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A sequence is a pattern of numbers that are formed in accordance with a definite rule.
We can often describe number patterns in more than one way. To illustrate this, consider the
following sequence of numbers {1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …}.
Clearly, the first term of this number pattern is 1; and the terms after the first term are obtained
by adding 2 to the previous term. We can also describe this number pattern as a set of odd
numbers.
By observation, we notice that we can describe this number pattern by the rule
as shown below.
The answer is no. From the table, when x = 1 the value of y should be 5. How do we change
our answer from 2 to 5? We should add 3.
Example 5
Solution:
In the given table, the x-values increase by 1 for each ordered pair.
Find the difference between the successive values of y. That is:
The difference between successive values of y is always 3. So, the rule is of the form
Check:
To establish a rule for a number pattern involving ordered pairs of x and y, we can find the
difference between every two successive values of y. If the difference pattern is the same, then
thecoefficient of x in the algebraic rule (or formula) is the same as the difference pattern
Arithmetic Sequences
Examples:
Examples:
Special Sequences
Triangular Numbers
This Triangular Number Sequence is generated from a pattern of dots which form a triangle.
By adding another row of dots and counting all the dots we can find the next number of the
sequence:
Square Numbers
Cube Numbers
Fibonacci Numbers
The next number is found by adding the two numbers before it together.
The 2 is found by adding the two numbers in front of it (1+1)
The 21 is found by adding the two numbers in front of it (8+13)
The next number in the sequence above would be 55 (21+34)