Sequences

Topic ID: 11.M.19 Sequences

Key Points 2

Questions 4

Answers 6
 2

Key Points
Mathematical sequences are all about finding an absolutely consistent pattern throughout. If
it’s not consistent all the way throughout the entire pattern then it’s not the right pattern. The
best method that I’ve found is to find the difference between the numbers (subtract the
numbers).

Here are two formats that work for me when finding the differences. Finding the difference
tends to make the pattern easier to find. Here’s an example of a more difficult pattern you
might find on the test:

First and second differences

A simple pattern can be written like:

5 14 41 122

Difference between the numbers

5 -

14 9

41 27

122 81

Students should also be able to recognize square numbers, cubed numbers, repeating
patterns, triangular numbers, and the Fibonacci sequence. Since triangular numbers and the
Fibonacci sequence are less common, here are quick examples of both:
Square Numbers:​ 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36…

Copyright © Sierra Tuition LTD. All rights reserved. It is not legal to distribute this document
without the written consent of Sierra Tuition LTD. ​www.sierratuition.co.uk
 3

Fibonacci sequence:​ 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...

You add the previous two terms of the sequence get the next number. 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5,
3+5=8 etc

Triangular numbers:​ 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21

Triangular numbers are triangular numbers because they make a triangle.

You can get the next numbers in the sequence by adding on the bottom row: +2, +3, +4, +5,
+6, etc.

Finding extended numbers in the sequence

Try out a few of the following sequences out with your student. Show them how to do it on the
first one, work with them on the second one, and have them try the third one on their own.
Then adjust depending on how they’re doing. Have the student write down the rule that they
find for each sequence, and find the next term in the sequence.

6, 10, 14, 18… find the 30th number in the sequence

2, 6, 18, 54… find the 10th number in the sequence

Copyright © Sierra Tuition LTD. All rights reserved. It is not legal to distribute this document
without the written consent of Sierra Tuition LTD. ​www.sierratuition.co.uk
 4

Questions
Please give the next term in the sequence.
1) 4, 9, 14, 19, 24…

2) 2, 4, 8, 16, 32…

3) 1, 3, 6, 10, 15…

4) 4, 12, 36, 108…

5) 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…

6) 85, 82, 79, 76, 73...

7) 53, 51, 49, 47,45…

8) 256, 128, 64, 32, 16...

9) 23, 26, 21, 24, 19, 22, 17...

10) 6, 12, 18, 24...

Copyright © Sierra Tuition LTD. All rights reserved. It is not legal to distribute this document
without the written consent of Sierra Tuition LTD. ​www.sierratuition.co.uk
 5

11) Rocky has a magic bean plant that is 2 cm tall. It doubles in height every day. On what day
does it become taller than 1 m?

12) If the sequence starts with 52 and continues 48, 44, 40… how many terms are there until
there is a negative number?

Copyright © Sierra Tuition LTD. All rights reserved. It is not legal to distribute this document
without the written consent of Sierra Tuition LTD. ​www.sierratuition.co.uk
 6

Answers

1. 29
2. 64
3. 21
4. 324
5. 34
6. 70
7. 43
8. 8
9. 20
10. 30
11. 6 days
12. 14

Copyright © Sierra Tuition LTD. All rights reserved. It is not legal to distribute this document
without the written consent of Sierra Tuition LTD. ​www.sierratuition.co.uk