7 differences between sequence and series

Series and sequence are the two important things that deal with the list of elements. They are used in recognition of the patterns like identifying patterns of prime numbers, situations like profits-loss, solving the puzzle, predicting outcomes, etc. Series plays an important role in the differential equations and in the analysis process. Here we discuss the 7 differences between sequence and series.

difference between sequence and series
Difference between sequence and series (The code in DNA and the piano keys are arranged in a specific order.)

Difference between sequence and series

  Sequence  Series
It relates to the organization of terms in the particular orderIt is the summation of elements of the sequence.
Ordering of an element is the most importantThe order of elements does not matter.
They follow a specific patternIt is a sum of elements in the sequence
Example:1,2,4,6,…..n Example:1+2+3+4+….n is series.
Order of the sequence matters.But in series 1+2+3 is the same as 3+2+1.
They do not possess any symbolThey have + symbol
It has a specific patternThey do not have any specifics

What is a Sequence?

It is the list of the numbers that are arranged in a specific pattern and each number in the sequence is considered the term.

Example:

  • 5,10,15,20 ….is the sequence.(dots in the end represents pattern will continue further).
  • 5 is the first term, 10 is the second term, and so on.
  • Each term in a sequence has a common difference.

The sequence is classified in 

  • Arithmetic 
  • Geometric
  • Harmonic
  • Fibonacci sequence.

What is a series?

Series is the sum of the sequence where an order of elements does not matter. It means the list of numbers with an additional symbol in the between. It is classified as a finite and infinite series that depends on the type of sequence. The finite series has to end but the infinite series is never-ending.

Types of series

  • Geometric
  • Harmonic
  • Power
  • Alternating
  • Exponent

What are some of the real-world examples of sequences?

The sequences of nucleotide bases in DNA, the keys of a piano, etc.

What are some of the real-world examples of series?

Any list of numbers with a pattern like an arithmetic progression, geometric progression, etc.

See Also