Scribd
Upload
2 views

2.5 Linear Sequences

The document discusses term-to-term and position-to-term rules for generating sequences, highlighting the advantages of position-to-term formulas for finding specific terms without generating all previous terms. It explains linear sequences, also known as arithmetic sequences, where the difference between terms is constant. Additionally, it provides examples of finding specific terms in sequences and determining if a number belongs to a sequence using given formulas.

Uploaded by

safrontamuri9
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

2.5 Linear Sequences

The document discusses term-to-term and position-to-term rules for generating sequences, highlighting the advantages of position-to-term formulas for finding specific terms without generating all previous terms. It explains linear sequences, also known as arithmetic sequences, where the difference between terms is constant. Additionally, it provides examples of finding specific terms in sequences and determining if a number belongs to a sequence using given formulas.

Uploaded by

safrontamuri9
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Term-to-term rules

Some sequences we can generated by stating a rule to say how


to generate the next term given the previous term(s).

Description First 5 terms


The first term of a sequence is 1. 1, 4, 7, 10, 13
+3 to each term to get the next. ?
The first term of a sequence is 3. 3, 6, 12, 24, 48
to each term to get the next. ?
The first two terms are 0 and 1. 0, 1, 1, 2, 3
Add the last two terms to get the next. ?
(known as the Fibonacci sequence)

What might be the disadvantage of using a term-to-term rule?


To get a particular term in the sequence, we have to generate all the
terms in the sequence before it. This ?
is rather slow if you say want to
know the 1000th term!
Position-to-term :: ‘th term’

It’s sometimes more helpful to be able to generate a term of a


formula based on its position in the sequence.

We could use it to say find the 300th term of a sequence without


having to write all the terms out!

We use to mean the position in the sequence.


So if we want the 3rd term, use .
Position-to-term :: ‘th term’
We use to mean the position in the sequence.
So if we want the 3rd term, use .
(on your sheet):

th
term 1st term 2nd term 3rd term 4th term
So gives the 3
? ? ? ? times table, the
? ? ? ? five times table,
and so on.
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? This formula gives
the triangular
? ? ? ? numbers!
Linear Sequences
What sequence does give?
?
What therefore would give?
?
What do you notice about the difference between terms in this
sequence? The terms go up?by 5 each time.

What therefore do you think would


Sequences where the
be the difference between terms for:
terms go up (or down)
? by the same amount
are called LINEAR
? sequences.
?
?
Finding th term formula for linear sequences

Find the th term of the following sequence:


5, 9, 13, 17, 21 …

4 𝑛+1 ? ?

We saw that the number on If we had as our formula, this


front of the gives us the (first) would give us the 4 times table.
difference between terms. So what ‘correction’ is needed?

Side Note: What other name do we call ‘linear’ sequences?


Arithmetic sequences.
?
More examples
Find the th term of the following sequences (on your sheet):

? ?

? ?

? ?

? ?

? ?

(or ) ? ?
Is a number in the sequence?

Is the number 598 in the sequence with th term ?

Could we obtain 598 using the? formula?

?
.

So yes, 598 is the 200th term in


? the sequence.
Is a number in the sequence?

Is the number 268 in the sequence with th term ?

Try to solve ?
Adding 2 we get 270, and 270?is not divisible by 4.

Therefore, no, 268 is not in this


? sequence.
5n + 7 = 150
?
5n = 143

n =?28.6

So, the first term bigger than 150 is the 29th term.
n = 29  (5 x 29)? + 7 = 152

You might also like