Sequences

Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
Definition: A sequence is the list of outputs f(n) of a
function f where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. We write f(n) as fn.
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
Definition: A sequence is the list of outputs f(n) of a
function f where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. We write f(n) as fn.
A sequence may be listed as f1, f2 , f3 , …
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
Definition: A sequence is the list of outputs f(n) of a
function f where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. We write f(n) as fn.
A sequence may be listed as f1, f2 , f3 , …
f100 = 100th number on the list,
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
Definition: A sequence is the list of outputs f(n) of a
function f where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. We write f(n) as fn.
A sequence may be listed as f1, f2 , f3 , …
f100 = 100th number on the list,
fn = the n’th number on the list,
 Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of infinitely many
numbers that may or may not have a pattern.
Example A:
1, 3, 5, 7, 9,… is the sequence of odd numbers.
1, 4, 9, 16, 25,… is the sequence of square numbers.
5, -2, , e2, -110, …is a sequence without an obvious
pattern.
Definition: A sequence is the list of outputs f(n) of a
function f where n = 1, 2, 3, 4, ….. We write f(n) as fn.
A sequence may be listed as f1, f2 , f3 , …
f100 = 100th number on the list,
fn = the n’th number on the list,
fn-1 = the (n – 1)’th number on the list or the number
before fn.
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
c. For the sequence of odd numbers 1, 3, 5, …
a general formula is fn= 2n – 1.
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
c. For the sequence of odd numbers 1, 3, 5, …
a general formula is fn= 2n – 1.
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
c. For the sequence of odd numbers 1, 3, 5, …
a general formula is fn= 2n – 1.
d. For the sequence of odd numbers with alternating
signs -1, 3, -5, 7, -9, …fn = (-1)n(2n – 1)
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
c. For the sequence of odd numbers 1, 3, 5, …
a general formula is fn= 2n – 1.
d. For the sequence of odd numbers with alternating
signs -1, 3, -5, 7, -9, …fn = (-1)n(2n – 1)
 Sequences
Example B:
a. For the sequence of square numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, …
f3 = 9, f4= 16, f5 = 25,
and a formula for fn is fn = n2.
b. For the sequence of even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, …
f3= 6, f4 = 8, f5 = 10,
and a formula for fn is fn = 2*n
c. For the sequence of odd numbers 1, 3, 5, …
a general formula is fn= 2n – 1.
d. For the sequence of odd numbers with alternating
signs -1, 3, -5, 7, -9, …fn = (-1)n(2n – 1)
A sequence whose signs alternate is called an
alternating sequence as shown in part d.
Summation Notation
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:

100

k=1
fk
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:

100

k=1
fk

A variable which is called the

“index” variable, in this case k.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:

100

k=1
fk

A variable which is called the

“index” variable, in this case k.
k begins with the bottom number
and counts up (runs) to the top number.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:

100

k=1
fk

A variable which is called the The beginning number

“index” variable, in this case k.
k begins with the bottom number
and counts up (runs) to the top number.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:
The ending number
100

k=1
fk

A variable which is called the The beginning number

“index” variable, in this case k.
k begins with the bottom number
and counts up (runs) to the top number.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:
The ending number
100

k=1
fk = f1 f2 f3 … f99 f100

A variable which is called the The beginning number

“index” variable, in this case k.
k begins with the bottom number
and counts up (runs) to the top number.
 Summation Notation
In mathematics, the Greek letter “ ” (sigma) means
“to add”. Hence, “ x” means to add the x’s,
“ (x*y)” means to add the x*y’s. (Of course the x's
and xy's have to be given in the context.)
Given a list, let's say, of 100 numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., f100,
their sum f1 + f2 + f3 ... + f99 + f100 may be written in
the - notation as:
The ending number
100

k=1
fk = f1+ f2+ f3+ … + f99+ f100

A variable which is called the The beginning number

“index” variable, in this case k.
k begins with the bottom number
and counts up (runs) to the top number.
 Summation Notation

k=4
f k =
5
ai =
i=2
9
xjyj =
j=6
n+3
aj =
j=n
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
ai =
i=2
9
xjyj =
j=6
n+3
aj =
j=n
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
xjyj =
j=6
n+3
aj =
j=n
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj =
j=n
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj = an+ an+1+ an+2+ an+3
j=n
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj = an+ an+1+ an+2+ an+3
j=n

Summation notation are used to express formulas in

mathematics.
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj = an+ an+1+ an+2+ an+3
j=n

Summation notation are used to express formulas in

mathematics. An example is the formula for
averaging.
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj = an+ an+1+ an+2+ an+3
j=n

Summation notation are used to express formulas in

mathematics. An example is the formula for
averaging. Given n numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., fn, their
average (mean), written as f,
is (f1 + f2 + f3 ... + fn-1 + fn)/n.
 Summation Notation
Example C:
8

k=4
f k = f 4 + f 5 + f 6 + f 7 + f 8
5
a i = a 2+ a 3+ a 4+ a 5
i=2
9
x j y j = x 6y 6+ x 7y 7 + x 8y 8+ x 9y 9
j=6
n+3
aj = an+ an+1+ an+2+ an+3
j=n

Summation notation are used to express formulas in

mathematics. An example is the formula for
averaging. Given n numbers, f1, f2, f3,.., fn, their
n
average (mean), written as f, f
k=1 k
is (f1 + f2 + f3 ... + fn-1 + fn)/n. In notation, f = n
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1)
k=5
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) =
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
= 170
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
=(-1)3(3*3+2)+(-1)4(3*4+2)+(-1)5(3*5+2)
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
=(-1)3(3*3+2)+(-1)4(3*4+2)+(-1)5(3*5+2)
= -11 + 14 – 17
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
=(-1)3(3*3+2)+(-1)4(3*4+2)+(-1)5(3*5+2)
= -11 + 14 – 17
= -14
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
=(-1)3(3*3+2)+(-1)4(3*4+2)+(-1)5(3*5+2)
= -11 + 14 – 17
= -14
In part b, the multiple (-1)k change the sums to an
alternating sum, t
 Summation Notation
The index variable is also used as the variable that
generates the numbers to be summed.
Example D:
8
a. (k2 – 1) = (52–1) + (62–1) + (72–1) + (82–1)
k=5
k=5 k=6 k=7 k=8
= 24 + 35 + 48 + 63
5
= 170
b. (-1)k(3k + 2)
k=3
=(-1)3(3*3+2)+(-1)4(3*4+2)+(-1)5(3*5+2)
= -11 + 14 – 17
= -14
In part b, the multiple (-1)k change the sums to an
alternating sum, that is, a sum where the terms
alternate between positive and negative numbers.
 Sequences
Exercise A. List the first four terms of each of the
following sequences given by fn where n = 1,2, 3, ..
1. fn = –5 + n
2. fn = 5 – n
3. fn = 3n
4. fn = –5 + 2n
5. fn = –4n + 1
6. fn = 5 – n2
7. fn = 2n2 – n
8. fn = (–1)n5 / n fn = –5 + n
9. fn = (3n + 2)/(–1 – n)
10. fn = n2 / (2n + 1)
 Sequences
Exercise B. Find a formula fn for each of the
following sequences.
11. 2, 3, 4, 5..
12. –3, –2, –1, 0, 1..
13. 10, 20, 30, 40,..
14. 5, 10, 15, 20,..
15. –40, –30, –20, –10, 0,..
16. –5, –10, –15, –20,..
17. 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5..
18. 1/2, –2/3, 3/4, –4/5..
19. –1, 1/4, –1/9, 1/16, –1/25,..
20. 1, r1, r2, r3,..