Prepare a table with Take the first

the term # and the

term of a sequence.
differences.

Substitute the Form two

value of a and b equations of the
to an + b = an. form an + b = An.

Subtract
Equation 1 from
Equation 2.
Example Find the general term of:
7, 11, 15, 19, 23,…

n 1 2 3 4 5
Prepare a table with
the term # and the
an 7 11 15 19 23 term of a sequence.
Example Find the general term of:
7, 11, 15, 19, 23,…

Use the form an + b = an

Get the first term: Get the second term:

a(1) + b = 7 a(2) + b = 11

a+b=7 Equation 1 2a + b = 11 Equation 2

Example Find the general term of:
7, 11, 15, 19, 23,…

2a + b = 11
- Subtract
Equation 1 from
a+b=7 Equation 2.

a=4
Example Find the general term of:
7, 11, 15, 19, 23,…

Solve for b:

a+b=7
4+b=7
b=7–4
b=3
Example Find the general term of:
7, 11, 15, 19, 23,…

A = 4 and b + 3 Substitute the

value of a and b
An + b = an to an + b = an.

4n + 3 = an
ANSWER: 6n – 5/2 = an
 Answer the following:

Find the general term of :

1. 3, 7, 11, 15, …
2. -2, -5, -8, -11, …
3. 2, 6, 10, 14, …
4. 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, 11/2, …
5. 5, 11, 17, 23, …
 Answers:

1. 4n – 1 = an
2. -3n + 1 = an
3. 4n – 2 = an
4. n + 3/2 = an
5. 6n – 1 = an
 Form 3 equations Subtract
of the form: Equation 1 from
an2 + bn + c = an Equation 2.

Subtract Subtract
Equation 2 from Equation 1 from
Equation 3. Equation 2.
Subtract
Equation 4 from
Equation 5.
Substitute the values
of a, b and c to the
equation:
an2 + bn + c = an
Solve for b by
substituting a to
equation 4. Solve for c by
substituting a
and b to
equation 1.
 Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

Form equation 1: Form equation 2: Form equation 3:

an2 + bn + c = an an2 + bn + c = an an2 + bn + c = an
A(1)2 + b(1) + c = 1 A(2)2 + b(2) + c = 5 A(3)2 + b(3) + c = 12

a+b+c=1 4a +2 b + c = 5 9a + 3b + c = 12

EQUATION 1 EQUATION 2 EQUATION 3

 Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

4a +2 b + c = 5
Subtract
a+b+c=1 Equation 1 from
Equation 2.

3a + b = 4 Equation 4
 Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

9a + 3b + c = 12
Subtract
Equation 2 from
4a +2 b + c = 5 Equation 3.

5a +b = 7 Equation 5
Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

5a + b = 7
Subtract
Equation 4 from
3a + b = 4 Equation 5.

2a = 3

a = 3/2
Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

Substitute a = 3/2 to equation 4.

3a + b = 4
3 (3/2) + b = 4
9/2 + b = 4
B = 8/2 – 9/2

B = -1/2
 Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

Substitute the values of a and b to equation 1:

a+b+c=1
3/2 + (-1/2) + c = 1
1+c=1
C=1–1

C=0
 Find the general term of:
1, 5, 12, 22,35, …

Substitute the value of a, b and c to the form:

an2 + bn + c = an
(3/2) n2 – (1/2) n + (0) = an

3/2 n2 – ½ n = an
 Find the general term of:
2,6,12,20,30, …

Answer: n2 + n = an