MAA SL

EXERCISES 1.3-1.6 SOLUTIONS

SEQUENCES
Compiled by: Christos Nikolaidis

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCES

A. Practice questions
1. (a) 411 (b) 21311 (c) 980
2. (a) d=8 (b) 75 (c) 385 (d) n = 21
n
3. (a) u1 = 10 d= 5 (b) un = 5n+5 (c) S n = (5n + 15) (d) u n = 105 and S 20 = 1150
2
n
4. (a) u1 = 10 u2 = 15 (b) d= 5 (c) S 3 = 45 S 4 = 70 (d) S n = (5n + 15)
2
5. (a) (i) 15 (ii) 40400 (iii) 40385 (b) 30200
6. (a) 23 (b) 99 (c) 1265

B. Past paper questions (SHORT)

7. (a) u1 = 7, d = 2.5 (M1)

u41 = u1 + (n – 1)d = 7 + (41 – 1)2.5= 107 (A1) (C2)
n
(b) S101 = [2u1 + (n – 1)d]
2
101
= [2(7) + (101 – 1)2.52] (M1)
2
101(264)
= = 13332 (A1) (C2)
2
[4]
5
8. S5 = {2 + 32} (M1)(A1)(A1)
2
S5 = 85 (A1)
OR
a = 2, a + 4d = 32 (M1)
⇒ 4d = 30⇒ d = 7.5 (A1)
5 5
S5 = (4 + 4(7.5)) = (4 + 30) = 85 (M1) (A1)
2 2
[4]
9. (a) attempt to find d (M1)
u − u1
e.g. 3 , 8 = 2 + 2d
2
d=3 A1 N2 2
(b) correct substitution (A1)
e.g. u20 = 2 + (20 –1)3, u20 = 3 × 20 –1
u20 = 59 A1 N2 2
(c) correct substitution (A1)
20 20
e.g. S20 = (2 + 59), S20 = (2 × 2 + 19 × 3)
2 2
S20 = 610 A1 N2 2
[6]

1
10. a=5
a + 3d = 40 (may be implied) (M1)
35
d= (A1)
3
35
T2 = 5 + (A1)
3
2 50
= 16 or or 16.7 (3 s.f.) (A1) (C4)
3 3
[4]
11. (a) attempt to substitute into sum formula for AP (accept term formula) (M1)
e.g. S20 =
20
{2(−7) + 19d },  or 20 (−7 + u 20 ) 
2  2 
setting up correct equation using sum formula A1
20
e.g. {2(–7) + 19d} = 620 A1 N2
2

(b) correct substitution u78 = –7 + 77(4) (A1)

= 301 A1 N2
[5]
12. (a) (i) attempt to set up equations (M1)
–37 = u1 + 20d and –3 = u1 + 3d A1
–34 = 17d
d = –2 A1 N2
(ii) –3 = u1 – 6 ⇒ u1 = 3 A1 N1
(b) u10 = 3 + 9 × –2 = –15 (A1)
10
S10 = (3 + (–15)) = –60 M1A1 N2
2
[7]
13. METHOD 1
substituting into formula for S40 (M1)
correct substitution A1
40(u1 + 106)
e.g. 1900 =
2
u1 = –11 A1 N2
substituting into formula for u40 or S40 (M1)
correct substitution A1
e.g. 106 = –11 + 39d, 1900 = 20(–22 + 39d)
d=3 A1 N2
METHOD 2
substituting into formula for S40 (M1)
correct substitution A1
e.g. 20(2u1 + 39d) = 1900
substituting into formula for u40 (M1)
correct substitution A1
e.g. 106 = u1 + 39d
u1 = –11, d = 3 A1A1 N2N2
[6]

2
14. (a) d=3 (A1)
evidence of substitution into un = a + (n − 1) d (M1)
eg u101 = 2 + 100 × 3
u101 = 302 A1 N3
(b) correct approach (M1)
eg 152 = 2 + (n − 1) × 3
correct simplification (A1)
eg 150 = (n − 1) × 3, 50 = n − 1, 152 = −1 + 3n
n = 51 A1 N2
[6]
15. (a) u4 = ul + 3d or 16 = –2 +3d (M1)
16 – (– 2 )
d= =6 (M1) (A1) (C3)
3
(b) un = ul + (n – 1) 6 or 11998 = –2 + (n – l)6 (M1)
11998 + 2
n= + 1 = 2001 (A1) (A1) (C3)
6
[6]
16. (a) evidence of choosing the formula for 20th term (M1)
e.g. u20 = u1 + 19d
correct equation A1
64 − 7
e.g. 64 = 7 + 19d , d =
19
d=3 A1 N2 3
(b) correct substitution into formula for un A1
e.g. 3709 = 7 + 3(n – 1), 3709 = 3n + 4
n = 1235 A1 N1 2
[5]
17. (a) common difference is 6 A1 N1
(b) evidence of appropriate approach (M1)
e.g. un = 1353
correct working A1
1353 + 3
e.g. 1353 = 3 + (n – 1)6,
6
n = 226 A1 N2
(c) evidence of correct substitution A1
226(3 + 1353) 226
e.g. S226 = , (2 × 3 + 225 × 6)
2 2
S226 = 153 228 (accept 153 000) A1 N1
[6]
18. (a) evidence of equation for u27 M1
e.g. 263 = u1 + 26 × 11, u27 = u1 + (n – 1) × 11, 263 – (11 × 26)
u1 = –23 A1 N1
(b) (i) correct equation A1
e.g. 516 = –23 + (n – 1) × 11, 539 = (n – 1) × 11
n = 50 A1 N1
(ii) correct substitution into sum formula A1
50(−23 + 516) 50(2 × (−23) + 49 ×11)
e.g. S50 = , S 50 =
2 2
S50 = 12325 (accept 12300) A1 N1
[6]

3
19. 17 + 27 + 37 + ... + 417 = 17 + (n – 1)10 = 417 (M1)
10(n – 1) = 400 so n = 41 (A1)
41
S41 = (2(17) + 40(10)) (M1)
2
= 41(17 + 200) = 8897 (A1)
OR
41 41
S41 = (17 + 417) = (434) = 8897 (M1) (A1)
2 2
[4]
20. (a) u1 = S1 = 7 (A1) (C1)
(b) u2 = S 2 − u1 = 18 − 7 = 11 (A1)
d = 11 − 7 = 4 (M1)(A1) (C3)
(c) u4 = u1 + ( n − 1) d = 7 + 3(4) (M1)
u4 = 19 (A1) (C2)
[6]
21. Arithmetic sequence (M1)
a = 200 d = 30 (A1)
(a) Distance in final week = 200 + 51 × 30= 1730 m (M1)(A1) (C3)
52
(b) Total distance = [2.200 + 51.30] = 50180m (M1)(A1) (C3)
2
Note: Penalize once for absence of units
[6]
22. (a) Recognizing an AP (M1)
u1 =15 d = 2 n = 20 (A1) 4
substituting into u20 = 15 + (20 –1) × 2 M1
= 53 (that is, 53 seats in the 20th row) A1

(b) Substituting into S20= 20 (2(15) + (20–1)2) (or into 20 (15 + 53)) M1
2 2
= 680 (that is, 680 seats in total) A1 2
[6]

23. (a) a1 = 1000, an = 1000 + (n – 1)250 = 10 000 (M1)

10 000 − 1000
n= + 1 = 37.
250
She runs 10 km on the 37th day. (A1)
37
(b) S37 = (1000 + 10 000) (M1)
2
She has run a total of 203.5 km (A1)
[4]
24. Arithmetic sequence d = 3 (may be implied) (M1)(A1)
n = 1250 (A2)
1250  1250 
S = (3 + 3750)  or S = (6 + 1249 × 3)  (M1)
2  2 
= 2 345 625 (A1) (C6)
[6]

4
25. (a) 3, 6, 9 A1 N1
2 × 3 + (20 −1)× 3
20
(b) (i) Evidence of using the sum of an AP eg M1
2
20

∑ 3n = 630
n =1
A1 N1

(ii) METHOD 1
100

∑ 3n
100
Correct calculation for eg (2 × 3 + 99 × 3),15150 (A1)
n =1 2
Evidence of subtraction eg 15150 − 630 (M1)
100

∑ 3n =14520
n = 21
A1 N2

METHOD 2
Recognising that first term is 63, the number of terms is 80 (A1)(A1)
80
eg (63 + 300), 80 (126 + 79 × 3)
2 2
100

∑ 3n =14520
n = 21
A1 N2

[6]
26. (a) u1 = 1, u2 = –1, u3 = –3 A1A1A1 N3
(b) Evidence of using appropriate formula M1
20
correct values S20 = (2 × 1 + 19 × –2) (= 10(2 – 38)) A1
2
S20 = –360 A1 N1
[6]
27. (a) d=2 A1 N1
(b) (i) 5 + 2n = 115 (A1)
n = 55 A1 N2
(ii) u1 = 7 (may be seen in above) (A1)
correct substitution into formula for sum of arithmetic series (A1)
55

∑
55 55
e.g. S55 = (7 + 115), S 55 = (2(7) + 54(2)), (5 + 2k )
2 2 k =1
S55 = 3355 (accept 3360) A1 N3
[6]

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES

A. Practice questions

28. (a) 5120 (b) 10230 (c) 10x2n-1 (=5x2n) (d) 20480
29. (a) 0.0195 (b) 19.98 (c) 20 (d) 0.000610
30. (a) 2 (b) 80 (c) 5115 (d) 9
31. (a) 5/3 (b) 5/7
32. (a) 2500(1.05)7 , 2500(1.025)14 , 2500(1.0125)28 (b) 15
33. (a) 2046 (b) 1
34. (a) 30 (b) 20

5
B. Past paper questions (SHORT)

35. (a) u10 = 3(0.9)9 A1 N1

(b) recognizing r = 0.9 (A1)
correct substitution A1
3
e.g. S =
1 − 0.9
3
S= (A1)
0.1
S = 30 A1 N3
[5]
1
36. (a) (0.2) A1 N1
5
1
9
 1 7 
(b) (i) u10 = 25  = 0.0000128    , 1.28 ×10 −5 , 1  (M1)A1 N2
5  5  78125 

n −1
1
(ii) u n = 25  A1 N1
5
(c) For attempting to use infinite sum formula for a GP (M1)
125
S= = 31.25 (= 31.3 to 3 s f ) A1 N2
4
[6]
2
37. (a) For taking an appropriate ratio of consecutive terms r = (M1)A1 N2
3
(b) For attempting to use the formula for the nth term of a GP (M1)
u15 = 1.39 A1 N2
(c) For attempting to use infinite sum formula for a GP (M1)
S = 1215 A1 N2
[6]
38. (a) For taking three ratios of consecutive terms (M1)
54 162 486
= = (= 3) A1
18 54 162
hence geometric AG N0
(b) (i) r=3 (A1)
un = 18 × 3n − 1 A1 N2
n−1
(ii) For a valid attempt to solve 18 × 3 = 1062882 (M1)
eg trial and error, logs
n = 11 A1 N2
[6]
1800 1800
39. (a) evidence of dividing two terms e.g. − ,− (M1)
3000 1080
r = − 0.6 A1 N2
(b) evidence of substituting into the formula for the 10th term (M1)
e.g. u10 = 3000(− 0.6)9
u10 = −30.2 (accept the exact value −30.233088) A1 N2
3000
(c) evidence of substituting into the formula for the inf sum e.g. S = (M1)
1.6
S = 1875 A1 N2
[6]

6
 16  1 
40. (a) r= =  A1 N1
32  2 
(b) correct calculation or listing terms (A1)
6 −1 3
1 1
e.g. 32 ×   , 8 ×   , 32, ... 4, 2, 1
2 2
u6 = 1 A1 N2
(c) evidence of correct substitution in S∞ A1
32 32
e.g. ,
1 1
1−
2 2
S∞ = 64 A1 N1
[5]
41. (a) evidence of substituting into formula for nth term of GP (M1)
1 3
e.g. u4 = r
81
1 3 1
setting up correct equation r = A1
81 3
r=3 A1 N2
(b) METHOD 1
setting up an inequality (accept an equation) M1
1 n 1
(3 − 1) (1 − 3 n )
e.g. 81 > 40; 81 > 40; 3 n > 6481
2 −2
evidence of solving M1
e.g. graph, taking logs
n > 7.9888... (A1)
n=8 A1 N2
METHOD 2
if n = 7, sum = 13.49...; if n = 8, sum = 40.49... A2
n = 8 (is the smallest value) A2 N2
[7]
Extra question
S7 = 13.49 S8 = 40.49
42. For using u3 = u1r2 = 8 (M1)
8 = 18r2 (A1)
8  4
r2 = = 
18  9 
2
r=± (A1)(A1)
3
u
S∞ = 1 ,
1− r
54
S ∞ = 54 , (= 10.8) (A1)(A1) (C3)
5
[6]
Extra question
18, 12, 8, 16/3, 32/9 and 18, -12, 8, -16/3, 32/9

7
 2
u 3
43. S= 1 = (M1)(A1)
1− r  2
1− − 
 3
2 3 2
= × = (A1)(A1) (C4)
3 5 5
[4]
44. The sum to infinity of a geometric series is
u
S∞ = 1 , r = < 1
1− r
−2
In this case, u1 = –12 and r = , therefore
3
− 12 − 36
S∞ = = or – 7.2 (M1)(A1) (A1)
 2 5
1− − 
 3
[3]
7
45. (a) ∑2
r =4
r
= 2 4 + 2 5 + 2 6 + 2 7 (accept 16 + 32 + 64 + 128) A1 N1

(b) (i) METHOD 1

recognizing a GP (M1)
u1 = 24, r = 2, n = 27 (A1)
correct substitution into formula for sum (A1)
2 4 ( 2 27 − 1)
e.g. S27 =
2 −1
S27 = 2147483632 A1 N4

METHOD 2
30 30 3
recognizing ∑ =∑ −∑
r =4 r =1 r =1
(M1)

recognizing GP with u1 = 2, r = 2, n = 30 (A1)correct

substitution into formula for sum
2( 2 30 − 1)
S30 = (A1)
2 −1
= 2147483646

30

∑2
r =4
r
= 2147483646 – (2 + 4 + 8)

= 2147483632 A1 N4

(ii) valid reason (e.g. infinite GP, diverging series), and r ≥ 1 (accept r > 1)R1R1 N2
[7]

8
46. (a) 5 000(1.063)n A1 1
(b) Value = $5 000(1.063)5 (= $6 786.3511...)
= $ 6 790 to 3 s.f. (Accept $ 6 786, or $ 6 786.35) A1 1
(c) (i) 5000(1.063)n > 10000 or (1.063)n > 2 A1 1
(ii) Attempting to solve the inequality «log (1.063) > log 2 (M1)
n > 11.345... (A1)
12 years A1 3
Note: Candidates are likely to use TABLE or LIST
on a GDC to find n. A good way of communicating
this is suggested below.
Let y = 1.063x (M1)
When x = 11, y = 1.9582, when x = 12, y = 2.0816 (A1)
x = 12 i.e. 12 years A1 3
[6]
10
47. (a) $ 1000 × 1.075 = $ 2061 (nearest dollar) (A1) (C1)
(b) 1000(1.07510 + 1.0759 + ... + 1.075) (M1)
1000(1.075)(1.07510 − 1)
= (M1)
1.075 − 1
= $ 15 208 (nearest dollar) (A1) (C3)
[4]

C. Past paper questions (LONG)

360 240 3
48. (a) r= = = = 1.5 (A1) 1
240 160 2
(b) 2002 is the 13th year. (M1)
u13 = 160(1.5)13–1 (M1)
= 20759 (Accept 20760 or 20800.) (A1) 3
(c) 5000 = 160(1.5)n–1
5000
= (1.5)n–1 (M1)
160
 5000 
log   = (n – 1)log1.5 (M1)
 160 
 5000 
log 
n–1=  160 
= 8.49 (A1)
log 1.5
⇒ n = 9.49 ⇒ 10th year ⇒ 1999 (A1)
OR
3
Using a gdc with u1 = 160, uk+1 = uk, u9 = 4100, u10 = 6150 (M2)
2
1999 (G2) 4
 1 .5 − 1 
13
(d) S13 = 160   = 61958 (Accept 61960 or 62 000.) (M1) (A1) 2
 1 .5 − 1 
(e) Nearly everyone would have bought a portable telephone so there
would be fewer people left wanting to buy one. (R1)
OR Sales would saturate. (R1) 1
[11]

9
49. Note: Throughout this question, the first and last terms are interchangeable.
(a) For recognizing the arithmetic sequence (M1)
u1 = 1, n = 20, u20 = 20 (u1 = 1, n = 20, d = 1) (A1)
Evidence of using sum of an AP M1

S20 =
(1 + 20) 20 (or S =
20
(2 ×1 + 19 ×1)) A1
2 2
S20 = 210 AG N0
(b) Let there be n cans in bottom row
Evidence of using Sn = 3240 (M1)

eg
(1 + n ) n = 3240 , n (2 + (n −1)) = 3240 , n (2n + (n −1)(− 1)) = 3240
2 2 2
n2 + n − 6480 = 0 A1
n = 80 or n = −81 (A1)
n = 80 A1 N2

(c) (i) Evidence of using S =

(1 + n ) n 2S = n2 + n (M1) A1
2
n2 + n − 2S = 0 AG N0
(ii) METHOD 1

Substituting S = 2100 eg n2 + n − 4200 = 0, 2100 =

(1 + n ) n A1
2
EITHER
n = 64.3, n = −65.3 A1
Any valid reason which includes reference to integer being needed, R1
and pointing out that integer not possible here. R1 N1
eg n must be a (positive) integer, this equation does not have
integer solutions.
OR
Discriminant = 16 801 A1
Valid reason which includes reference to integer being needed, R1
and pointing out that integer not possible here. R1 N1
eg this discriminant is not a perfect square, therefore no
integer solution as needed.
METHOD 2
Trial and error
S64 = 2080, S65 = 2145 A1A1
Any valid reason which includes reference to integer
being needed, R1
and pointing out that integer not possible here. R1 N1
[14]

10
 1
50. (a) (i) Area B = , area C = 64 (A1)(A1)
16
1 1
16 = 1 64 = 1 (Ratio is the same.)
(ii) (M1)(R1)
1 4 1 4
4 16
1
(iii) Common ratio = (A1) 5
4
1 1 5
(b) (i) Total area (S2) = + = = (= 0.3125) (0.313, 3 s.f.) (A1)
4 16 16
1   1  
8
1−  
4   4  
(ii) Required area = S8 =  (M1)
1
1−
4
= 0.333328 2(471...) (A1)
= 0.333328 (6 s.f.) (A1) 4
Note: Accept result of adding together eight areas correctly.
1
1
(c) Sum to infinity = 4 = (A1)(A1) 2
1 3
1−
4
[11]

51. (a) (i) PQ = AP 2 + AQ 2 (M1)

= 2 2 + 22 = 4(2 ) = 2 2 cm (A1)(AG)

(ii) Area of PQRS = (2 2 ) (2 2 ) =8 cm2 (A1) 3

(b) (i) Side of third square = ( 2) + ( 2)

2 2
= √4 = 2 cm
2
Area of third square = 4 cm (A1)
1st 16 2nd 8
(ii) = = (M1)
2nd 8 3rd 4
8 4 1
⇒ Geometric progression, r = = = (A1) 3
16 8 2
10
10 1 16
(c) (i) u11 = u1r = 16   = (M1)
2 1024
1
= ( = 0.015625 = 0.0156, 3 s.f.) (A1)
64
u 16
(ii) S∞ = 1 = = 32 (M1) (A1) 4
1– r 1– 1
2
[10]

11
52. (a) (i) r = −2 A1 N1
(ii) u15 = −3 (−2)14 (A1)
= −49152 (accept −49200) A1 N2
(b) (i) 2, 6, 18 A1 N1
(ii) r=3 A1 N1
(c) Setting up equation (or a sketch) M1
x +1 2 x + 8
= (or correct sketch with relevant information) A1
x − 3 x +1

x2 + 2x + 1 = 2x2 + 2x − 24 (A1)
x2 = 25 x = 5 or x = −5
x = −5 A1 N2
Notes: If “trial and error” is used, work must be
documented with several trials shown.
Award full marks for a correct answer with this
approach. If the work is not documented, award N2
for a correct answer
1
(d) (i) r= A1 N1
2
(ii) For attempting to use infinite sum formula for a GP (M1)
−8
S= S = −16 A1 N2
1
1−
2
Note: Award M0A0 if candidates use a value of r where r > 1, or r < −1.
[12]

12