Generating Patterns #1

Sequence
• A set of objects which is listed in a specific order
• A function whose domain is the finite set {1,2,3,…n}
• Or the infinite set {1,2,3…}
• *Each member or element in the set is called a TERM
Order
Examples:
Sequence n1 2 3 4 5
1) 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, … 2 , 4, 6, 8, 10…

An A = Difference An = 2n • A1 = 2 • A50 = 100

n = Subscript • A2 = 4 • A25 = 50
• A4 = 8 • A100 = 200

1 2 3 4 5
2) An 3, 5, 7, 9, 11… 98th Term = ?
2 2 2 2
• A98 = 2n + 1
• An = 2n + 1
= 2 (98) + 1
= 196 + 1
A98 = 197

 Note: A simple way to find the common difference is to subtract the 2nd term to the 1st term.
Make sure to double check other terms.

n 1 2 3 4 5  Note: The difference in this given equation is 3 so instead of 2n it

3) 1 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 9 , … becomes 3n
2 2 2 2 Difference
• An = 2n - 1 1 - 2 = -1
 Note: We got -2 by subtracting the 1st term to the difference
An = 2n - 1  *Subtract the 1st term to the difference. Not the other way around

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
4) 1 , 4 , 7 , 10… • A100 = 3n - 2 • A100 = 3n
5) 3 , 6 , 9 , 12 , 15
3 3 3 = 3 (100) - 2 3 3 3 3 = 3 (100)
A100 = 298 A100 = 300
• An = 3n

1 2 3 4 5
6) 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 , 13 • A100 = 3 (100) - 2
3 3 3 3
= 300 - 2
• An = 3n - 2 A100 = 298