Precalculus

Precalculus/Basic Calculus
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Recurrent structures
and forms can easily
be observed in nature,
such as in plants,
flowers, or fruits.

2
Fibonacci sequence,
for example, plays a
vital role in phyllotaxis,
which refers to the
arrangement of leaves
or flowers of a plant.

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In this lesson, we will recall the different types of
sequences and how to use these concepts in
solving problems.

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What are the different types of
sequences and how do they
differ from one another?

5
 Learning Competencies
This lesson serves as a prerequisite for the following DepEd competencies:

● Illustrate a series (STEM_PC11SMI-Ih-1).

● Differentiate a series from a sequence

(STEM_PC11SMI-Ih-2).

● Use the sigma notation to represent a series

(STEM_PC11SMI-Ih-3).

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Recall the concept of a sequence.

● Recall the different types of sequences.

● Solve problems involving sequences.

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 Sequence

A sequence is a list of numbers or objects in a specific

order and may be generated from shapes or patterns.

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 Sequence

 
Each number in a sequence is called a term. Each term is
identified by its position in the sequence and is usually
denoted as

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 Finite and Infinite Sequence

Sequence

Finite Sequence Infinite Sequence

sequence with limited sequence with unlimited

number of terms number of terms

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 Kinds of Sequences

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

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How do different kinds of
sequences differ from one
another?

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 Arithmetic Sequence

 
Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

An arithmetic sequence is a sequence whose

consecutive terms have a common difference .

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 Arithmetic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

To identify the common difference of an arithmetic

sequence, subtract any two consecutive terms of the
sequence.
𝟐,𝟓
 
,8,𝟏𝟏,𝟏𝟒,17,…

𝒅=𝟓−𝟐 𝒅=𝟏𝟒−𝟏𝟏
   

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 Arithmetic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 

The th term of an arithmetic sequence with first term and

common difference is given by:

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 Arithmetic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

Example
Find the 12th term of the arithmetic sequence whose first
term is 10 and whose sixth term is 50.

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 Arithmetic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

Example
Find the 12th term of the arithmetic sequence whose first
term is 10 and whose sixth term is 50.

The 12th term of the arithmetic sequence is 98.

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 Geometric Sequence

 
Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

A geometric sequence is a sequence whose terms can be

obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed
number called the common ratio denoted by .

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 Geometric Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

To identify the common ratio of a geometric sequence,

divide any two consecutive terms of the sequence.

𝟏,𝟑,9,𝟐𝟕,𝟖𝟏,243
 
,…
 
𝟑  
𝟖𝟏
𝒓= 𝒓=
𝟏 𝟐𝟕
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 Geometric Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
The th term of a geometric sequence with first term and
common ratio is given by:

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 Geometric Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

Example
Find the 8th term of the geometric sequence 4, 12, 36, …

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 Geometric Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

Example
Find the 8th term of the geometric sequence 4, 12, 36, …

The 8th term of the given geometric sequence is 8 748.

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How will you know if a problem
involves an arithmetic or a
geometric sequence?

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 Harmonic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

A harmonic sequence is a sequence whose terms are

reciprocals of an arithmetic sequence.

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 Harmonic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
The terms of a harmonic sequence are denoted by ,… ,
where are terms of an arithmetic sequence.

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 Harmonic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
Example
In the harmonic sequence which term is ?

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 Harmonic Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
Example
In the harmonic sequence which term is ?

 
is the 16th term of the given harmonic sequence.

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 Fibonacci Sequence

 
Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

A Fibonacci sequence is a list of numbers such that the

next term is obtained by adding the two previous terms.

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 Fibonacci Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
A Fibonacci-type sequence is a sequence in which it
follows the pattern of a Fibonacci sequence, and the first
and second terms are given.

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 Fibonacci Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
Example
List the first 8 terms of the Fibonacci-type sequence given
that and

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 Fibonacci Sequence

Arithmetic Geometric Harmonic Fibonacci

 
Example
List the first 8 terms of the Fibonacci-type sequence given
that and

The first 8 terms of the Fibonacci-type sequence are 2, 7,

9, 16, 25, 41, 66, and 107.
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 Let’s Practice!

In the arithmetic sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, …, which term

is 401?

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 Let’s Practice!

In the arithmetic sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, …, which term

is 401?

The 100th term of the arithmetic sequence is 401.

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Try It!

Which term is 4 096 in the geometric

sequence 4, 8, 16, 32, …?

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 Let’s Practice!
 
Find the first term of the harmonic sequence whose
4th term is and 8th term is

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 Let’s Practice!
 
Find the first term of the harmonic sequence whose
4th term is and 8th term is

 
The first term of the harmonic sequence is .

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Try It!
 

Find the first term of the harmonic

sequence whose 3rd term is and 6th
term is

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 Let’s Practice!

Experts tested an alternative insecticide in killing

mosquitoes. They placed 640 mosquitoes in a
container and sprayed the insecticide. Every 30
minutes, half of the mosquitoes died. How many
mosquitoes were there after 2 hours?

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 Let’s Practice!

Experts tested an alternative insecticide in killing

mosquitoes. They placed 640 mosquitoes in a
container and sprayed the insecticide. Every 30
minutes, half of the mosquitoes died. How many
mosquitoes were there after 2 hours?

There are 40 mosquitoes left after 2 hours.

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Try It!

There are 160 bacteria placed in a dish,

and the number doubles every hour.
How many bacteria will there be after 5
hours?

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 Check Your Understanding

Identify the next three terms of the following

sequences.

1. ,
2.
3.

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 Check Your Understanding

Solve the following problems.

 
1. Find the first term of an arithmetic sequence whose 6th
term is and 10th term is .

2. Which term is 132 in the sequence whose and

?

3. Find the first term of the harmonic sequence where

and

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 Let’s Sum It Up!
 
● A sequence is a list of numbers or objects in a
specific order and may be generated from shapes
or patterns. Each number in a sequence is called
a term.

● An arithmetic sequence is a sequence whose

consecutive terms have a common difference .

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 Let’s Sum It Up!
 
● A geometric sequence is a sequence whose
terms can be obtained by multiplying the
preceding term by a fixed number called the
common ratio .

● A harmonic sequence is a sequence whose

terms are reciprocals of an arithmetic sequence.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Fibonacci sequence is a list of numbers such that

the next term is obtained by adding the two
previous terms.

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 Key Formulas

Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to solve

Arithmetic Sequence for the th term of an
arithmetic sequence.

Use this formula to solve

 
Geometric
Geometric Sequence
Sequence for the th term of a
geometric sequence.

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Challenge Yourself

Ynah’s annual salary in her work is

₱85 000. If she receives an increase of
25% yearly, how much will be her
annual salary after 5 years?

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Photo Credit

● Slide 1-3: Fibonacci spiral by Anna Benczur is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

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Bibliography
Barnett, Raymond, Michael Ziegler, Karl Byleen, and David Sobecki. College Algebra with
Trigonometry. Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2008. 

Bittinger, Marvin L., Judith A. Beecher, David J. Ellenbogen, and Judith A. Penna. Algebra and
Trigonometry: Graphs and Models. 4th ed. Boston: Pearson/Addison Wesley, 2009.
 
Blitzer, Robert. Algebra and Trigonometry. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice
Hal, 2007.
 
Larson, Ron. College Algebra with Applications for Business and the Life Sciences. Boston:
MA:Houghton Mifflin, 2009.
 
Pierce, Rod. “Sequences.” Math Is Fun. Accessed February 25, 2020 from
https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/sequences-series.html
 
Simmons, George F. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
 
Stapel, Elizabeth. “Sequences and Series: Terminology and Notation.” Purplemath. Accessed
February 25, 2020 from https://www.purplemath.com/modules/series.htm
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