PASAY CITY NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

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WORKSHEET 3 – FIRST QUARTER

Topic: SEQUENCE

MELC: Finds the general term or nth term of a sequence.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES:
* For each sequence find the general term (formula) or nth term.

1.) 2, 5, 8, 11, ……
Solution: Observe that the sequence has the same first differences, which means the sequence is linear in
nature. Using f(n) = an + b, our goal is to find the values of a & b, hence we just need two terms from
the sequence. We can assign f(1) = 2 where n = 1 (1st term) and f(2) = 5 where n = 2 (2nd term). Thus by
substitution, f(1) = a(1) + b = 2 and f(2) = a(2) + b = 5, hence after simplifying system of linear
equations in two unknowns; we have: a + b = 2 & 2a + b = 5. Then solving for the values of a & b using
elimination or substitution method, we will have a = 3 and b = – 1. Therefore, the general term (formula)
or nth term of the sequence is f(n) = 3n – 1.

2.) 1, 3, 7, 13, …..

Solution: Observe that the sequence has the same second differences, which means that the sequence is
quadratic in nature. Using f(n) = an2 + bn + c, our goal now is to find the values of a, b and c, hence
we need now three terms. We can choose the first three terms thus, f(1) = 1, f(2) = 3 and f(3) = 7. By
substitution, we have f(1) = a(1)2 + b(1) + c = 1, f(2) = a(2)2 + b(2) + c = 3 & f(3) = a(3)2 + b(3) + c =
7. After simplifying the system of equations, we have a + b + c = 1, 4a + 2b + c =3 & 9a + 3b + c = 7.
Now solving for the values of a, b & c using elimination or substitution method, we have a = 1, b = – 1 &
c = 1. Therefore, the general (formula) or nth term of the sequence is f(n) = n2 – n + 1.

TRY IT YOURSELF!!!
* For each item, identify the general or nth term of the sequence. Write your answers on the blank space
provided. You may write your solutions on a separate sheet of paper. God bless! (“,)

Take it Easy! Level up!

1.) 1, 4, 7, 10, ……. 4.) 10, 9, 12, 19, …….

an= 3n - 2
Formula: _________________ an= 2n2 - 7n + 15
Formula: __________________

2.) 12, 8, 4, 0, ……. 5.) – 4, – 2, 12, 44, 100, …….

an= -4n+16
Formula: _________________ an= n3 - 5n
Formula: __________________

3.) 4, 5, 8, 13, ……. 6.) 7/2, 9/4, 11/8, 13/16, …….

an= n2 - 2n + 5
Formula: _________________ an= 2n + 5
Formula: 2n

Prepared by: NAPOLEON M. ANTEJA JR. – E-MATH 10 – SY 2022-2023