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Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Differentiating Geometric Sequence
from Arithmetic Sequence

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Mathematics – Grade 10
Quarter 1 – Module 5: Differentiating Geometric Sequence from Aarithmetic Sequence

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Jannie Jill C. Gonzales

Editors: Salvacion B. Felices
Jon Jon R. Monte
Shiela L. Guevara
Noel A. Lozano
Alfie T. Gascon
Jinky A. Villareal
Reviewer: Jinky A. Villareal
Illustrator: Ryan B.Cerillo
Layout Artist: Anthony C. Vista

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 Lesson
DIFFERENTIATING GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
FROM ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

You want to know?

A sequence may be geometrically or arithmetically arranged.
This module will give you an idea on how they are different through activities.

In this module, you will be able to:

Differentiate a geometric sequence from an arithmetic sequence.
M10AL-Id-2
Specifically:
1. Illustrate arithmetic sequence.
2. Know the difference of geometric and arithmetic sequence.

But before you proceed, take a

glimpse of these…

A sequence is a set of numbers, called terms, arranged in some

particular order.
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence with the difference
between two consecutive terms constant. The difference is called the
common difference.
A geometric sequence is a sequence with the ratio between two
consecutive terms constant. This ratio is called the common ratio.

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 PRE-TEST

Let’s check first your

prior knowledge of the
lesson…

Instruction: Let’s play guess the sequence! I give you a sequence and you guess the type by
checking √ the box □ provided for and give the common difference or common
ratio.

1. 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, ...

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

2. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

3. 24, 12, 6, 3, 3/2, ¾, ...

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

4. 55, 51, 47, 43, 39, 35, ...

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

5. 2, 5, 10, 17, ...

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

6. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ...

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence
Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

How do you find the test?

If you got a low score, don’t worry since it’s
just the beginning. This module will show
you how it is done. So just relax and take
it easy. You will come to know it.

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 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Learning Situation No. 1

“Illustrate Arithmetic Sequence”

Arithmetic Sequences

If the terms of a sequence differ by a constant, we say the sequence is

arithmetic. If the initial term (a0) of the sequence is a and the common difference is
d, then we have,

Recursive definition: an = an-1 + d with a0 = a

Closed formula: an = a + dn

How do we know this?

For the recursive definition, we need to specify a 0. Then we need to express
an in terms of an-1. If we call the first term a, then a0 = a. For the recurrence relation, by
the definition of an arithmetic sequence, the difference between successive terms is
some constant, say d. So an – an-1 = d, or in the other words,

a0 = a an = an-1 + d

To find a closed formula, first write out the sequence in general:

a0 = a
a1 = a0 + d = a + d
a2 = a1 + d = a + d + d = a + 2d
a3 = a2 + d = a + 2d + d = a + 3d
.
.
.

We see that to find the nth term, we need to start with a and then add d a
bunch of times. In fact, add it n times. Thus an = a + dn.

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Example 1

Find recursive definitions and closed formulas for

the sequences below. Assume the first term listed is a 0.

1. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …
2. 50, 43, 36, 29, …

Solution:

First we should check that these sequences really are arithmetic by

taking differences of successive terms. Doing so will reveal the common
difference d.

1. 5 – 2 = 3, 8 – 5 =3, etc. To get from each term to the next, we add three,
so d = 3. The recursive definition is therefore a n = an-1 + 3. The recursive
definition is therefore an = an-1 + 3 with a0 = 2. The closed formula is an = 2
+ 3n.

2. Here the common difference is -7, since we add -7 to 50 to get 43, and so
on. Thus we have a recursive definition of an = an-1 – 7 with a0 = 50. The
closed formula is an = 50 – 7n.

Practice Exercise:
Consider the sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, … with a 1 = 5.
a. Give a recursive definition for the sequence.
b. Give a closed formula for the nth term of the sequence.
c. Is 2013 a term in the sequence? Explain.
d. How many terms does the sequence 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, …, 533 have?
e. Find the sum: 5 + 9 + 13 + 17 + 21 + … + 533. Show your work.
f. Use what you found above to find b n, the nth term of 1, 6, 15, 28, 45, …,
where b0 = 1.

Solution:
a. an = an-1 + 4 with a1 = 5.
b. an = 5 + 4 (n-1)
c. Yes, since 2013 = 5 + 4 (503 -1)
d. 133
e. 538 . 133 = 35777
2
f. bn = 1 + (4n+6) n
2

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 Learning Situation No. 2

“Know the difference of geometric and arithmetic sequence.”

Arithmetic Formula:

tn = t1 + (n – 1)d
tn is the nth term, t1 is the first term, and d is the common difference.

Geometric Formula:

tn = t1 . r(n-1)
tn is the nth term, t1 is the first term, and r is the common ratio.

Example 1

Find the first four terms and state whether

the sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or either.

1. tn = 3n + 2
To find the first four terms, in a row, replace n with 1, then 2, then 3
and 4.
√ Answer: 5, 8, 11, 14
The sequence is arithmetic. d = 3
2
2. tn = n + 1
To find the first four terms, do the same as above.
√ Answer: 2, 5, 10, 17
The sequence is neither.
3. tn = 3 . 2n
√ Answer: 6, 12, 24, 48
The sequence is geometric with r = 2
4. tn = 5n – 3
√ Answer: 2, 7, 12, 17
The sequence is arithmetic. d = 5
n
5. tn = 6 . -2
√ Answer: -12, 24, -48, 96
The sequence is geometric with r = -2

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Example 2

I. Find a formula for each sequence.

1. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …
√: It is arithmetic. So use the arithmetic formula you learned.
a1 = 2, look at the first number in the sequence.
d = 3, look at the common difference.
Therefore, an = 2 + (n-1)3 and simplifying yields: an = 3n-1

2. 4, 8, 16, 32, …

√: It is geometric. So use the geometric formula you learned.

a1 = 4, look at the first number in the sequence.
r = 2, look at the common ratio.
Therefore, an = 4 . 2 (n-1) and simplifying gives us:
an = 2 . 2n Rewrite 2(n-1) as 2n . 2-1 and cancel the four.

3. 21, 201, 2001, 20001, …

√: It’s not geometric or arithmetic. Don’t panic. Use your head

and think. Think of the sequence as (20 + 1), (200+1),
(2000+1), (20000+1),… Then as this sequence: [(2)(10)+1],
[(200)(10)+1], [(2000)(10)+1], [(2000)(10)+1]. I see a pattern
without a formula, Powers of 10! tn = 2 . 10n + 1

4. 9, 1, -7, -15, -23, …

√: Arithmetic.
a1 = 9, look at the first number in the sequence.
d = -8, look at the common difference.
Therefore, an = 9 + (n-1)-8 and simplifying yields: an = 17-8n

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Example 3

Find the indicated term of the sequence.

1. Sequence is arithmetic with a1 =5 and a7 = 29. Find a53.

√: Use the formula. 29 = 5 + 6d by substitution,

24 = 6d means d = 4

t53 = 5 + 52 . 4 = 213

2. Find the number of multiples of 9 between 30 and 901.

√: What’s the first multiple of 9 in the range? How about 36?

What’s the last multiple of 9 in the range? How about 900?
Use the formula: 900 = 36 + 9 (n-1) and solve for n!
864 = 9n – 9
873 = 9n
97 = n

There are 97 multiples in the range.

3. Find the first term of a geometric sequence which fourth

term is -40 and which common ratio is -2.

√: Substitute a4 = -40, r = -2, and n = 4 in the formula

an = a1 (r) n-1.

-40 = a1 (-2) 4-1

-40 = a1 (-2) 3
-40 = -8a1
−40
a1 = −8

a1 = 5

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 PRACTICE EXERCISES

PRACTICE TASK 1

Instruction: Read each item carefully then answer the given problems.

1. Consider the sequence (an) n≥0 which starts 8, 14, 20, 26, …
a. What is the next term in the sequence?
b. Find a formula for the nth term of this sequence.

2. Consider the sequence 1, 7, 13, 19, …, 6n + 7.

a. How many terms are there in the sequence?
b. What is the second-to-the last term?

3. Find 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + … + 521.

PRACTICE TASK 2

Instruction: Differentiate the following by identifying as to what kind of sequence

and solve for the common difference (d) or common ratio (r).

1. 9, 27, 81, 243, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

2. 33, 29, 25, 21, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

3. -6, -2, 2, 6, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

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 POST TEST

Instruction: Differentiate the following by identifying as to what kind of sequence by

checking √ the box □ provided and solve for the common difference (d) or
common ratio (r).

1. -1, 4, -16, 64, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

2. 6, 24, 96, 384, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

3. -15, -7, 1, 9, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

4. ½, 1, 2, 4, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

5. 1, 6/5, 7/5, 8/5, …

□ Arithmetic Sequence □ Geometric Sequence

Common Difference: ________ Common Ratio: ________

Job well done !

You got it!
Now, please proceed to
the succeeding activity.

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 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Complete the table.

ARITHMETIC GEOMETRIC
SEQUENCE SEQUENCE

Definition

Example

Commonality

To obtain the next term

General Rule

1. Explain how to determine whether a list of numbers is an arithmetic

sequence and a geometric sequence.

2. What makes an arithmetic sequence different from a geometric

sequence?

3. How will you find the next in an arithmetic sequence and a geometric
sequence?

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 ANSWER KEY

PRE-TEST:
1. Arithmetic, common difference(d) = 5
2. Geometric, common ratio (r) = 2
3. Geometric, common ratio (r) = ½
4. Arithmetic, common difference (d) = -4
5. Neither, no common difference or ratio
6. Neither, no common difference or ratio

PRACTICE TASK 1:
1. a. 32, which is 26 + 6.

b. an = 8 + 6n
2. a. n + 2 terms, since to get 1 using the formula 6n + 7 we must use n = -1. Thus we
have n terms.
b. 6n + 1, which is 6 less than 6n + 7 (or plug in n – 1 for n)
3. 68117. If we take a0 = 5, the terms of the sum are an arithmetic sequence with
closed formula an = 5 + 2n. Then 521 = a 258, for a total of 259 identical 526 terms,
which is twice the total we seek. 526 . 259 = 68117.

PRACTICE TASK 2:
1. GS, r = 3
2. AS, d = -4
3. AS, d = 4
4. GS, r = -2
5. AS, d = -1/2

POST-TEST:
1. GS, r = -4
2. GS, r = 4
3. AS, d = 8
4. GS, r = 2
5. AS, d = 1/5

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 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:

ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE

Definition A sequence where each term A sequence where each term

after the first is obtained by after the first is multiplied by
adding the common common ratio.
difference.
Example (Answer may vary depending on student’s response.)

Commonality Common difference (d) Common ratio (r)

d = a2 – a1 r = a2
a1

To obtain the Add the common difference to Multiply the common ratio to
next term the preceding term. the preceding term.

General Rule an = a1 + (n-1)d an = a1 . rn-1

BIBLIOGRAPHY

home.windstream.net

discrete.openmathbooks.org

DLP in Math 10 lesson M10AL-Id-2

E- Math Worktext in Mathematics 10 by Orlando A. Oronce and Marilyn O.

Mendoza Rev. Ed. 2019

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