You are on page 1of 7

Sequences, Series and Binomial theorem

A sequence is a set of numbers arranged in a definite order.

1
,
2
,
3
, ,

,
where
1
,
2
,
3
, ,

, are called terms.


Arithmetic Sequence and Series
A sequence {

} in which each term differs from the previous one by the same
constant (common difference) is called arithmetic sequence.

=
The general term

can be found using the formula

+( )
The Sum (

) of the first terms of an arithmetic sequence {

} is called
arithmetic series and given by

) or

+ ( )]
www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 1
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m



Example
An arithmetic sequence has a 1
st
term of 80 and a 24
th
term of 172. Find the 74
th
term,
an expression for the general term and the sum

.
Solution
Using the formula

+ ( ) we have that

24
=
1
+ (24 1) =
172 80
23
=
92
23
= 4
Thus,
74
=
1
+(74 1) = 80 + (74 1)4 = 372
The general term is

= +( )
and the sum

[ + ( )]




www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 2
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m



Geometric Sequence and Series
A sequence {

} in which each term can be obtained from the previous one by


multiplying by a non-zero constant (common ratio) is called geometric
sequence.

=
The general term

can be found using the formula



The Sum (

) of the first n terms of an geometric sequence {

} is called
geometric series and given by

, || < 1 or

, || > 1


The Sum to infinity (

) of geometric series is given by

, || < 1

www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 3
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m




Example
A geometric sequence has a 4
th
term of 32 and a 7
th
term of 256. Find the 10
th
term, an
expression for the general term and the sum

.
Solution
Using the formula

we have that

4
=
1

41
32 =
1

3
(1)

7
=
1

71
256 =
1

6
(2)
Dividing the two equations we have

6
=
32
256

3
= 8 = 2
and 32 =
1

3
32 =
1
2
3

1
= 4
Thus,
10
=
1

1
= 4 2
101
= 2048
The general term is


and the sum

=
(



www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 4
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m



Sigma Notation
Sigma notation is a way of expressing sums uses the Greek letter

=1

where is the index of summation taking values from 1 to .

Properties of Sigma Notation
(

) =

=1

=1

=1

=1

=1

=1
=
Useful formulas of Sigma Notation
=

=1
( +1)
2

www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 5
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m

=1
=
( + 1)(2 + 1)
6

=1
=

2
( +1)
2
4


Binomial Theorem
( + )

=

=0

where

=
!
!()!

and ! is the product of the first n positive integers for 1
! = 1 2 3 and 0!=1

Example
Using the binomial theorem, expand (3 +1)
4

Solution
Using the formula
( + )

=

=0

we have that
www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 6
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m

(3 + 1)
4
= =
4

(3)
4
1
4
=
4
=0

4
0
(3)
40
+
4
1
(3)
41
+

4
2
(3)
42
+
4
3
(3)
43
+
4
4
(3)
44
=
4!
0!(40)!
81
4
+
4!
1!(41)!
27
3
+
+
4!
2!(42)!
9
2
+
4!
3!(43)!
3 +
4!
4!(44)!
= 81
4
+108
3
+ 54
2
+ 12 +1

www.ibmaths4u.com 2013
IBmaths4u.com

.The information provided on this document is for educational purposes and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Content
contained on this document is the intellectual property of IBmaths4u.com

and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed


without IBmaths4u.com

s express written permission.


Page 7
w
w
w
.
i
b
m
a
t
h
s
4
u
.
c
o
m

You might also like