Unit Description

Investigating Sequences and Series

Karen Brown

The intent of teaching sequences and series in Precalculus will be to introduce some students to the concept of sequences and series, enrich other students understanding of sequences and series, deepen each student’s understanding of these concepts, and enable students to apply these concepts in context empowering students to utilize these concepts in real world applications. This unit will develop student understanding of the definitions and formulas necessary for conquering sequences and series. Students will generate terms of sequences, generate the nth terms of sequences, and understand the differences between arithmetic and geometric sequences and series. Requiring students to think critically about various problem solving scenarios involving sequences and series will prepare them for the new state assessment. A unit covering these topics will also enable students to understand how concepts surrounding sequences and series are utilized in real life scenarios. I think students will be surprised to learn how some of those pesky word problems are actually sequence and series problems. It is my intention that when this chapter is finished, students will be able to understand and conquer those pesky problems experiencing a sense of empowerment in their achievements.