Final answer:
The rare earth elements include the lanthanide series and the actinide series. Lanthanum and actinium, although they have electron configurations that place them in the transition series, are included in the lanthanide and actinide series respectively due to their similarities to the other members of the series.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rare earth elements include the lanthanide series and the actinide series.
The lanthanide series consists of the elements Ce through Lu, and the actinide series consists of the elements Th through Lr.
Lanthanum and actinium, although they have electron configurations that place them in the transition series, are included in the lanthanide and actinide series respectively due to their similarities to the other members of the series.
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