3 Is the sequence linear or non-linear?
Linear and non-linear sequences
a) 3, 9, 15, 21 . . .
b) 1, 3, 6, 10 . . .
1 Tick the diagrams that show linear sequences.
a) c) 81, 72, 63 . . .
d) 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5 . . .
b)
2 1
e) 3, 3 3 , 4 3 , 5 . . .
c)
f) 7, 5, 3, 1, 0 . . .
d)
4
This sequence
is linear as there is a
constant difference of 5
2 Fill in the gaps to describe how each sequence is increasing. between terms.
a) 7 10 13 16
0, 5, 10, 15, 10, 5, 0, 5, 10, 15, 10, 5, 0 . . .
+ + +
Is Tommy correct? Explain how you know.
Is the sequence linear or non-linear? Explain how you know.
b)
7 10 15 20
5 Write a number for the 3rd term to make the sequence:
+ + + a) linear b) non-linear
Is the sequence linear or non-linear? Explain how you know. Position 1 2 3 Position 1 2 3
Term 9 18 Term 9 18
© White Rose Maths 2019
6 a) Tick the tables that show linear sequences. 7 A sequence starts with the terms 4, 8 . . .
Position 1 2 3 4 5
The sequence is
linear as it is going
Term 20 17 14 11 8 up by 4
Position 1 2 3 4
It is impossible to
Term 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6
Position 1 2 3 4 5 tell if the sequence is
linear or non-linear.
Term 2 6 12 20 30 Amir
b) Tick the graphs that show linear sequences.
Alex
Who is correct? Explain how you know.
24
21
18
Value of term
20 15
18 12
16 9 8 a) Write a linear sequence where the 1st term is 75 and the 2nd term
14 6 is 225
Value of term
12 3
10 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
Position
6
4
42
2 b) Write a non-linear sequence where the 1st term is 75 and the 2nd term
Value of term
35 is 225
0
0 1 2 3 4
28
Position
21
14
7
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Compare sequences with a partner. Is it possible to come up with more
Position than one sequence for each type? Why?
Explain your answers. Predict the 5th term in each of your sequences.
© White Rose Maths 2019
