Lesson 2

Lesson 2: Applications of Arithmetic Sequences

 

Focus

 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a money tree? Just plant a penny, water regularly, and watch the tree grow. After a season you could harvest the riches! While you may not have a money tree, you can still grow your money by investing your dollars.

 

If you are just starting to invest, you might deposit your money into a savings account. You could also buy guaranteed investment certificates or savings bonds. By taking any of these actions, you will earn interest on your money.

 

Interest is the rate of return that a bank pays you for saving money. The amount you earn depends on several factors, including how much you save, how long you leave your money in the bank, and the interest rate your money earns.

 

In this lesson you will continue your study of arithmetic sequences. You will discover a relationship between arithmetic sequences and linear functions, a topic you studied in a previous math course. You will also use arithmetic sequences to model and solve a variety of problems.

 

Outcomes

 

At the end of this lesson you will be able to

• describe the relationship between arithmetic sequences and linear functions

• solve a problem that involves an arithmetic sequence

Lesson Questions

 

In this lesson you will investigate the following questions:

• How are arithmetic sequences related to linear functions?
  
  
• How are sequences useful in solving problems?

Assessment

 

Your assessment may be based on a combination of the following tasks:

• completion of the Lesson 2 Assignment (Download the Lesson 2 Assignment and save it in your course folder now.)
  
  
• course folder submissions from Math Lab, Try This, and Share activities
  
  
• additions to Module 1 Glossary Terms and Formula Sheet
  
  
• work under Project Connection

Materials and Equipment

 

You will need a ruler and a pencil.