Download Arithmetic Sequence Guided Notes

Arithmetic Sequence Guided Notes
Sequence is a set of numbers that follow a pattern. We call each number in the sequence a term.
Arithmetic Sequence is a sequence where each term is found by adding or subtracting the same value from one term to
the next. We call this value "common sum" or "common difference".
To find the function or rule, we use the following process:
1.
find the common difference
2. multiply the common difference with the n
3. If you come up with the term (y), then you are done. If you do not come up with the term (y), then ask
yourself, what do I need to add or subtract to get the term (y).
Example 1: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, . . .
n
Process
Term (y)
1
2
2
5
3
8
4
11
5
14
nth
y
Example 2: 8, 16, 24, 32, . . .
n
Process
Term (y)
1
8
2
16
3
24
4
32
nth
y
Example 3: 20, 16, 12, 8, . . .
n
Process
Term (y)
1
20
2
16
3
12
4
8
nth
y
You Try!!
12, 17, 22, 27, . . .
n
Process
Term (y)
1
12
2
17
3
22
4
27
nth
y
Given a sequence, we can find the function for the sequence by using the process above. With the
function, you will be able to find any term in the sequence by substituting that value into the function
for n.
Homework
Find the function (rule) for the sequence. Use the process you’ve learned.
1. 7, 16, 25, 34, . . .
2. 28, 34, 40, 46, . . .
3. 28, 25, 22, 19, . . .
4. 53, 45, 37, 29, . . .
5. 17, 28, 39, 50, . . .