20th week?
Is there a formula that can be
used to answer this?
The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
TERM NO. AMOUNT FORMULA
1 20 20 + 5(0)
2 25 20 + 5(1) Note that the number
multiplied to the
3 30 20 + 5(2) common difference (5)
is the term number
4 35 20 + 5(3) minus 1.
5 40 20 + 5(4)
20 115 20 + 5(19)
n 20 + 5 (n – 1)

Common Term number

First term difference minus 1
 To find the nth Term in
an Arithmetic Sequence
Explicit Formula for Arithmetic Sequences
an = a1 + d(n – 1)
where n is the term number
an is the nth term
a1 is the first term
d is the common difference
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
For the first five weeks,
you save ₱20, ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, and ₱40, respectively.
How much should you save on the 52nd week?
an = a1 + d(n – 1) n = 52,
We are looking for a52.
a52 = 20 + 5(52 – 1)
a52 = 20 + 5(51)
a52 = 275
On the 52nd week, you should save ₱ 275.
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
For the first five weeks,
you save ₱20, ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, and ₱40, respectively.
What is the explicit formula for this sequence?
Use the formula for the general an = a1 + d(n – 1)
term in an arithmetic sequence.
Substitute the value of the first an = 20 + 5(n – 1)
term and the common difference.
Simplify. an = 20 + 5n – 5
an = 5n + 15
 Example B
For each arithmetic sequence below, write the
explicit formula.
1. –2, 6, 14, 22, 30, … d=8
Substitute the values of the an = a1 + d(n – 1)
first term a1, and the
common difference d. an = –2 + 8(n – 1)
Simplify. an = –2 + 8n – 8
an = 8n – 10
 Example B
For each arithmetic sequence below, write the
explicit formula.
2. 35, 32, 29, 26, … d = -3
an = a1 + d(n – 1)
Substitute 35 for a1, and an = 35 – 3(n – 1)
-3 for d.
Simplify. an = 35 – 3n + 3
an = –3n + 38
 Example B
For each arithmetic sequence below, write the
explicit formula.
3. –7, –9, –11, –13, … d = -2
an = a1 + d(n – 1)
Substitute -7 for a1, and an = –7 – 2(n – 1)
-2 for d.
Simplify. an = –7 – 2n + 2
an = –2n – 5
 Example B
For each arithmetic sequence below, write the
explicit formula.
𝟑 𝟓
4. 𝟏, , 𝟐, , 𝟑, … d = 1/2
𝟐 𝟐
an = a1 + d(n – 1)
1
Substitute 1 for a1, and an = 1 + 2 (n – 1)
1/2 for d.
1 1
Simplify. an = 1 + n –2
2
𝟏 𝟏
an = 𝟐
𝐧 + 𝟐
 Example C
List down the first FOUR terms of the sequence given
that its explicit formula is an = 6n – 13.
To find the first term, let n = 1: To find the third term, let n = 3:
a1 = 6(1) – 13 a1 = – 7 a3 = 6(3) – 13 a3 = 5

To find the second term, let n = 2: To find the fourth term, let n = 4:

a2 = 6(2) – 13 a2 = – 1 a4 = 6(4) – 13 a4 = 11

The first 4 terms are –7, –1, 5, and 11.

 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
The difference between each pair
1. Is the sequence arithmetic? yes of consecutive terms is the same.

2. What is the common difference? d = 8 To get d, find the difference between any
two consecutive terms, an – an-1.

3. What is the value of a1? –9 a1 is the first term.

4. Which term has a value of 15? a4 or 4th term

Since the common difference

5. What is the 5th term in this sequence? a5 = 23 is 8, just add 8 to a4. That is,
a5 = 15 + 8.
 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
6. What is the explicit formula for this sequence?
Use the general formula for arithmetic an = a1 + d(n – 1)
sequences.
Substitute a1 = -9 and d = 8. an = –9 + 8(n – 1)
Simplify. an = –9 + 8n – 8
an = –17 + 8n
an = 8n – 17
 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
7. What is a12?
Use the explicit formula for this an = 8n – 17
sequence.
Substitute n = 12 a12 = 8(12) – 17
Simplify. a12 = 79
 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
8. Which term has a value of 143?
From the previous item, we know the explicit formula an = 8n – 17
for this sequence.
From the given, we know that 143 is one of the terms of an = 143
this sequence but we do not know its term number, n.
Substitute this value to the explicit formula, then solve 143 = 8n – 17
for n.
160 = 8n
Thus, 143 is the 20th term in this sequence. 20 = n
 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
9. Is 90 a term in this sequence?
90 is a term in this sequence if we can find its term number n.
Use the explicit formula for this sequence. an = 8n – 17
Substitute 90 for an. 90 = 8n – 17
Solve for n. 107 = 8n
Since the value for n is not a whole number (there is 𝟏𝟎𝟕
107
no 8 th term), 90 is NOT a term in this sequence.
= n
𝟖
 Example D
Given the sequence -9, -1, 7, 15, …
10. Is 383 a term in this sequence?
Let us check if we can find the term number of 383.
Use the explicit formula for this sequence. an = 8n – 17
Substitute 383 for an. 383 = 8n – 17
Solve for n. 400 = 8n
n is a whole number. 383 is the 50th 50 = n
term in this sequence.
 Example E
Determine the first term in an arithmetic sequence wherein
the 19th term is 48 and the common difference is 4.
Use the explicit formula for an arithmetic an = a1 + d(n – 1)
sequence.
Since the 19th term is given, let us use the a19 = a1 + d(19 – 1)
formula for a19. Note that n = 19.
Substitute the given values: a19 = 48 and d = 4. 48 = a1 + 4(19 – 1)
Simplify, then solve for a1. 48 = a1 + 4(18)
48 = a1 + 72
The first term is – 24. – 24 = a1
 Example F
Determine the missing terms in the arithmetic sequence
8, ___, ___, ___, 20, …
Find the common difference first.
a5 = a1 + d(5 – 1)
Use the formula for finding a5.
Substitute the given values: a1 = 8 and a5 = 20. 20 = 8 + d(5 – 1)
Simplify, then solve for d. 20 = 8 + 4d
12 = 4d
The common difference is 3. 3=d
 Example F
Determine the missing terms in the arithmetic sequence
8, ___, ___, ___, 20, …
The common difference is 3.
The missing terms are a2, a3, and a4.
a2 = a1 + d a 3 = a2 + d a4 = a3 + d
a2 = 8 + 3 a3 = 11 + 3 a4 = 14 + 3
a2 = 11 a3 = 14 a4 = 17

The missing terms are 11, 14, and 17.

 Example G (Problem Solving)
Everyday a radio station asks a question for a prize of ₱1500. If none
of the callers answer the question correctly, the prize money increases
by ₱1500 each day until a caller answers their question correctly.
Suppose no one answers their question correctly for 7 days, how
much would be the prize money on the 8th day?
From problem, we know that a1 = 1500 and d = 1500. We want to find a8.
a8 = a1 + d(8 – 1)
a8 = 1500 + 1500(8 – 1)
a8 = 1500 + 10500 The prize money on the 8th
a8 = 12000 day will be ₱12,000.
 Example H (Problem Solving)
After knee surgery, your trainer tells you to return to your
jogging program slowly. He suggests jogging for 12 minutes
each day for the first week. Each week thereafter, he suggests
that you increase that time by 6 minutes per day. How many
weeks will it be before you are up to jogging 60 minutes per
day?
From the problem, we know that a1 = 12, d = 6, and an = 60.
We want to solve for n.
an = 12 + 6(n – 1) 60 = 12 + 6n – 6 54 = 6n Thus, it will
60 = 12 + 6(n – 1) 60 = 6 + 6n 9=n take 9 weeks.
03 Arithmetic
Series
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge

You decided to start with ₱20 and an increment of ₱5

per week. Therefore, for the succeeding weeks, you
must save ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, ₱40 and so on.

At the end of the 52-week challenge, how much

money will you have?
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
We already know that a52 = 275,
What we want is the sum of all the money saved after
52 weeks, that is 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + … + 275 = ???

How do we get the total amount saved

after 52 weeks?

Can we do this without actually listing down all 52

terms of this sequence and then adding them all?
 Arithmetic Series
- sum of the terms in an arithmetic sequence
denoted by Sn

Sn = a1 + a2 + a3 + … + a n

20 + 25 + 30, + 35 + … + 275 is an
example of an arithmetic series.
 Take Note
Arithmetic Corresponding
Sequence Arithmetic Series
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1+2+3+4+5

-2, -4, -6, -8 -2 + -4 + -6 + -8

9, 3, -3, -9 9 + 3 + -3 + -9
Sum of the Terms in an Arithmetic Series

𝐧
Sn = (a1 + an)
𝟐

where Sn is the sum of the first n terms

n is the term number
a1 is the first term
an is the nth term
 Example I
Determine the sum of the first ten terms of the sequence
-8, -3, 2, 7, …
Solve for a10 first using the formula.
a10 = a1 + d(n – 1) Common difference
a10 = –8 + 5(10 – 1) in this sequence is 5.

a10 = –8 + 5(9)
a10 = 37
 Example I
Determine the sum of the first ten terms of the sequence
-8, -3, 2, 7, …
n
Use the formula for S10. S10 = a1 + a10
2
Plug-in the known values: 10
S10 = −8 + a10
n = 10 and a1 = - 8. 2
10
Substitute 37 for a10 . S10 = −8 + 37
2
Simplify. S10 = 5 29
𝐒𝟏𝟎 = 𝟏𝟒𝟓
 Example J
Determine the sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence
with a1 = 26 and d = –6.
Find the 50th term first. a50 = a1 + d(n – 1)

a50 = 26 + (-6)(50 – 1)

a50 = 26 + (-6)(49)

a50 = 26 – 294
a50 = – 268
 Example J
Determine the sum of the first 50 terms of the sequence
with a1 = 26 and d = –6.
n
Use the formula for S50: S50 = a1 + a50
2
Plug-in the known values: 50
S50 = 26 + a50
n = 50 and a1 = 26. 2
50
Substitute -268 for a50 . S50 = 26 − 268
2
Simplify. S50 = 25 −242

𝐒𝟓𝟎 = −𝟔𝟎𝟓𝟎
 Example K
Consider the series 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 + …
a. Determine the sum of the first 25 terms.
Find the 25th term first. a25 = a1 + d(n – 1)
a25 = 7 + (-2)(25 – 1)
a25 = 7 + (-2)(24)
a25 = 7 – 48
a25 = – 41
 Example K
Consider the series 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 + …
a. Determine the sum of the first 25 terms.
n
Use the formula for S25: S25 = a1 + a25
2
Plug-in the known values: 25
S25 = 7 + a25
n = 25 and a1 = 7. 2
25
Substitute -41 for a25 . S25 = 7 − 41
2
25
Simplify. S25 = −34 𝐒𝟐𝟓 = −𝟒𝟐𝟓
2
 Example K
Consider the series 7 + 5 + 3 + 1 + …
b. Find n such that Sn = – 20 and an = -11.
n
Use the formula for Sn S n = a1 + a n
2
Plug-in the known values: n
−20 = 7 − 11
Sn = – 20, a1 = 7 and an = -11. 2
n
Simplify and solve for n. −20 = −4
2
−20 = −2n
The sum of the first 10
𝐧 = 𝟏𝟎 terms in this series is -20.
 Example L
In an arithmetic sequence, the sum of the first 13 terms is
273. What is the 1st term of the sequence if the 13th term is
52? 13
Use the formula for S13: S13 = a + a13
2 1
Plug-in the known values: 13
S13 = 273 and a13 = 52 273 = a + 52
2 1
Multiply both sides of the 2(273) = 13(a1 + 52)
equation by 2.
Simplify then solve for a1. 546 = 13a1 + 676
−130 = 13a1 𝐚𝟏 = −𝟏𝟎
 Example M
Given: __, 12, __, __, __, 36, …
What is the sum of the first 6 terms?
We need a1, but before we can get a1, we need the common
difference d first. Using the two given values, a2 and a6:

a6 = a2 + d(6 – 2) Note that this is

just the
36 = 12 + d(4) difference of the
term numbers.

24 = 4d
6=d
Now, let us solve for a1.
 Example M
Given: __, 12, __, __, __, 36, …
What is the sum of the first 6 terms?
Now, to solve for a1
a6 = a1 + d(6 – 1) Note: You can also use the
formula for a2 instead of a6.
36 = a1 + 6(5)
36 = a1 + 30
6 = a1

Now, let us solve for S6.

 Example M
Given: __, 12, __, __, __, 36, …
What is the sum of the first 6 terms?
6
Use the formula for S6. S6 = a1 + a 6
2
Substitute the value that 6
we know, a6 = 36.
S6 = a1 + 36
2
6
Substitute 6 for a1. S6 = 6 + 36
2
Simplify. S6 = 3 42
The sum of the first 6 terms
𝐒𝟔 = 𝟏𝟐𝟔 in this sequence is 126.
 Example N (Problem Solving)
There is a stack of logs in the backyard. There are 15 logs in
the 1st layer, 14 in the second, 13 in the third, 12 in the fourth,
and so on with the last layer having one log. How many logs
are in the stack?

The number of logs can be represented by the arithmetic

sequence 15, 14, 13, 12, …, 1

In this sequence, a1 = 15, an = 1, and d = 1.

We want to find Sn.

 Example N (Problem Solving)
The number of logs can be represented by the arithmetic
sequence 15, 14, 13, 12, …, 1
In this sequence, a1 = 15, an = 1, and d = -1. Find Sn.
Solve for n first. an = a1 + d(n – 1)
Note that n here
represents the number 1 = 15 – 1(n – 1)
of layers of logs.
1 = 15 – n + 1

n = 15
Now, let us solve for S15.
 Example N (Problem Solving)
The number of logs can be represented by the arithmetic
sequence 15, 14, 13, 12, …, 1
In this sequence, a1 = 15, an = 1, and d = -1. Find Sn.
n
Use the formula for Sn. Sn = a + an
2 1
n
Plug in the given values. Sn = 15 + 1
2
15
Substitute 15 for n. S15 = 15 + 1
2
Simplify. 𝐒𝟏𝟓 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 There are 120 logs in the stack.
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge

You decided to start with ₱20 and an increment of ₱5

per week. Therefore, for the succeeding weeks, you
must save ₱25, ₱30, ₱35, ₱40 and so on.

At the end of the 52-week challenge, how much

money will you have?
Let’s solve! What is 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + … + 275?
 The 52-week Money Saving Challenge
Let’s solve! What is 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + … + 275?
There are 52 terms in this sequence so we want to find S52.
52 Note: If you want a bigger
S52 = a1 + a52
2 amount after 1 year (52 weeks),
you can start with a bigger
52 amount or increase the
S52 = 20 + 275 amount you add per week.
2

S52 = 26 295

After completing the challenge,

𝐒𝟓𝟐 = 𝟕𝟔𝟕𝟎 you would have ₱7670.
Things to Do
04
 Things to Do
Creative Work
Refer to the Google Docs file for the instructions.

Pratice Exercises
Refer to the pdf file posted in Google Classroom.

Quizizz Exercises
Refer to the code/link provided in Google Classroom.
 There’s nothing more valuable
than moments of life. All human
life is a sequence of moments.
-Yamamoto Tsunetomo
 Thanks!
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