Arithmetic and geometric sequences in our lives

1. INTRODUCTION

Our life is full of various calculations. Mastering specific mathematical knowledge helps in
practical activities, forms an idea of mathematics as a part of human culture. And as the great Plato
said: “It would be good if the state itself demanded this knowledge and if people holding the highest
government positions were taught to do mathematics and, in necessary cases, to turn to it.” Who
knows, maybe there would be no global economic crises in the world.

In the 9th grade geometry course, the topic is studied: "Arithmetic and geometric progressions."
Looking more closely, I began to notice that sooner or later any correct mathematical idea finds
application in this or that business. And in what life situations can the knowledge of progressions be
applied, the question arose before me? Is it possible to see progression in nature, economy and other
areas of human life?
The purpose of the work is to find and compose tasks for students in grades 9 for arithmetic and
geometric sequence.
Issue raised: how many spheres exist in a person's life where sequences can be seen.
Tasks: using the knowledge gained in solving problems, to involve students in "live mathematics".
I put forward a hypothesis: there are countless areas of human life where progressions meet.
The object of study is an arithmetic and geometric sequence.
Research methods: analysis of scientific, educational literature; comparison and analysis of the
results obtained by different authors; their systematization; method of analogy, drawing up tasks,
drawing up diagrams.

2. History reference

The term sequence "progression" is of Latin origin (progression, which means "moving forward")
and was introduced by the Roman author Boethius (6th century). This term in mathematics used to
refer to any sequence of numbers built according to such a law that allows this sequence to continue
indefinitely in one direction. At present, the term "progression" in its original broad sense is not
used. Two important particular types of progressions - arithmetic and geometric - have retained their
names. The very names "arithmetic" and "geometric" were transferred to progressions from the
theory of continuous proportions, which were studied by the ancient Greeks.

Arithmetic sequence.

Definition. An arithmetic progression is a sequence in which each term, starting from the second, is
equal to the previous term added to the same number. This number is called the difference of an
arithmetic progression.
Each arithmetic sequence has the form: a, a + d, a + 2d, a + 3d, ... and is denoted by the sign: ÷

Properties. The nth (general) term of an arithmetic sequence: an = a1 + d(n – 1). A characteristic
property of an arithmetic sequence, each member of the arithmetic sequence, starting from the
second, is equal to the arithmetic mean between the previous and subsequent member.
If the difference of the arithmetic sequence d > 0, then the sequence is called increasing, if d < 0 -
decreasing. The number of members of an arithmetic sequence can be limited or unlimited.
If an arithmetic sequence contains n members, then its sum can be calculated using the formula:
a1 +an 2 a1 +d (n−1)
S n= n S n= n
2 2
Geometric sequence.

Definition. A numerical sequence whose first term is non-zero, and each term, starting from the
second, is equal to the previous term multiplied by the same non-zero number, is called a geometric
sequence. Conditions under which a geometric sequence will exist:
1. The first term cannot be equal to zero, because when multiplied by any number, we will
again get zero as a result, for the third term again zero, and so on. It turns out a sequence of
zeros that does not fall under the above definition of a geometric progression.
2. The number by which the terms of the sequence are multiplied should not be equal to zero,
for the reasons stated above.
The geometric sequence is: b1,b1q,b1q2,b1q3,b1q4,b1q5…
Properties. Further, from the definition of a geometric sequence it follows that the ratio of any of
its members to the previous one is equal to the same number, i.e. b2 /b1 = b3 /b2 = ... = bn /bn-1 = bn+1
/bn = ... . This number is called the denominator of a geometric sequence and is usually denoted by
the letter q.
In order to specify a geometric sequence (bn), it is sufficient to know its first term b1 and the
denominator q. For example, the conditions b1 = 2, q = -5 (q < 0) define a geometric sequence 2, -
10, 50, -250, ... . This sequence is neither ascending nor descending.
It should be noted that: a sequence is called increasing (decreasing) if each subsequent member of
the sequence is greater (less) than the previous one.

Thus, if q > 0 (q ≠ 1), then the sequence is a monotonic sequence. Let, for example, b1 = -3, q = 4,
then the geometric sequence -3, -12, -48, -192, ... is a monotonically decreasing sequence.
However, if q = 1, then all members of the sequence are equal. In this case, the sequence is a
constant sequence.
Any geometric sequence has a certain characteristic property. This property is a consequence of the
very rule for specifying a geometric sequence: the sequence (bn) is a geometric sequence if and only
if each of its terms, starting from the second, is the geometric mean of the terms adjacent to it, i.e.
Using this property, you can find any member of a geometric sequence, if two adjacent ones are
known.
To find the nth member of a geometric sequence, there is a formula:
bn =b1 qn−1
To find the sum of a geometric sequence, use the following formula:
bn q−b 1
S n= , q ≠1
q−1
If in this formula we substitute its expression in the form b1qn-1 instead of bn, then we get another
formula for calculating the sum of a geometric sequence:
b1 (qn−1)
S n= ,q≠1
q−1
A geometric sequence has one more property, namely: from the definition of the denominator of a
geometric sequence, it follows that b1bn = b2bn-1 = ..., i.e., the product of terms equally spaced from
the ends of the progression is a constant value.