Arithmetic Sequences

Algebra 1 Name:
4.4 Day 1 Notes

The “how many stars” activity is an example of an arithmetic sequence.

common different
These sequences have a _______________________ _____________________ between terms.

An example of an arithmetic sequence:

4, 7, 10, 13, 16, …

3
What is the common difference: _______

192225
What are the next three terms: ______, ______, ______

Notation is very important when we talk about sequences. Let’s label the sequence above.

4, 7, 10, 13, 16, …

44314,5
So, what if we wanted to find the 10th term? 100th? 1000th? We can write the explicit formula to find
these values without listing out all the numbers.

The Explicit Formula

Let’s write the explicit formula for the sequence above. Then, let’s calculate the 100th term (𝑎100)

3 Ntl a ooI3 fP't 301

Another example: 19, 15, 11, 7, …

Write the explicit formula for the sequence:

4723
Find 𝑎34 .

Qzu 143411 23
1361 23
 O
Practice!
Determine whether each sequence is an arithmetic sequence. If yes, state the common difference.

1. 4, 7, 9, 12, …
3 4. -6, -5, -3, -1, …
NO CD
2. 15, 13 ,11, 9, …
2 5. 10, 15, 25, 40, …
NOED
3. -5, -3, -1, 1, …
2 6. -10, -5, 0, 5, …
TS
Find the next three terms of each arithmetic sequence.

19 2327
7. 3, 7, 11, 15, ____, ____, ____
12519 17.5
9. 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, ____, ____, ____

14 17 20
8. -2, -5, -8, -11, ____, ____, ____
20 29 38
10. 16, 7, -2, -11, ____, ____, ____

Write the explicit formula for each arithmetic sequence. Then, find the indicated terms.

11. 7, 13, 19, 25, …

a. Explicit Formula:

6 htt
b. 𝑎34 =
6134 11 2050
64121 1
c. 𝑎112 =

12. 30, 26, 22, 18, …

a. Explicit Formula:

4h34
b. 𝑎40 =
4440134
13. -7, -4, -1, 2, … 3
a. Explicit Formula:

3h 10
b. 𝑎76 =

306 10 2180