SEQUENCE

A set of numbers
arranged in order, according
to a rule.
INFINITE SEQUENCE

A sequence that has no end.

Three dots written at the end
of a sequence to show that the
sequence continues for ever.
FINITE SEQUENCE

A sequence that has an

end. Doesn't have three
dots at the end, it doesn't
continue for ever.
LINEAR SEQUENCE
ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE

A sequence of numbers in
which the difference between
consecutive terms is the same.
Non-linear sequence – the terms increase(or
decrease) by different amount each time.
TERM

An individual number in a
sequence.
CONSECUTIVE TERMS

Terms next to one another in

a sequence.
TERM-TO-TERM RULE

A rule to find a term of a

sequence, given the previous
term.
nth TERM
The general term of a
sequence; using algebra to write
the position-to-term rule, where n
represents the position number
of the term.
VOCABULARY
• 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ... is a sequence of numbers.
• 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ... is an infinite sequence.
• 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 is a finite sequence.
• The first term is 3, the second term is 6 and so on.
• 3 and 6 are consecutive terms, 6 and 9 are consecutive
terms and so on.
• Each term is 3 more than the term before, so the term-to-
term rule is: ‘Add 3.’
• The position-to-term rule for this sequence is
term = 3 x position number
• 3n is the nth term of the sequence.
 > A famous mathematician called Leonardo Pisano was born
around 1170, in Pisa in Italy. Later, he was known as Fibonacci.
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

> Fibonacci wrote several books. In one of them, he included a

number pattern that he discovered in 1202. The number
pattern was named after him.
> 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 ... ... Can you see the pattern?
To find the next number in the pattern, you add the previous
two numbers.
> The numbers in the Fibonacci
sequence are called the Fibonacci
numbers.

> The Fibonacci numbers often appear in nature.

For example, the numbers of petals on flowers are
often Fibonacci numbers.
> The numbers of spirals in seed heads or
pinecones are often Fibonacci numbers, as well.
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences
 Write down whether each sequence is linear or non-linear.
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

Explain your answers.

linear, term-to-term rule ‘add 4’
non-linear, term-to-term rule ‘subtract 2, subtract 3, subtract 4, subtract 5, ...’
linear, term-to-term rule ‘add 0.5’
linear, term-to-term rule ‘add 10’
linear, term-to-term rule ‘subtract 5’
non-linear, term-to-term rule ‘add 2, add 4, add 8, add 16, ...’

non-linear, term-to-term rule ‘add 1, add 2, add 3, add 4, ...’

non-linear, term-to-term rule ‘subtract 3, subtract 6, subtract 9, subtract 12, ...’
linear, term-to-term rule ‘subtract 8’
 Draw a line connecting the sequence on the left with the first term in the middle,
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

then with the term-to-term rule on the right. The first one has been done for you.
 Draw a line connecting the sequence on the left with the first term in the middle,
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

then with the term-to-term rule on the right. The first one has been done for you.
 Given: 3, 6, 9, 12, ...
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

i. Write down the term-to-term rule.

ii. Work
ADDout3 the position-to-term rule.
ii. Work out the position-to-term rule.

Position-to-term rule is:

term = 3 × position number
 Given: 5, 9, 13, 17, ...
Generating terms and finding rules of sequences

i. Write down the term-to-term rule.

ii. Work
ADDout4 the position-to-term rule.
ii. Work out the position-to-term rule.

Position-to-term rule is:

term = 4 × position number + 1.
Finding the nth TERM
Given: 8, 11, 14, 17, ...
**term-to-term rule. ADD 3
**position-to-term rule. term=3 × position number + 5

nth term =3 × n +5
nth term = 3n + 5
Finding the nth TERM
Work out the expression for the nth term of
8, 11, 14, 17, ...
n 1 2 3 4
terms 8 11 14 17
3n 3 6 9 12
3n + 5 8 11 14 17
nth term = 3n + 5