Number patterns and
recursion Revision
LESSON 9
Arithmetic vs. Geometric Sequences
Arithmetic Sequences Geometric Sequences
Increases by the common Increases by the common
difference D ratio R
Addition or Subtraction Multiplication or Division
D= – R=
Common difference D
=any term the previous term
===
=…
1. Curve
2. increasing when R>1
3. decreasing towards zero when 0<R<1
1. Straight Line
2. increasing when D>0
3. decreasing towards zero when D<0
A sequence is arithmetic if the differences
between consecutive terms are the same.
4, 9, 14, 19, 24, . . .
arithmetic sequence
9–4=5
14 – 9 = 5
The common difference, D, is 5.
19 – 14 = 5
24 – 19 = 5
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Finding the term in an arithmetic sequence
◦ Find , the 30th term in the arithmetic sequence: 21, 18, 15, 12, …
The term of an arithmetic sequence is given by:
tn = a + n *D
Rule 𝑡 30 21 30 -3
t30 = 21 + 30 × (-3)
t30 = 21 -90
t30 = -69
Recurrence Relations for Arithmetic Sequences
• Recurrence Relations describe the relationship between consecutive
terms in a sequence
• Example: A sequence is defined by the term:
Recurrence Relations Rule
+D
a= the first term
d= common difference
Using a recurrence relation to generate an arithmetic sequence
◦ Generate and graph the first five terms of the sequence defined by the recurrence relation: =24,
= −2
Recurrence Relations Rule
,2
The first five terms are +D
=24
= −2=24−2=22
= −2=22−2=20
= −2=20−2=18
= −2=18−2=16
To graph the terms, plot against 𝑛.
Finding the common ratio r
• Find the common ratio in each of the following geometric sequences.
• A. 3,12,48,192,… B. 16,8,4,2,…
Common ratio, R = = = 4 Common ratio, R = = =
The common ratio R = 4 The common ratio R =
Recurrence Relations for Geometric Sequence
• Recurrence Relations describe the relationship between consecutive
terms in a sequence.
• Example: A sequence is defined by the term:
Recurrence Relations Rule
For Geometric Sequences ×R
a= the first term
r= common ratio
Finding the term in a geometric sequence
• Example: Consider the geometric sequence: 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, 486, …
•,
6 ,1 8 , 54,162,486 …
Given that write down the first six terms of the sequence
Finding the term in a geometric sequence
tn = a x R n Common ratio
position number of
The term The first term the term
Find , the term in the geometric sequence: 3, 6, 12, 24, …
tn = a x R n R=
𝑡 15 3 n= 15
t15 = 3 x 215
= 3 x 215
= 98304
Calculating the common ratio from percentage change
• State, correct to two decimal places, the first four terms in each of these geometric sequences for the changes given.
• A. Starts at 200 and each new term is 4% less than the previous term.
• B. Starts at 500 and each new term is 12% more than the previous term.
Linear growth and decay
Arithmetic Sequence
Using e.g. Simple Interests
recurrence Flat-rate or straight-line depreciation
relations to
model growth Geometric growth and decay
and decay Geometric Sequence
e.g. Compound Interests
Reducing balance depreciation
Finding the term in in a sequence used to model linear growth
or decay
The term of linear growth is given by:
Growth
Vn = +n D
The common difference
The position the term is in
The term of linear decay is given by:
Decay
Vn = n D
= value of the term of the sequence = starting or initial value
Finding the term in in a sequence used to model geometric
growth or decay
Growth Decay
The term of geometric growth or decay is given by:
Vn =
The common ratio
= value of the term of the sequence
The position the term is in = starting or initial value
Using a recurrence relation to model linear growth: simple interest
• The following recurrence relation can be used to model a simple interest investment of $2000 paying
interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.
• =2000, = +150 = Value of the investment after 𝑛 years.
• 1. Use the recurrence relation to find the value of the investment after 1, 2 and 3 years.
• 2. When will the investment reach $2750 in value? 5 years
=2000 =+150=2000+150=$2150
= +150=2150+150=$2300 = +150=2300+150=$2450
1 2. 3 4 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10
Questions & Summary Book
2. Difference 3. What is the
between Arithmetic Recurrence Relations
1. Ex Booklet Revision and Geometric of Arithmetic and
Sequence? Geometric Sequence?
4. Calculating the
term for Arithmetic 5. Summary notes for
and Geometric Homework.
Sequences.
