Sequence: A list of numbers arranged in a specific order.
Term: Each number in the sequence is called a term of the sequence. These are named as the first term, second term, third term, , -th term, , or written as the st term, nd term, rd term, , -th term, .
General Term: A sequence is typically written as , and the -th term is called the general term of the sequence. A sequence with the general term is written as .
Arithmetic Sequence
Arithmetic Sequence: A sequence created by successively adding a constant value to the preceding term.
Common Difference: The constant value added in an arithmetic sequence.
General Term of an Arithmetic Sequence: If the first term is and the common difference is , the general term of the arithmetic sequence is:
Arithmetic Mean: If three numbers , , and form an arithmetic sequence in this order, is called the arithmetic mean of and . Since , we have:
Sum of an Arithmetic Sequence
The sum of the first terms of an arithmetic sequence is:
If the first term is and the -th term is , then:
If the first term is and the common difference is , then:
Relationship between the sum and the general term of a sequence:
For the sequence , the sum of the first terms is given by:
If (where are constants), then:
If , the sequence forms an arithmetic sequence from the first term.
If , the sequence forms an arithmetic sequence from the second term.
Geometric Sequence
Geometric Sequence: A sequence created by successively multiplying each term by a constant value.
Common Ratio: The constant value multiplied in a geometric sequence.
General Term of a Geometric Sequence: If the first term is and the common ratio is (where ), the general term of the geometric sequence is:
Geometric Mean: If three non-zero numbers , , and form a geometric sequence in this order, is called the geometric mean of and . Since , we have:
Sum of a Geometric Sequence
The sum of the first terms of a geometric sequence with first term and common ratio is:
If , then:
If , then:
Relationship between the sum and the general term of a sequence:
For the sequence , the sum of the first terms is:
If (where , , and are constants), then:
If , the sequence forms a geometric sequence from the first term.
If , the sequence forms a geometric sequence from the second term.
Interest Calculation: If an amount is deposited for years at an annual interest rate , the total amount is: