4

DETERMINING ARITHMETIC
MEANS, nTH TERM AND SUM OF
AN ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE
for Mathematics Grade 10
Quarter 1/Week 2

1
 FOREWORD

This Self-Learning Kit will serve as a response to

support access to modular distance learning during the
pandemic, providing basic knowledge and skills of student
performance in Mathematics.

In this learning kit, you will gain knowledge in

finding the arithmetic means, nth term, and the sum of an
arithmetic sequence. This will be your guide as you learn
new ideas about mathematical concepts.

This kit includes the following salient

features:

A. What Happened In this part, students will

demonstrate what knowledge and skills they
previously acquired.

B. What You Need to Know This part will provide

students new knowledge and understanding of
mathematical concepts and principles.

C. What Have I Learned This is the part will

provide students the opportunity to evaluate their
critical and analytical thinking skills and develop
their higher ordered cognitive skills.

With this learning kit, it is expected that this will

make mathematics education effective for all
Filipino learners.

2
OBJECTIVES:
1. Write the nth term formula of an arithmetic sequence.
2. Insert arithmetic means between given terms.
3. Find the sum of the terms of a given n terms of an
arithmetic sequence.
4. Show perseverance in solving the arithmetic mean,
nth term and sum of an arithmetic sequence.

LEARNING COMPTENCY:
Determine the arithmetic mean and nth term
of an arithmetic sequence. M10AL-1b-1.1
Determine the sum of the terms of a given arithmetic
sequence.M10AL-1b-1.2

I. WHAT HAPPENED
PRE-ACTIVITIES/PRE-TEST:
You must be excited to flip over the pages and begin
with the lesson just as I am. But first, you need to answer the
Pre-test to measure how much you know about the topic.

I. Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of

the best answer. Write your answer in a separate sheet of
paper.

1. What is the common difference of the following

arithmetic sequence -3/4, -1/4 , 1/4, … ?
A.¼ B. ½ C. -1/4 D.2

2. Which of the following is an arithmetic sequence?

i. 8, -2, -12, -22 iii. 1, 2, 4 , 8, 16
ii. -19, -12, -5 , 2 , 9 iv. 0.6 , 0.9 ,1.2 , 1.8

A. ii only B. iii only C. i and ii D. iii and iv

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 3. Find the 32nd term of the arithmetic sequence: -33, -13, 7,
27, …
A. 650 B. 586 C. 588 D. 587

4. Write the nth term formula of the arithmetic

sequence. d = -3 , a2 = 18.
A. an = - 3n +21 C. an = -3n +24
B. an = 3n -21 D. an = 3n – 11

5. Find the arithmetic mean between 9 and 49.

A. 16 B. 20 C.29 D. 30

6. Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the series 1+ 5 + 9 +13 +…

A. 700 B. 720 C. 750 D. 780

7. The first number in a series of 100 numbers is -82 and the

last number is 215. Find the sum of those numbers.
A. 6600 B. 6650 C. 6868 D. 7089

8. How many terms of the arithmetic sequence 2, 8, 14, 20, …

are required to give a sum of 660?
A. n = 13 B. n = 14 C. n = 15 D. n = 16

9. The fifth term of an arithmetic sequence is 19, a1 = 3 and

the sum of the first five terms is 55. What is the common
difference?
A.4 B. 6 C.8 D. 10

10. It refers to the indicated sum of an arithmetic sequence.

A. geometric series C. arithmetic series
B. harmonic D. Fibonacci

4
 II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (nth term formula)
It is possible to develop a formula for each term of
an arithmetic sequence in terms of the first term a1
and the common difference d.

Consider Example 1. Given : 1,4,7,10,13,16,.. Label

each term in the sequence. The first term as a1 = 1,
second term as a2 = 4 ,third term as a3 = 7 and so
on.

To get the value of a2 we must

add 3 , and to get a3 we got to
add 3.Each time to get the next
term in the sequence, we add 3
to the previous term. 3 is called
the common difference.

Therefore, the nth term formula is an = a1 + (n-1) d

Plug in the values, we have, an = 1 + (n- 1)3 do the operation

an = 1 + 3n – 3 simplify
an = 3n – 2 nth term of the
sequence.

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 Key Concept : nth Term of an Arithmetic Sequence
Sequence

The nth term an of an arithmetic sequence with a1 refer to the

first term , n refer to the number of terms and d refer to the
common difference is given by the formula : an = a1 + (n- 1) d .

Illustrative Examples:
Find the 20th term of the sequence 1 ,4 , 7,10,13,16,…
Given: a1 = 1 , d = 3 n = 20
Solution:
Substitute the value of a1, n and d into the formula :
an = a1 + (n-1) d.
a20 = 1 + (20- 1 ) ( 3 ) Substitute the given values
a20 = 1 + (19) (3) do the operation
a20 = 1 + 57 add
a20 = 58, the 20 term of the sequence 1, 4, 7, …
th

2. In the arithmetic sequence -7, -4 , -1 , 2,…, what term is 44?

Given : a 1 = - 7 , an = 44. d= -4 – (-7) = -4 + 7 = 3
Solution:
Substitute in the formula:
an = a1 + (n-1) d
44 = -7 + (n-1) 3 Substitute the given values.
44 = -7 + 3n - 3 do the operation
44 = 3n - 10 Simplify
3n = 10 +44
1/3 [3n = 54 ]1/3 Multiply the whole equation by1/3

n = 18
Therefore, 44 is the 18th term in the arithmetic
sequence -7, -4 , -1,2,…

3. A pile of blocks has 60 blocks in the bottom row, 54 blocks in the

second row, 48 blocks in the third row and so on until there is only 6
blocks on the top row. How many blocks are in the 8 th row? 10th
row?
Given :
i. a1 = 60, d = -6 , n = 8
ii. ii. a1 = 60, d = -6, n = 10
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 Solution:
i. Solving for the number of blocks in the 8th row, a8:
an = a1 + (n-1) d use the nth term formula
a8 = 60 + ( 8-1) (-6) substitute the value
a8 = 60 + ( 7) (-6) do the operation
a8 = 60 + ( -42) add
a8 = 18 blocks in the 8 row
th

ii. Solving for the number of blocks in the 10th row, a10:

an = a1 + (n-1) d use the nth term formula

a10 = 60 + (10-1) (-6) substitute the value
a10 = 60 + (9 ) (-6) do the operation
a10 = 60 + (-54) add
a10 = 6 blocks in the 10 row
th

4. Write the first four terms of an arithmetic sequence in

which a1 = x and d = 2x + 1.
Given : a1 = x , d = 2x + 1
Solution:
a. Solving for a2, n=2
an = a1 + (n-1) d use the nth term formula
a2 = x + (2-1)(2x +1) substitute the value
a2 = x + (1) (2x +1) do the operation
a2 = x + 2x + 1 combine like terms
a2 = 3x +1

b.Solving for a3, n=3

an = a1 + (n-1) d
a3 = x + (3-1)( 2x +1) substitute the values
a3 = x + (2) (2x +1) do the operation
a3 = x + 4x + 2 combine like terms
a3 = 5x + 2

c. Solving for a4, n=4

an = a1 + (n-1) d
a4 = x + (4 -1) (2x +1) substitute the values
a4 = x + ( 3) (2x +1 ) do the operation
a4 = x + 6x + 3 combine like terms
a4 = 7x + 3
The first four terms are x, 3x + 1, 5x + 2, and 7x + 3

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 ARITHMETIC MEANS:

If a, m , and b is an arithmetic When three terms form an arithmetic

sequence, then m is the sequence,the middle term is called
arithmetic mean, and the arithmetic mean between the
m- a = b – m other two.In the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8,…
2m = a + b
4 is the arithmetic mean between 2
m = a +b
and 6; 6 is the arithmetic mean
2
The terms between any two
between 4 and 8 ; 4 and 6 are the
non- successive terms of an arithmetic means between 2 and 8.
arithmetic sequence are called
ARITHMETIC MEANS.

Illustrative Examples:

1. Find the arithmetic mean between 9 and 49.

Solution : m = a + b
2
m = 9 + 49
2
m = 29 , is the arithmetic mean between 9 and 49
2. Insert three arithmetic means between 3 and 23.
3 , _____, ______, ______, 23.

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 Given ; a 1 = 3, a 5 = 23
Solution:
a. Finding d, when n=5:
an = a1 + (n - 1 ) d using the nth formula

a5 = 3 + ( 5 - 1) substitute the values

23 = 3 + 4d do the operation

¼[4d = 20] ¼ multiply the whole equation by ¼

d = 5, common difference
b. Solving for a2 , n = 2 , substitute d = 5
a2 = 3 + 1(d) = 3 + 1 (5 ) = 8
c. Solving for a3, n = 3, substitute d = 5
a3 = 3 + 2(d) = 3 + 2(5) = 13
d. Solving for a4, n=4 , substitute d = 5
a4 = 3 + 3(d) = 3 + 3(5) = 18
Therefore, the three arithmetic means between 3
and 23 are 8,13,18.
Alternative Solution:
3 , ____, ______, _______, 23.
To find the second arithmetic mean. Get the mean/average of
3 and 23 .
m = 3 + 23
2
m = 26 = 13
2
3, _____, 13,_____, 23.

Then, to find the first arithmetic mean, get the average of 3 and
13 is 8 ; and the third arithmetic mean is the average of 13 and
23 is 18.
3 , 8 , 13 , 18 , 23

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 3. Insert two arithmetic means between 3 and -24.
3 , ____, ______, - 24 .
Given ; a 1 = 3, a 4 = -24 , n = 4
Solution:
a. Finding d .
an = a1 + (n - 1 ) d use the nth formula
a4 = 3 + ( 4 - 1) d substitute the values
- 24 = 3 + 3d do the operation
3d = - 27 transposition method
1/3 [3d = -27] 1/3 multiply the whole equation by 1/3
d = -9
b. Solving for a2:
a2 = a1 + d
a2 = 3+ (-9) substitute the values/do the operation
a2 = -6
c. Solving for a3:
a3 = a2 + d
a3 = (-6) + ( -9) substitute the values/do the operation
a3 = -15

Therefore, the arithmetic means are -6 & -15.

Alternative Solution (Socratic Method):

3 , ____, ______, - 24 . We can find the common difference.
Let the “number “= d. We know that n is negative because
the numbers in the sequence are getting more negative.
d = -24 - 3 = -27 = -9
3 3
NOTE: If the last term and the first term are given.
𝑎
4− 𝑎1
Use the formula: d= 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚−𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

a2 = a1 + d = 3 + (-9) = -6
a3 = a2 + d = (-6 ) + (-9 ) = -15
a 4 = a3 + d = (-15) + (-9) = -24
The sequence is 3 , -6 , -15 , -24 .
Therefore, the two arithmetic means are -6 and -15.

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Let us define first arithmetic series. Arithmetic series is
an indicated sum of the terms of an arithmetic
sequence.
Illustrative Example:
Arithmetic Sequence Arithmetic Series
-9, -3, 3 -9 + (-3) + 3
3 8 13 18 3 8 13 18
, , , + + +
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Sn represents the sum of the first n terms of a series.

Pause for thought…

A famous story tells that this was the problem given

by an elementary school teacher to a famous
mathematician Karl Friedrich Gauss. When Karl was
in grade school his teacher asked the class to add
up the numbers from 1 to 100.
Gauss did it in about 30 seconds. How did he do it?

How many 101s ?

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +….+97 + 98 + 99 + 100

Sn = 50 X 101
S100 = 1 + 2 + … + 99 + 100
100
Sn = X 101 S100 = 100 +99 +…+ 2+ 1
2
2S100 = 101 +101 +…+ 101 + 101
100
Sn = X ( 1 + 100 )
2

Sn = 50 X 101

S100 = 5050, the sum of the numbers from 1 to 100.

,

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 In functional notation, we can express Sn, the sum of the Cancel
first n terms, in two ways: terms
with
unlike
S n = a1 +( a1 + d )+( a1 + 2d )+( a1 + 3d)+…+(a1 + (n-1) d)
sign.
Add
S n = an + ( an - d ) +( an - 2d ) + ( an - 3d) +…+(an - (n-1) d)
Like
term
2Sn =(a1 + an) + ( a1 + an ) +(a1 + an ) +…+ (a1 + an )
s

½ [ 2Sn = n (a1 + an)] ½ divide both equation by ½.

Therefore, we have the sum formula where the

first and last term is given.
𝐧
Sn = (a1 + an) where n = number of terms, a1 = the first term and
𝟐
an= the last term of the sequence.

Key Concepts: Sum of the terms of a given Arithmetic Sequence

Sequence

SUM FORMULA:
𝐧
1. Sn = 𝟐 (a1 + an), where first and the last term is given.
It can also be written as, where an = a1 + (n-1) d
𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 (a1 + an)
𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 [(a1 + a1 + (n-1)d] Substitution
𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 [ (a1 + a1 + (n-1)d] Combine like terms
Thus, we have now the second alternate sum formula.

𝐧
2. Sn = 𝟐 [2a1 + (n – 1) d], where a1= first term ,
n = number of terms and d= common difference between
terms.

Find the Sum of a Finite Arithmetic Series

Example 1. Find the sum of the first 20 positive

integers. The series is 1 +2 + 3 +… + 20.

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 Since you can see that a1 = 1 , a20 = 20, n= 20
and d = 1 , you can use either sum formula for
this series.

Method 1 Method 2

𝐧 𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 (a1 + an) Sum formula Sn = 𝟐 [2a1 + (n – 1) d]
𝟐𝟎 Substitute 𝟐𝟎
S20 = ( 𝟐 ) (1 + 20) S20 = ( )[(2 (1) + (20-1 )1]
the values. 𝟐

S20 = 10 (21) Do the operation S20 = 10(2 +19)

S20 = 210 S20 = 210

The sum of the first 20 positive integers is 210.

Example 2. Find the sum of the first ten terms of the

arithmetic series 4 + 10 + 16+…
Solution:
a1 = 4 , n = 10 , d = 6
Formula:
𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 [2a1 + (n – 1) d]
10
Sn = [2(4) + (10 – 1) 6] Substitute the values
2

S10 = 5 [8 + (9 )6] Do the operation

S10 = 5 [8 + 54]
S10 = 5 (62) Multiply
S10 = 310
The sum of the first ten terms of 4 + 10 +16 +… is 310.

Example 3. How many terms of the series 20 + 18 +16 +…

must be added so that the sum will be (-100)?

Solution:
a1 = 20, d = -2, Sn = -100, n = ?

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 Formula:
𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 [2a1 + (n – 1) d]
n
S20 = 2 [2(20) + (n – 1) (-2)] Substitution
n
-100 = [(40) + (-2n + 2)] Simplify
2

-200 = 42n -2n2

2n2 – 42n – 200= 0 Quadratic equation

n – 21n – 100 = 0
2 Simplify
(n – 25)( n + 4) = 0 Factoring
Solve for the value of n
n= 25, n = -4; (reject n= -4, n must be a positive whole number)

Therefore, 25 terms must be added in the

series 20 + 18+16+… to get a sum -100.

Example 4: Find the sum of the multiples of 3 between 28

and 112.
Solution: The first multiple of 3 between 28 and 112 is 30
and the last multiple of 3 between 28 and 112 is 111.In
order to use sum formula, the number of terms must be
known an = a1 + (n-1)d can be used to find n.
Given :
an = 111, a1 = 30, d = 3 3n – 3 = 81
an = a1 + ( n -1 ) d 3n = 81 + 3
111 = 30 + (n-1) 3 Substitution 3n = 84
111 – 30 = 3n – 3 Transposition n = 28

Now, substitute to the sum formula.

Given : a1 = 30 , an = 111 , n = 28
𝐧
Sn = (a1 + an)
𝟐
28
S28 = (30 + 111)
2
S28 =14 (141)
S28 = 1974
The sum of the multiples of 3 between 28 and 112 is 1974.

14
 Example 5: Visual representation for smaller values.

Find the sum of the first four figures above.

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16

𝐧
Sn = 𝟐 (a1 + an)

4
S4 = 2 (1 + 7)

S4 = 2 (8)
S4 = 16

III. WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

Evaluation/ Post test
A. Multiple Choice
Directions: Choose the best answer. Write the letter and the
solutions on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is the common difference of the sequence x, 4x, 7x , …?

A.5x B.3x C.2x D. x

2. For the sequence 100, 95, 90,…. Which term is 0?

A.19th B. 20th C.21st D. 25th

15
 3. The first four terms of arithmetic sequence are 8,
14, 20, and 26. What is the 12th term?

A.84 B. 80 C. 74 D. 68
4. What is the nth term formula of the sequence 13,
9, 5, 1,…?

A. an = 4n +17 B. an =- 4n +17 C. an = 8n +11 D. an = 8n -17

5. Ferdinand saved 10 pesos on the first day of the

year,12 pesos on the second day ,14 pesos on the
third day and so on, up to the end of the year. How
much did he save on the 365th day?

A.700 pesos B.718 pesos C.738 pesos D.768 pesos

6. Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the series

17 +22 + 27 +….
A. 1190 B. 1290 C. 1300 D. 1309
7. The first number in a series of 10 numbers is 28 and
the last term is 91. Find the sum of those numbers.
A. 390 B. 395 C. 590 D. 595
8. How many terms of the arithmetic sequence
15, 20, 25, 30 … are required to get a sum of 1250?
A. 10 B. 20 C. 25 D. 30
9. a1 = 40 and a7 = 130. The sum of the first seven terms is
595. What is the common difference?
A. 12 B. 15 C. 17 D. 20

10. If a1= 67 and d = -13, find the sum of the first 20

terms.
A. Sn = -1130 B. Sn = 1130
C. Sn = -1110 D. Sn = 1110

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B. How will you prevent the spread of COVID -
19?
For each exercise below, find the sum. Find your
answer at the bottom of the page and write the
letter of the corresponding box above it.

Y sum of the odd integers 1 to 99.

A sum of first ten terms of the arithmetic series 3 + 6 + 9 +…

S sum of the first eight terms of the arithmetic series 5+7+ 9 +….

H sum of 15,20, 25, 30, …., a20

M Given: a1 = 2 ; d = 4 ; n = 10

T Given : a1 = -7 ; d = 8; n = 18

O Given : a1 = 3 ; d = 1/2; n = 9

E Given : a1 = 4 , n = 9 , an = 60

90 96 1098 165 2500 2000 1250 45 200 288

17
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
Division Education Program Supervisor – (SCIENCE & MATH)

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

MARICEL T. TROPEZADO
Writer

MA. LOUANIE I. SASTRE

Lay-out Artist
_________________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
JEROME Y. SILORIO, EdD
MARICEL T. TROPEZADO

BETA QA TEAM
ELIZABETH A. ALAP-AP
EPIFANIA Q. CUEVAS
NIDA BARBARA S. SUASIN
VRENDIE P. SYGACO
MELBA S. TUMARONG
HANNAHLY I. UMALI

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
MARIA FATIMA M. EMPERADO
LEONARDO M. GASO, JR.

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and
may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.
 REFERENCES

Books

Callanta Melvin M., et.al. K to 12 Mathematics 10

Learner’s Module. Department of Education,
Philippines: REX Book Store, 2015.

Callanta Melvin M., et.al. K to 12 Mathematics 10

Teacher’s Guide. Department of Education,
Philippines: REX Book Store, 2015.

Jose-Dilao, Soledad, Ed.D. and Bernabe, Julieta G.

Integrated Mathematics III(SEDIP),
Department of Education,Philippines, 2001.

Oronce, O., and Mendoza, M. E-math IV.Quezon City,

Philippines: Rex Book Store, Inc., 2010.

Website

Kaye, Richard. “Discrete Mathematics, Chapter 11:

Sequences and
Series”.https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/cms/lib/VA01
00017/Centricity/Domain/766/chap11.pdf

Pierce, Rod. “Math is Fun, Sequences and

Series”.(2017).https://www.mathsisfun.com/alg
ebra/sequences-series.html
 SYNOPSIS
As a learner, you will decorate your ANSWER KEY
life either with a simple and complicated
sequence with patterns. You will have to
fill up this missing term and find the sum of
an arithmetic sequence.
As a result of studying this topic, you
will be able to fill up this missing term and
calculate the value of the first term (a1),
the common difference (d), the general
term (an), arithmetic mean, and find the
sum of an arithmetic sequence.
So, explore this self-learning kit and
apply the relevant formulas both
theoretical and practical contexts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maricel T. Tropezado is a secondary mathematics
teacher III at Negros Oriental High School. She
obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary
Education major in Mathematics and Master of Arts in
Education major in Mathematics at Foundation
University. She participated in the 2019 BE-MTS
International Research Conference at St. Paul
University , Dumaguete City. She was one of the writers
of Mathematics Contextualized Teaching-Learning
Materials (Grade10) Phase IV.
ILLUSTRATOR
Francel Marie T. Tropezado is an Administrative Aid
at Negros Oriental State University, Graduate
School. She is a member of Dumaguete City
Animation Guild.