Arithmetic Sequences and Series Summary

Arithmetic Sequences and Series

Summary

an arithmetic sequence or progression, is a sequence where each term is calculated by adding a fixed amount to the previous term.

an arithmetic sequence has a first term, a, and a common difference, d.

if terms of an arithmetic sequence are added together an arithmetic series is formed.

there are formulae for finding the sum of the terms of an arithmetic sequence.

Key Skills
  • determine whether a sequence is arithmetic.
  • find the first term and the common difference.
  • find the formula for the general term and use it to find specific terms of a sequence.
  • find the sum of an arithmetic series
  • use sequences and series to model situations and interpret the findings

Vocabulary

arithmetic sequence, arithmetic progression, sequence, common difference, general term.