Algebra 2: Section 11-2 Arithmetic Sequences

Standard: Students find the general term of arithmetic series.

·  In an arithmetic sequence: the difference between consecutive terms is constant.

·  A common difference is: can be positive (terms are increasing in value) or negative (terms are decreasing in value).

·  The arithmetic mean of any two numbers is: the average of the two numbers.

Example 1) Identifying an Arithmetic Sequence

Is the sequence arithmetic?

a) 7, 10, 13, 16, …

The common difference is _____. This _____ an arithmetic sequence.

b) the sequence of dots shown below

3, 6, 10, 15

There is no common difference. This ______an arithmetic sequence.

Example 2) Saving Money

a) Suppose you have already save $75 toward the purchase of a new CD player. You plan to save at least $12 a week from money you earn at a part-time job. In all, what is the minimum amount you will have saved after 26 weeks?

Find the 27th term of the sequence 75, 87, 99, …

Why was it necessary to find the value if the 27th term, not the 26th term?

Example 3) Using the Arithmetic Mean

Find the missing term of the arithmetic sequence

50, ____, 92

Arithmetic mean +

The missing term is ____.

Quick Check

Ex. 1) Is the given sequence arithmetic? If so, identify the common difference.

a) 2, 5, 7, 12, … b) 48, 45, 42, 39, …

Ex. 2)

b) Use the explicit formula to find the 25th term in the sequence

5, 11, 17, 23, 29, …

Ex. 3)

a) Find the missing term of the arithmetic sequence 24, __, 57.

b) Write an expression that shows the arithmetic mean of and .

Assignment page 618 #1-29 odds

Day 2

Ex. 4) Extra Examples.

You are given two terms of each arithmetic sequence, find and d.

a) and

b) In an arithmetic sequence with and , which term is -82?

Ex. 5) Extra Example

Write an explicit and a recursive formula for the sequence.

-2, 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, …

Assignment page 619 #47-59 odds, 75, 77, 90-93 all