Republic of the Philippines

Bicol University
College of Education
Daraga, Albay

MATHEMATICAL
INVESTIGATION
(The S & N of the Sequence)

Submitted by:

DIVINE PEARL F. ROSARIO

BSED 4S

Submitted to:

CEASAR TAYAM
Professor
The Title “S&N of the sequence” is not found on internet. The

content itself will tell you why the author entitled this study as

“S&N of the sequence”. Explore how the author made the

skirmishing part, and then arrive into a general formula. I hope

you will learn something. Thank you.

DIVINE PEARL FLORES ROSARIO

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A mathematical investigation such as this is never the work of anyone alone. The
different contributions made by many different individuals are to be gratefully
acknowledged as I complete and accomplished this paper and continue on my journey as
an educator.

I would like to first and foremost express my deepest gratitude to Sir Ceasar
Tayam, my Professor. Not only was he is an inspiring as an educator, he also extended
his full support in to us. Without your expertise, understanding, patience, sense of humor
and positive attitude, I would not have been able to get through this. I learned a lot
from you Sir, Thank you po!

To my classmates, thank you for helping pursue my study. Don’t worry guys and
gals, makaka graduate tayo.

To my Babes, Ela, Jenevieve, Angelica Mae, Wenly, and ate Ediza; thank you for
always being there for me. For always reminding and motivating me that I can do it.
Cheers and more food to eat babes.

To my childhood friend, Ann Mae, I know you are not here beside me but thank
you for always cheering me up in times that I felt so down. Thank you for always
sending your hugs from Cataingan to Legazpi just to make me feel better and motivated.

To my family for being patient with and supportive of me during this process
even when I’m far away home. Your prayers, unconditional love, support, endless
encouragement, patience and understanding, and your confidence in me, has allowed me
to persevere and pursue my dreams and goals. I cannot imagine having come this far
without you. Thank you!

Lastly, to our Almighty God, thank you for never forsaken me. I know that your
plans are better than mine. Thank you for your light that serves as guidance in me. Thank
you for always being with me.
 INTRODUCTION

Mathematics may be described as the fundamental science. It is that branch of

science that uses numbers and symbols. It also can be all about pattern and structure; it is
about logical analysis, deduction, calculation within these patterns and structures.
Everyone agrees that learning math can be difficult, but some people believe math is
important and some people believe math is not important. The truth about studying
Mathematics is that it is interesting, challenging yet enjoyable.

Many mathematicians formulated their own formula through studying in one

specific task, object or topic. But in this subject which is Mathematical Investigation, I can
be like Newton, Archimedes, Pascal, Gauss and many more mathematicians because the
uniqueness and beauty of math will be tested. I can also develop my own formula not
like as the formulas of the Mathematicians mentioned above or not a formula that
already existed but my own formula.

During the making of my Mathematical Investigation, I first thought of making

about Geometry focus on Triangles. But as my skirmishing went by, I observed that there
is no pattern at all. There are many counter examples that formed in my first study. And
it came to a point that I badly needed to change my study. So, my study now is all about
the sum of the given sequence and finding what is the nth term of the sequence. I tried to
do some skirmishing to see or study if there are possible patterns that will be encounter,
and then I ended up with the skirmish like this (look at the skirmishing part).

How was my study done? Based on the definition of sequence, it is a list of

elements with a particular order. The sequence is about arrangement of objects, people,
tasks, grocery items, books, movies, or numbers, which has an 'order' associated with it.
My study is about finding the sum of the given sequence and finding what is the nth term
of the sequence. Actually, the given sequence is a fraction. So, it is difficult to find
possible patterns on it. What I actually do is that I only focus in finding pattern in the
denominator of the number or fraction because in the first place I need to know what
sequence I should need to add or what the sequence that I should find the sum are. As
my skirmishing went by, I decided to find the sum of the sequence and to find what nth
term of the sequence is. I know it’s a bit complicated because it is a fraction but I know I
can do it. Thus, look at on how I made this study possible.
Given the sequence:
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1
, = , 19(𝟏𝟗+𝟔) = 19(𝟐𝟓)
7(13) 13(𝟏𝟑+𝟔) 13(𝟏𝟗)

1 1 1 1 1
, = , 31(𝟑𝟏+𝟔) = 31(𝟑𝟕)
19(25) 25(𝟐𝟓+𝟔) 25(𝟑𝟏)

1 1 1 1 1
, = , 43(𝟒𝟑+𝟔) = 43(𝟒𝟗)
31(𝟑𝟕) 37(𝟑𝟕+𝟔) 37(𝟒𝟑)

1 1 1 1 1
, = , 55(𝟓𝟓+𝟔) = 55(𝟔𝟏)
43(𝟒𝟗) 49(𝟒𝟗+𝟔) 49(𝟓𝟓)

1 1 1 1 1
, = ,…, =
55(𝟔𝟏) 61(𝟔𝟏+𝟔) 61(𝟔𝟕) n(𝐧+𝐤) n(𝐤)

1
Let be the form of the sequence. Through observation, I can see that n is the first
n(𝐤)

number of the pair in the number of the sequence and k is the second number in the first
number of the sequence. And as I can see that there is a difference in the denominator of
the first number (7 and 13) which is six (6). In order to determine what number should
be followed in the sequence, the second number in the denominator of the first number
1 1
like this (the number that highlighted), should be remain the same . And to be
7(𝟏𝟑) 13(?)

able to know the number next to it or the number that be multiply in the denominator
 1 1
just add six to 13. Like this, now the second number in the sequence is [ ].
13(𝟏𝟑+𝟔) 13(19)

Therefore, in order to determine the next number in the sequence, the numbers in the
denominator should follow this process. That the second number in the denominator of
the previous number should remain the same and to know what number should be
multiply or the number next to it just add six.

For example:
1 1 1 1 1
, = , 19(𝟏𝟗+𝟔) = 19(𝟐𝟓)
7(13) 13(𝟏𝟑+𝟔) 13(𝟏𝟗)

NOTE:
In this observation, it only shows the
method or technique on how to get
the numbers of the sequence that
should be added all in all to get the
sum of the sequence.

See that the number 13 is still in the second number

of the sequence. And I only add 6 to 13 to get the
second number.
Skirmishing in finding the sum of the sequence:

Given the sequence find the sum:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

First add the sequence from 1 to 2

1 1
= +
7(13) 13(19)

1 1
= +
91 247

𝟐
=
𝟏𝟑𝟑

Add a sequence from 1 to 3

1 1 1
= + +
7(13) 13(19) 19(25)

1 1 1
= + +
91 247 475

𝟑
=
𝟏𝟕𝟓

Add a sequence from 1 to 4

1 1 1 1
= + + +
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31)

1 1 1 1
= + + +
91 247 475 775

𝟒
=
𝟐𝟏𝟕

Add a sequence from 1 to 5

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + +
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37)

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147

𝟓
=
𝟐𝟓𝟗

Add a sequence from 1 to 6

 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + +
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43)

1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591

𝟔
=
𝟑𝟎𝟏

Add a sequence from 1 to 7

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107

𝟕
=
𝟑𝟒𝟑

Add a sequence from 1 to 8

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695

𝟖
=
𝟑𝟖𝟓

Add a sequence from 1 to 9

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355

𝟗
=
𝟒𝟐𝟕

Add a sequence from 1 to 10

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087

𝟏𝟎
=
𝟒𝟔𝟗
Add a sequence from 1 to 11
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) 67(73)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + + + + + + +
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087 4891

𝟏𝟏
=
𝟓𝟏𝟏

.
1 1 1 1 1 1
= , , , , ,….
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + ,…+
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1 1
= + + + + …+
91 247 475 775 1147 n(k)

Using the sum of the sequences:

𝟐 𝟑 𝟒 𝟓 𝟔 𝟕 𝟖 𝟗 𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟏
, , , , , , , , ,
𝟏𝟑𝟑 𝟏𝟕𝟓 𝟐𝟏𝟕 𝟐𝟓𝟗 𝟑𝟎𝟏 𝟑𝟒𝟑 𝟑𝟖𝟓 𝟒𝟐𝟕 𝟒𝟔𝟗 𝟓𝟏𝟏
In my observation, I can say that in every sum of the sequence, like if I add
2 3
from 1 to 2 the result is , then if I add from 1 to 3 the sum will be ,
133 175
4
next if I also add the sequence from 1 to 4 the sum will be , and lastly if
217
5
the sequence from 1 to 5 is added the sum will be . By observing the
259

sum of every sequence that added I will say that the sum or total shows that
it only add 1 in the numerator of the previous number and it only adds 42
in the denominator of the sequence, so on and so forth. Look the solution
below.

𝟐 2+1 𝟑 3+1 𝟒 4+1 𝟓

= = =
𝟏𝟑𝟑 133+42 𝟏𝟕𝟓 175+42 𝟐𝟏𝟕 217+42 𝟐𝟓𝟗
Skirmishing in finding the nth term of the
sequence:

Trial Number One

Given the sequence: Find its difference

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , ,
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67)

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
1729 6175 14725 28675 49321 77959 115885 164395 224785

NOTE: The next difference will be in a scientific

216 216 216 notation. The result become smaller and smaller and it
43225 191425 544825 does not have common differences.

Another Method: Trial Number Two

RESTRICTION: In this case, I will use only the denominator of the sequence in order to
get possible patterns or common difference.
Given the sequence
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , ,
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087
These are the numbers in the denominator:
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087

156 228 300 372 444 516 588 660 732

72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
x 1 2 3 4 5
Sx a+b+c 4a+2b+c 9a+3b+c 16a+4b+c 25a+5b+c

3a+b 5a+b 7a+b 9a+b

2a 2a 2a
Since, the given sequence is a fraction, the next step I’ll will is that I only change or
transform the difference I get into fraction form.

1 1 1
, ,
72 156 91
1 1 1
2a= 3a+b = 156 a+b+c =
72 91
1 1 1 1 3 1
a= 3(144)+b = 156 − 208 + c =
144 144 91
1 1 7 1
+b= − 936 + c = 91
48 156
1 1 1 7
b = − c= + 936
156 48 91
3 23
b = − c=
208 6552

1 2 3 23
𝑥 − 𝑥+
144 208 6552
Checking the derived formula:
1
Find its 3th term which is NOTE: Therefore, the derived
475
formula is not yet correct.
1 2 3 23 1
𝑥 − 𝑥 + 6552 = 475
144 208
1 3 23 1
(3)2 − (3) + =
144 208 6552 475
149 1
≠
6552 475
Given the sequence:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

By observing the term can be expressed as

1
(6n + 1)(6n + 7)

Series Analysis by Partial Fraction

∞
1
S= ∑
(6n + 1)(6n + 7)
n=1

By Partial Fraction

1 A B
(6n+1)(6n+7) [ = + ] (6n+1)(6n+7)
(6n+1)(6n+7) (6n+1) (6n+7)

1 = A(6n+7)+ B(6n+1)

Hence, I have possible values for n

7 1
n= − and n= −
6 6
7
n= − 6

1= A (6n+7) + B (6n+1)

7 7
1= A[6 (− 6 ) + 7] + B [6 (− 6 ) + 1 ]

1= A (0) + B (- 6)

1
−6 = B

1
n= −
6

1= A (6n+7) + B (6n+1)

1 1
1= A[6 (− 6 ) + 7] + B [6 (− 6 ) + 1 ]

1= A (6) + B (0)
 1
=A
6

Going back to

1 A B
[ = + ]
(6n + 1)(6n + 7) (6n + 1) (6n + 7)
1 1
(−6)
= 6
(6n+1)
+
(6n+7)

1 1
= −
6(6n+1) 6(6n+7)

By method of difference, let n= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 …k

Thus:

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

n= 1

1 1
= −
6(6n+1) 6(6n+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(1)+1) 6(6(1)+7)

1 1
= −
6(7) 6(13)

n= 2

1 1
= −
6(6n+1) 6(6n+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(2)+1) 6(6(2)+7)

1 1
= −
6(13) 6(19)

n= 3

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(3)+1) 6(6(3)+7)
 1 1
= −
6(19) 6(25)

n= 4

1 1
= −
6(6n+1) 6(6n+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(4)+1) 6(6(4)+7)

1 1
= −
6(25) 6(31)

n= 5

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(5)+1) 6(6(5)+7)

1 1
= −
6(31) 6(37)

n= 6

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(6)+1) 6(6(6)+7)

1 1
= −
6(37) 6(43)

n= 7

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(7)+1) 6(6(7)+7)

1 1
= −
6(43) 6(49)

n= 8

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)
 1 1
= −
6(6(8)+1) 6(6(8)+7)

1 1
= −
6(48) 6(55)

n= 9

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(9)+1) 6(6(9)+7)

1 1
= −
6(55) 6(61)

n= 10

1 1
= −
6(6𝑛+1) 6(6𝑛+7)

1 1
= −
6(6(10)+1) 6(6(10)+7)

1 1
= −
6(61) 6(67)

By using the results in the given possible value of n, find the sum of it:

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
= 6(7) − 6(13) + − 6(19) + − 6(25) + − 6(31) + 6(31) − 6(37) … − 6(6n+7)
6(13) 6(19) 6(25) 6(6n+1)

1 1
= −
6(7) 6(6n+7)

6n+7−7
=
6(7)(6n+7)

6n
=
42(6n+7)

n
=
7(6n+7)

Thus:

n
S=
7(6𝑛 + 7)
 RESTRICTION: In this case, I will use only
the denominator of the sequence in order to
get possible patterns or common difference.

Given the sequence

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , , , …
7(13) 13(19) 19(25) 25(31) 31(37) 37(43) 43(49) 49(55) 55(61) 61(67) n(k)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
, , , , , , , , ,
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087
These are the numbers in the denominator:
91 247 475 775 1147 1591 2107 2695 3355 4087

156 228 300 372 444 516 588 660 732

72 72 72 72 72 72 72 72
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
x 1 2 3 4 5
Sx a+b+c 4a+2b+c 9a+3b+c 16a+4b+c 25a+5b+c

3a+b 5a+b 7a+b 9a+b

2a 2a 2a

After using the finite difference method in order to find its difference, the next step I’ll
going to do is, letting the difference (the one that inside the box) be in fraction form.
Like this in order to find its corresponding value.
1 1 1 1 1 1
, , And , ,
72 156, 91 2a 3a+b a+b+c
1 1 1 1 1 1
= = =
2a 72 3a+b 156 a+b+c 91
2a= 72 3a+b = 156 a+b+c = 91
72
a= 2 3(36)+b=156 36 + 48 + c= 91

a=36 108 + b =156 84+ c =91

b = 156 – 108 c = 91 – 84
b = 48 c=7
NOTE: After getting the formula, go look back to the given sequence. As
you can see, the given sequence is a fraction. Since I only use the 36𝑥 2 + 48𝑥 + 7
denominator to find its common difference, let the derived formula be
substitute or written in the denominator. Thus, the derived formula
must me written in this form.
1
Sx = 2 36𝑥 + 48𝑥 + 7
Checking the derived formula: Sx =
1
36(64)+384+7
Using the derived formula to 1
find the 6th term Sx =
2304+384+7
1
x=6 Sx =
2695
1
Sx =
36𝑥2 +48𝑥+7 Using the derived formula to
1 find the 10th term
Sx = 2
36(6) +48(6)+7 x = 10
1 1
Sx = Sx =
36(36)+288+7 36𝑥2 +48𝑥+7
1 1
Sx = Sx =
1296+288+7 2
36(10) +48(10)+7
1
Sx = Sx =
1
1591
36(100)+480+7
Using the derived formula to 1
find the 8th term Sx =
3600+384+7
1
x=8 Sx =
4087
1
Sx =
36𝑥2 +48𝑥+7
1
Sx = 2
36(8) +48(8)+7
Observation:
1. I can say that if how many sequences are added it shows in the result in the
𝟓
numerator. For example, if 5 sequences are added the result is , and I can
𝟐𝟓𝟗
only add 42 the denominator from the previous sum of the sequence. But
reminder that it only varies if you already know what is the previous sum of
the sequence.
2. I can say that if you will change the common difference into fraction form, I
need to do the both. The difference from the denominator of the sequence
and the difference from the finite method.
3.