Arithmetic Sequence: Definition and Basic

Examples
An arithmetic sequence is a list of numbers with a definite pattern. If you take any number in
the sequence then subtract it by the previous one, and the result is always the same (or constant);
then it is an arithmetic sequence.

The constant difference in all pairs of consecutive numbers in a sequence is called common
difference, denoted by the letter d. We use the common difference to go from one term to
another. How? Take the current term and add the common difference to get to the next term, and
so on. That is how the terms in the sequence are generated.

If the common difference between consecutive terms is positive, we say that the sequence
is increasing.

On the other hand, when the difference is negative we say that the sequence is decreasing.

Here are two examples of arithmetic sequences:

With this basic idea in mind, you can now solve basic arithmetic sequence problems.

Example 1: Find the next term in the sequence .

First, find the common difference among each pair of consecutive numbers.

157 = 8

2315 = 8

3123 = 8

Since the common difference is 8 or written as d = 8, we can find the next term after 31 by
adding 8 to it. Therefore, we have 31 + 8 = 39.
Example 2: Find the next term in the sequence .

Observe that the sequence is decreasing. We expect to have a common difference that is negative
in value.

2431 = 7

1724 = 7

1017 = 7

To get to the next term, we will add this common difference of d = 7 to the last term in the
sequence. Therefore, 10 + (7) = 3.

Example 3: Find the next three terms in .

Be careful here. Dont assume that if the terms in the sequence are all negative numbers, it is a
decreasing sequence. Remember, it is decreasing whenever the common difference is negative.
So lets find the common difference by taking each term and subtracting it by the term that
comes before it.

The common difference here is positive four (+ 4) which makes this an increasing arithmetic
sequence. We can obtain the next three terms by adding the last term by this common difference.
Whatever is the result, add again by 4, and do it one more time.

Heres the calculation:

The next three terms in the sequence are shown in red.

Example 4: Find the seventh term (7th) in the sequence

Sometimes you may encounter a problem in arithmetic sequence that involves fractions. So be
ready to use your previous knowledge on how to add or subtract fractions.

In addition, always make sure that you understand what the question is asking so that you can
have the correct strategy to approach the problem.

In this example, we are asked to find the seventh term, not simply the next term. It is a good
practice to write all the terms in the sequence and label them, if possible.

Now we have a clear understanding on how to work this out. Find the common difference, and
use this to find the seventh term.

Finding the common difference,

Then we find the 7th term by adding the common difference of starting with the 4th
term, and so on. Heres the complete calculation.

Therefore, the seventh term of the sequence is zero (0). We can write the final answer as,
Example 5: Find the 35th term in the arithmetic sequence 3, 9, 15, 21,

You can solve this problem by listing the successive terms using the common difference. This
method is tedious because you will have to keep adding the common difference (which is 6)
thirty five times starting with the last term in the sequence.

You dont have to do this because it is cumbersome. And not only that, it is very easy to commit
careless error during the repetitive addition process.

If you decide to find the 35th term of the sequence using this successive addition method, your
solution will look similar below. The dot dot dot means that there are calculations there but not
shown as it can easily occupy the entire page.