2.4.4

Find NthTerm in Linear Sequence

Test yourself

Finding the nth Term - Linear Sequences

What is the nth term formula for the sequence 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, ...?

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Formula

  • The general formula for a linear sequence is an + b.
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Difference

  • Find the difference between each term.
    • For this example, the difference = 5.
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Difference = a

  • We replace the 'a' term in the formula with the difference.
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First term

  • For the first term n = 1.
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Substitution

  • Substitute n = 1 into the formula.
    • This gives an answer of 4.
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Solve

  • We find that b = -1.
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Solve

  • nth term = 5n - 1

Jump to other topics

1Number

1.1Place Value

1.2Factors & Multiples

1.3Operations

1.4Fractions, Decimals & Percentages

1.5Growth & Decay

1.6Measurements & Units

1.7Accuracy

2Algebra

3Ratio, Proportion & Rates of Change

4Geometry & Measures

5Probability

6Statistics

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