Chapter 17 – NUMBER SEQUENCES

Types of sequences

Find the nth term

1. Check if the sequence is geometric
Thử chia mỗi term với term đứng trước chúng
Xem xem kết quả có giống nhau không
Nếu có thì đó là geometric sequence, và áp dụng nth term rule ở trên
2. Check if the sequence is linear, quadratic, or cubic
Take the differences of the terms
If the differences are the same, it is a linear sequence

OR
If the differences aren’t the same, continue finding the differences of the new sequence

If NOW, the differences are the same, it is a quadratic sequence

Otherwise, continue finding the differences, then you’ll find that it is a cubic sequence
3. Create the formula
 If it is linear, the formula is
an+ b
a is the difference
b=first term−a
 If it is quadratic, the formula is
2
a n +bn+ c
Substitute this formula in the first 3 terms you get

Take the differences of this formula sequence, you get

Do a comparison with the differences in the number sequence, find a , b , and c

 If it is cubic, the formula is
3 2
a n + b n + cn+d
Substitute this formula in the first 4 terms, you get

Take the differences of this formula sequence, you get

Do a comparison with the differences in the number sequences, find a , b , c , and d

 Sequences – Worked example
Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4
Q5

Q6
 Sequences – Exam style questions
Q1

Q2
Q3

Q4

Q5
Q6

Q7

Q8

Q9
Q10

Q11

Q12
Q13

Q14
Q15
Q16