Section 6-3 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
466 6 SEQUENCES, SERIES, AND PROBABILITY Section 6-3 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences nth-Term Formulas Sum Formulas for Finite Arithmetic Series Sum Formulas for Finite Geometric Series Sum Formula for Infinite Geometric Series For most sequences it is difficult to sum an arbitrary number of terms of the sequence without adding term by term. But particular types of sequences, arith- metic sequences and geometric sequences, have certain properties that lead to con- venient and useful formulas for the sums of the corresponding arithmetic series and geometric series. Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences The sequence 5, 7, 9, 11, 13,..., 5 ϩ 2(n Ϫ 1),..., where each term after the first is obtained by adding 2 to the preceding term, is an example of an arithmetic sequence. The sequence 5, 10, 20, 40, 80,..., 5 (2)nϪ1,..., where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by 2, is an example of a geometric sequence. ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE DEFINITION A sequence a , a , a ,..., a ,... 1 1 2 3 n is called an arithmetic sequence, or arithmetic progression, if there exists a constant d, called the common difference, such that Ϫ ϭ an anϪ1 d That is, ϭ ϩ Ͼ an anϪ1 d for every n 1 GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE DEFINITION A sequence a , a , a ,..., a ,... 2 1 2 3 n is called a geometric sequence, or geometric progression, if there exists a nonzero constant r, called the common ratio, such that 6-3 Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences 467 a n ϭ r DEFINITION anϪ1 2 That is, continued ϭ Ͼ an ranϪ1 for every n 1 Explore/Discuss (A) Graph the arithmetic sequence 5, 7, 9, ...
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