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Arithmetic Sequences and Sums
Arithmetic Sequences and Sums
Sequence
Arithmetic Sequence
In other words, we just add the same value each time ... infinitely.
Example:
where:
Example: (continued)
Has:
And we get:
Rule
xn = a + d(n−1)
Example: Write a rule, and calculate the 9th term, for this Arithmetic Sequence:
= 3 + 5(n−1)
= 3 + 5n − 5
= 5n − 2
x9 = 5×9 − 2
= 43
And below and above it are shown the starting and ending values:
So:
Becomes:
Check: why don't you add up the terms yourself, and see if it comes to 145
Let's see why the formula works, because we get to use an interesting "trick" which is
worth knowing.
2S = n × (2a + (n−1)d)