Lesson 8.1
Page 587-589
#1-25(EOO), 33, 37, 43-65 (ODD),
69-77(EOO), 79-95 (ODD), 99,
103-111 (ODD)
Sequences and Series
Objective
Students will know how to use sequence, factorial, and
summation notation to write the terms and sum of a
sequence, and how to find sums of infinite series.
What is a sequence???
3, 6, 9, 12, 15
Finite Sequence
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …
Infinite Sequence
Sequence - a function whose domain is a set of
consecutive integers.
3, 6, 9, 12, 15
If the terms of a sequence have a pattern, then
you may be able to write a rule for the nth term
of the sequence.
General Rule:
an  3n
a1  31  3


a2  32  6
3, 6, 9, 12, 15
General Rule:
an  3n
** Can also be written using function notation **

f
n

3n



Domain:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Range:
3, 6, 9, 12, 15

Series - when the terms of a sequence are added.
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15
Finite Series
OR
Partial Sum
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + …
Infinite Series
Sigma Notation
We use summation notation to write a series.
upper limit
3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 
5
 3i
 45
i1
index of
summation

lower limit
“ the sum from i equals 1 to 5 of 3i ”
