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Chapter overview
Learning goals
Learning Goals
Maths
Types of numbers
Number calculations
Fractions, decimals and percentages
Algebraic manipulation
Formulae and equations
Straight line graphs
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Ratio
Proportion
Rates of change
Shapes
Properties of shapes
Lines and angles
Drawing shapes
Trigonometry
Probability
Maths
Summary
Sequences defined using an nth term formula help us find the sequence from the position of the terms in the sequence. The nth term method is more useful, as if we want to find the 100th term, it is not necessary to find any of the previous terms.
The nth term formula can be used to generate a sequence. Start by substituting n=1 into the formula to find the first term. Then substitute n=2 for the second term, n=3 for the third term and so on.
NTH TERM FORMULA | SEQUENCE |
---|---|
nthterm=4n+4 | 8,12,16,20,24 |
nthterm=8−6n | 2,−4,−10,−16,−22 |
nthterm=n2+2 | 3,6,11,18,27 |
An arithmetic sequence is one where the differences between adjacent terms are always the same. The term-to-term rule would be to + or − the same number each time.
It is possible to find the nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence.
Find the nth term formula for the sequence 2,5,8,11.
Answer
Start by putting the sequence, and their positions n into a table. Work out the difference each time, in this case the difference is 3, so add another row in the table for 3n. Then think about how to get from 3n to the sequence, in this case each term in our sequence is 1 less than the 3n row, so the formula is nth term=3n−1.
n (the position of each term) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
nth term (the sequence) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 |
the difference is 3 so use 3n | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
each term is 1 less than 3n, so use 3n−1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 |
nth term=3n−1
Note: Always check the formula, by substituting values for n to see if it works.
Sequences defined using an nth term formula help us find the sequence from the position of the terms in the sequence. The nth term method is more useful, as if we want to find the 100th term, it is not necessary to find any of the previous terms.
The nth term formula can be used to generate a sequence. Start by substituting n=1 into the formula to find the first term. Then substitute n=2 for the second term, n=3 for the third term and so on.
NTH TERM FORMULA | SEQUENCE |
---|---|
nthterm=4n+4 | 8,12,16,20,24 |
nthterm=8−6n | 2,−4,−10,−16,−22 |
nthterm=n2+2 | 3,6,11,18,27 |
An arithmetic sequence is one where the differences between adjacent terms are always the same. The term-to-term rule would be to + or − the same number each time.
It is possible to find the nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence.
Find the nth term formula for the sequence 2,5,8,11.
Answer
Start by putting the sequence, and their positions n into a table. Work out the difference each time, in this case the difference is 3, so add another row in the table for 3n. Then think about how to get from 3n to the sequence, in this case each term in our sequence is 1 less than the 3n row, so the formula is nth term=3n−1.
n (the position of each term) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
nth term (the sequence) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 |
the difference is 3 so use 3n | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
each term is 1 less than 3n, so use 3n−1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 11 |
nth term=3n−1
Note: Always check the formula, by substituting values for n to see if it works.
FAQs
Question: How do you find the nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence?
Answer: Start by finding the difference between term, this is the number that goes with n. For example, if the difference is +3, then use 3n. Then either add or subtract a constant until it matches the sequence.
Question: Is nth term better than term-to-term rule?
Answer: The nth term method of defining a sequence can be more useful than the term-to-term rule, as it does not rely on finding any other previous terms in the sequence.
Question: What is an nth term formula?
Answer: An nth term formula is a way of defining a sequence. The 'n' stands for the position of the term in the sequence. We can substitute different values of n to find the term.
Theory
Exercises
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