Number Patterns

NUMBER PATTERNS

• The nth term, Tn, is called the general term of a sequence.
• Tn = general term of a sequence
• n = term number in the sequence
• EXAMPLE:
• Tn = 2n+1
• T1 = 2(1)+1 = 3
• T2 = 2(2)+1 = 5
• T3 = 2(3)+1 = 7
• ...

STEPS TO TAKE

• Observe the breakdown
• +/- (arithmetic) OR ×/÷ (geometric)
• List the breakdown
• Get Tn (if required)
• If question asks you to find T4 ,
• If n=4, / Sub n=4,
• Tn = 2n + 1
• T4 = 2(4)+1 = 9

IDENTIFY SEQUENCE TYPE

• GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE:
• Each term is obtained by multiplying the term by a non-zero constant.
• ARITHMETIC SEQUENCE:
• Difference between terms is a constant that's added or subtracted