A sequence is a set of terms, in a

definite order, where the terms are

obtained by some rule.
A finite sequence ends after a
certain number of terms.
An infinite sequence is one that
continues indefinitely.
For example: 1, 3, 5, 7,
(This is a sequence of odd numbers)
1st term = 2 x 1 1 = 1
2nd term = 2 x 2 1 = 3
3rd term = 2 x 3 1 = 5
nth term = 2 x n 1 = 2n - 1
. .
. .
. .
+ 2
+ 2
NOTATION
1st term = u
2nd term = u
3rd term = u
nth term = u
. .
. .
. .
1
2
3
n
OR
1st term = u
2nd term = u
3rd term = u
nth term = u
. .
. .
. .
0
1
2
n-1
FINDING
THE FORMULA FOR
THE TERMS OF
A SEQUENCE
A recurrence relation defines the
first term(s) in the sequence and the
relation between successive terms.
u = 5
u = u +3 = 8
u = u +3 = 11
u = u +3 = 3n + 2
.
.
.
1
2
3
n+1
For example:
5, 8, 11, 14,
1
2
n
What to look for
when looking for the rule
defining a sequence
Constant difference: coefficient of n is the difference
2
nd
level difference: compare with square numbers
(n = 1, 4, 9, 16, )
3
rd
level difference: compare with cube numbers
(n = 1, 8, 27, 64, )
None of these helpful: look for powers of numbers
(2 = 1, 2, 4, 8, )
Signs alternate: use (-1) and (-1)

-1 when k is odd +1 when k is even
k k
2
3
n - 1
EXAMPLE:
Find the next three terms in the sequence 5, 8, 11, 14,
EXAMPLE:

The nth term of a sequence is given by x =

a) Find the first four terms of the sequence.

b) Which term in the sequence is ?

c) Express the sequence as a recurrence relation.
1
__
2
n
n
1
1024
____
EXAMPLE:
Find the nth term of the sequence +1, -4, +9, -16, +25,
EXAMPLE:
A sequence is defined by a recurrence relation of the form:
M = aM + b.
Given that M = 10, M = 20, M = 24, find the value of a and the
value of b and hence find M .
n + 1
1 3 2
4
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