Linear and Exponential Recursion Modeling Task

Name:______________________________

Date:____________

So far we have talked how to find the explicit and recursive formulas for arithmetic and
geometric sequences. However, we have not really went into detail about the connection between
an arithmetic sequence and linear recursion or about the connection between a geometric
sequence and exponential recursion.
1. Use the following explicit formula of an arithmetic sequence in problems a c.
an 2 n 1
a. Create a sequence of at least the first 5 terms.
Term Number
Term Value

b. Plot those points on the graph with the term number as the x-coordinate and the term
value as the y-coordinate.

c. Based off of a and b, explain a possible connection between arithmetic sequences and
linear recursion.

2. Use the following explicit formula of an arithmetic sequence in problems a c.

1 n 1
2
2
a. Create a sequence of at least the first 5 terms.
an

Term Number
Term Value

b. Plot as many of those points on the graph with the term number as the x-coordinate and
the term value as the y-coordinate.

c. Based off of a and b, explain a possible connection between geometric sequences and
exponential recursion.

3. How do you think the explicit formulas for the arithmetic and geometric sequences
compare to the functions that represent the graphs created by plotting a sequence like you
did in problems 1 and 2?
4. How do the domain and range for the explicit formulas of the sequences compare to the
domain and range of the functions for the graphs that you created?