The general term for an arithmetic sequence EMCDQ

For a general arithmetic sequence with rst term a and a common difference d, we can
generate the following terms:
T
1
= a
T
2
= T
1
+ d = a + d
T
3
= T
2
+ d = (a + d) + d = a + 2d
T
4
= T
3
+ d = (a + 2d) + d = a + 3d
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
T
n
= T
n1
+ d = (a + (n 2)d) + d = a + (n 1) d
Therefore, the general formula for the n
th
term of an arithmetic sequence is:
T
n
= a + (n 1) d
DEFINITION: Arithmetic sequence
An arithmetic (or linear) sequence is an ordered set of numbers (called terms) in which
each new term is calculated by adding a constant value to the previous term:
T
n
= a + (n 1)d
where
T
n
is the n
th
term;
n is the position of the term in the sequence;
a is the rst term;
d is the common difference.
Test for an arithmetic sequence
To test whether a sequence is an arithmetic sequence or not, check if the difference
between any two consecutive terms is constant:
d = T
2
T
1
= T
3
T
2
= . . . = T
n
T
n1
If this is not true, then the sequence is not an arithmetic sequence.
Worked example 1: Arithmetic sequence
QUESTION
Given the sequence 15; 11; 7; . . . 173.
1. Is this an arithmetic sequence?
2. Find the formula of the general term.
3. Determine the number of terms in the sequence.
5 Chapter 1. Sequences and series