Lesson 4

Using Technology to Work with Sequences

Problem 1

Technology required. Open a blank spreadsheet. In A1, type 2 and enter.

  1. What should you type into cell A2 to generate the sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, . . . when you fill down the column?
  2. What should you type into cell A2 to generate the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, . . . when you fill down the column?

Solution

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Problem 2

Technology required. Open a blank spreadsheet. In A1, type 400 and enter.

  1. What should you type into cell A2 to generate the sequence 400, 200, 100, 50, 25, . . . when you fill down the column?
  2. What should you type into cell A2 to generate the sequence 400, 325, 250, 175, 100, . . . when you fill down the column?

Solution

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Problem 3

Technology required. Open a blank spreadsheet.

  1. If cell A1 = 5 and cell A2 = A1 * 3 + 2, what are the first 5 terms of the sequence?
  2. If cell A1 = 1 and cell A2 = (A1 + 2) * 3, what are the first 5 terms of the sequence?
  3. If cell A1 = 2 and cell A2 = (A1 + 2) * 3, what are the first 5 terms of the sequence?

Solution

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Problem 4

Technology required. Open a blank spreadsheet.

  1. Find the first 5 terms of a geometric sequence that starts with -5 and has a growth factor of -1.
  2. Find the first 5 terms of a geometric sequence that starts with -20 and has a growth factor of 0.5.
  3. Find the first 5 terms of an arithmetic sequence that starts with -20 and has an rate of change of 5.
  4. Find the first 5 terms of an arithmetic sequence that starts with 43 and has an rate of change of -7.

Solution

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Problem 5

Here is the graph of a sequence.

Graph of a sequence plotted on a grid.

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  1. Explain how you know this sequence is arithmetic.
  2. Explain how you know this sequence is not geometric.

Solution

For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.

(From Unit 1, Lesson 3.)

Problem 6

The first two terms of a geometric sequence are 6 and 3.

  1. Explain why there is only one geometric sequence with these first two terms.
  2. What are the next 3 terms of this geometric sequence?

Solution

For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.

(From Unit 1, Lesson 2.)