A sequence follows the position to term rule 7 n 3 find the 10th term of the sequence

Formula's for the nth term

ALGEBRA

Here I intend to look at what is known as the nth term sequence. In doing so we will look at some examples and find the nth term which is known in mathematical terms by a "u" followed by a subscript(small) "n".

So what exactly is the connection( the pattern) between the "n" and the "un".

If we take a closer look at the un we can see that it goes up in two's (2's).

(Position) U         1    2    3    4    5

 ( Term)    Un          3    5    7    9   11

      n x 2               2    4    6    8   10

3 + 2 =   5

5 + 2 =   7

7 + 2 =   9

9 + 2 = 11

Therefore we can write down that un = 2n, in other words we are doubling the number.

Looking again we may need to adjust that 2n slightly;

2n means 2 x n therefore,

2 x 1 =   2

2 x 2 =   4

2 x 3 =   6

2 x 4 =   8

2 x 5 = 10

These are the numbers we have got after multiplyingn x 2, you will have noticed that they are 1 less in each case than the numbers in the unbracket, therefore we need to add on 1 in the formula.

Our formula now looks like this un = 2n + 1 (where the un is the nth term)

2 x n =   ? + 1 =  un

2 x 1 =   2 + 1 =   3

2 x 2 =   4 + 1 =   5

2 x 3 =   6 + 1 =   7

2 x 4 =   8 + 1 =   9

2 x 5 = 10 + 1 = 11

Answer:- un = 2n + 1

This is the type of question for the nth term, could be asked in an exam paper;

Find the nth term for the sequence; 2, 6, 10, 14, 18 ... (etc)?

To begin with we need to change this sequence into a table!

The "n" is the position and the “un” is the term.

The position simply represents the number of digits in a sequence, in the above there are "5" [ 2(which is 1), 6(which is 2), 10(which is 3), 14(which is 4), 18( finally this is number 5 )]

(Position) U          1    2     3     4     5

  ( Term)   Un            2    6   10   14   18

     n x 4                 4    8   12   16   20

So what exactly is the connection (the pattern ) between the "n" and the "un", in this question?

If we take a closer look at the "un" we can see that it is going up in four's (4's).

  2 + 4 =   6

  6 + 4 = 10

10 + 4 = 14

14 + 4 = 18

Therefore we can write down that un = 4n (which means 4 x n)

4 x 1 =   4

4 x 2 =   8

4 x 3 = 12

4 x 4 = 16

4 x 5 = 20

These are the numbers we have got after multiplying n x 4, you will have noticed that there are 2 more in each case than the numbers in the un term, therefore we need to subtract 2 in the formula.

Our formula now looks like this; un = 4n - 2 (where the unis the nth term)

4 x n =   ? - 2 = un

4 x 1 =   4 – 2 =  2

4 x 2 =   8 – 2 =  6

4 x 3 = 12– 2 = 10

4 x 4 = 16– 2 = 14

4 x 5 = 20– 2 = 18

Answer:- un = 4n - 2

In this example we need to find the nth term for this sequence;

Find the nth term for the sequence; 3, 6, 11, 18, 27 ... (etc)?

To begin with we need to change this sequence into a table!

This example is quite similar to the one above!!!!

LOOK CAREFULLY:-

The "n" is the position and the “un“ is the term

Again there are five numbers and they are holding the first five POSITIONS

The position simply represents the number of digits in a sequence, in the above there are "5" [ 3(which is 1), 6(which is 2), 11(which is 3), 18(which is 4), 27( finally this is number 5 )]

(Position) U           1    2     3     4    5

  ( Term)   Un             3    6   11   18   27

n2=(n x n)              1    4     9   16   25

So what exactly is the connection (the pattern ) between the "n" and the "un", in this question?

Is there a set pattern?

Are they going up in 2's or 4's? --- NO they are not!

  3 + 3 =   6

  6 + 5 = 11

11 + 7 = 18

18 + 9 = 27

In a case like this we would square (n2) the numbers and see what that brings us too.

Therefore we can write down that un = n2 (which means n x n)

1 x 1 =   1

2 x 2 =   4

3 x 3 =   9

4 x 4 = 16

5 x 5 = 25

These are the numbers we have got after multiplying n x n, you will have noticed that they are 2 less in each case than the numbers in the un term, therefore we need to add 2 in the formula.

Our formula now looks like this; un = n2 + 2 ( where the un is the nth term)

n x n =  ? + 2 = un

1 x 1 =   1 + 2 =   3

2 x 2 =   4 + 2 =   6

3 x 3 =   9 + 2 = 11

4 x 4 = 16 + 2 = 18

5 x 5 = 25 + 2 = 27

Answer:- un = n2 + 2

Another favourite question in exams is as follows;

The nth term of a sequence is represented by this formula:- un = 3n + 2

We are asked to;

(i) Find the first 4 terms

(ii) To find the 49th term

( i ) Find the first 4 terms

Our formula is:- 3n + 2 = un

Therefore our 1st term is u1 = 3 x 1 = 3 + 2 =   5

                             2nd term u2 = 3 x 2 = 6 + 2 =   8

                             3rd term u3 = 3 x 3 = 9 + 2 =  11

                            4th term u4 = 3 x 4 = 12 + 2 = 14

Our first four terms are; u1 , u2 , u3 , and u4

They end up as 5, 8, 11, and 14

\ First 4 terms are: 5, 8, 11, 14. (Answer:-)

( ii ) We have been asked to find the 49th term.

49th term: This will be known as u49

As before in part ( i ) the formula is; un = 3n + 2

Therefore we will replace the “n” with the 49

 un  =       3n             + 2

u49 = (3 x 49) = 147 + 2 = 149

(Answer) u49 = 149

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This website is boaring

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Does anybody on this goddamn blog answer questions!!!??

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24,54,103,....

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kola on December 18, 2012:

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what is the pattern of these numbers?

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thank you

timmi2000 on June 11, 2012:

wondering if anyone could help me with these questions, and help me work it out as i do not seem to get it.

1) find the 8th term of each of these sequences

a) 2,5,8,11

b) 3,7,11,15

c) 2,10,50,250

d) 2,6,18,54

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a)3,8,13,18

b)1,3,9,27

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what are the next two numbers 4, 5, 14, 15, 40, 41, _, _, ?

luiza on May 26, 2012:

Please help me

look at the equation n+3=12. Use iot to work out the value of n-3

Kyle on May 24, 2012:

Which statement describes how to find the nth term in the sequence?

12, 29, 46, 63, 80, ...

A.add 5 times the term number and 12

B.subtract 17 times the term number from 12

C.subtract 5 from 17 times the term number

D.add 5 and 17 times the term number

Adam Saleh on May 23, 2012:

The nth term of a sequence is n^2-6n-4, find the sum of 3rd and 4th terms

chris on May 14, 2012:

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Pavan Kumar on May 09, 2012:

24 24 28 46 94 what is the next sequence

ragu on May 07, 2012:

In the sequence, 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 when we add any three numbers we have to get the answer 30

yaya on April 26, 2012:

hi am year 7 what is the 5 terms and the 10th term of 2n+2

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plz define in detail what do we do with sequences not having a common difference E.G 0..-1..-8..-27..-64.

And also do you happen to know any formula like

Tn= A+d(n-1)+ 1/2[(n-1)(n-2)c] which claims to work on everything. If Yes than please explain the formula.

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how to solve this

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give solution to this sum

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Jimmy on March 15, 2012:

nth term of sequence the sequence is 4, 12, 24

This is what i gett

4 12 24 40

\ / \ / \ /

8 12 16

\ / \ /

4 4

But I dont know how to make a formula from this help

SURUTHI on March 14, 2012:

HI,

pleasssssssse solve this problem ,i am not getting the SOLUTION anywhere in the net.

"the sum of the first n terms of an ap are in the ratio (3n +8):(7n + 15), find the ratio of the 3 rd terms"

{ans=23:50}.

SURUTHI on March 14, 2012:

HI,

pleasssssssse solve this problem ,i am not getting the solution anywhere in the net.

"the sum of the first n terms of an ap are in the ratio (3n +8):(7n + 15), find the ratio of the 3 rd terms" ans 23:50.

CHRISTY on March 12, 2012:

nth term of sequence ?7, ?21, 3?7.....

on March 09, 2012:

a series is s

uch that the sum of the first nth therms is 2n^2 minus 3n.

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Fazla on March 07, 2012:

Maa''m i can't understand general term.. I don't knw why.. If u can help me in dis.. it will be a great help..

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dmndmz on March 04, 2012:

Greetings ;)

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WHAT IS THE FORMULER FOR THE SEQUENCE; 22,18,14,10?

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Can Anyone Find What's The 6th Term For 5 , 7 , 11 ....

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given the general form an^2+bn+c

find a

pls help with the above

M on February 18, 2012:

What is the Nth Term to: -1, 7, 18, 29, 42, 57

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F on February 07, 2012:

5 x 4 x 3 ... -5 x -2 x - 4 Write out the correct form of the sequence

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and the tenth term of 0.4,0.04,0.004,,, plz give me a formula for this

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what is the formula of sixth term of 3/4,3,12...

t.elia on February 03, 2012:

how bout sixth term of 3/4,3,12...

Geralyn. on February 03, 2012:

the radiator of the truck contains 12 gallons of water. We draw off 3 gallons and replace it with alcohol, then we draw off 3 gallons of the mixture then replaced it by alcohol. until 8 drawings and replacements have been dine. How much alcohol is in the final mixture?

Ronak on February 03, 2012:

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shubham on February 02, 2012:

iam confuse between nth and n terms of A.P

PLEASE HELP T.ELIA

akanksha raj on February 01, 2012:

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Vin on February 01, 2012:

What's The Next Three Terms of the Arithmetic Sequence?

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Help Please :D

Filip on January 30, 2012:

-1 , -2 , -1 , 2 , 7 , 14 what's the nth term please?

Simon on January 29, 2012:

I'm stuck on this question so could you help me out?

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joyce on January 28, 2012:

what would be the nth term of 30,28,26,24,22..

joyce on January 28, 2012:

what would be the nth term of 30,28,26,24,22... and what would be the nth term of 40,37,34,31,28...

grace on January 28, 2012:

what would be the nth term of 40,38,36,34,32...

rohit choudahry on January 25, 2012:

0,2,4,6,8,12,12,20,16,?

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eivlys on January 20, 2012:

Find the next term of the progression 2 4 6 14 23

Carl on January 19, 2012:

Hi would you be able to help me with the general term (tn) I guess, I doesn't know the word in english... well here are the numbers, 2,7,15,26,40 thanks :)

Kieran on January 17, 2012:

What is the nth term for this sequence (or similar ones): 2, 7, 15, 26. It goes up like this: +5, +8, +9.

miley on January 11, 2012:

how do you find the equation and 50th term of 1,4,9,16,25,36,48

Marc on January 11, 2012:

Find the next term of the progression 24,12,8,.....

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on January 10, 2012:

Simba,

What are you working on multiplication?? Please clarify.

Telia

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on January 09, 2012:

MAHI,

Arithematic Progression:-

A sequence of numbers. Let's start with a number: a1.

Now add a number d, (for "difference").

We get a1 + d and the first 2 terms in our sequence are:

a1, a1 + d

For the next term, let's add d to that last term and we have a1 + 2d.

Our sequence is now:

a1, a1 + d, a1 + 2d

We continue this process and the resulting set of numbers is called an arithmetic progression (AP) or arithmetic sequence

Good Luck Telia

Sorry posted the comment and wasn't signed in.

MAHI on January 09, 2012:

WHAT IS AP?

ogleoo on January 08, 2012:

i keep forgetting that n means term number!!!

ogleoo on January 06, 2012:

thank you so much

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on January 06, 2012:

Ogleoo,

48 - 4n

48 - (4 x 1)= 48 - 4 = 44

48 - (4 x 2)= 48 - 8 = 40

48 - (4 x 3)= 48 - 12 = 36 etc

I hope you find this easy to follow

Good Luck

student on December 12, 2011:

hello plaese help me find Recurrence Relations

t(n)=t(3n/5)+t(2n/5)+n

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on December 10, 2011:

Hi Paul, this link you provided isn't working.

Paul on December 10, 2011:

My homework sheet says that i have to write a rule in terms of n, i don't know what that means, the website for my homework is http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:ap2t.../maths/docs/building_number_patterns.doc+building+investigative+skills&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgdc2qKUJbnfZK9K6L22BqBGd27GIaVEhDj6m_QE5xBedMtgqj5QD7hfd1vx0armiQYpFn4mPs83vidpckpAmTdbMgP_2PR7u30s46xICSkUbnCcSq1TaTrXxr-ywh0FKdy2oaH&sig=AHIEtbScDxgftte_31i6WwekjrGnqCDRgA, i also don't get question 4

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on November 20, 2011:

Hi Jamie

Your answer is 3n + 9

Jamie on November 20, 2011:

Hi, can you help me.

If i have these 4 numbers, 12 15 18 21, what's the sequente to get the nth term?

shreyansh on November 19, 2011:

The value of (2/3)(3/4)(4/5).....(1-1/n)=

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on November 01, 2011:

Oscar,

Answer is 3n + 4

3 x 1 = 3 + 4 = 7

3 x 2 = 6 + 4 = 10

3 x 3 = 9 + 4 = 13 etc

Good Luck & hope this helps

oscar on October 31, 2011:

can you solv please 7,10,13,16

bubble 543 on October 22, 2011:

what would the answer be for the nth term for a sequence is n-2/ n squared

write the first three terms of the sequence

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on October 16, 2011:

LIV

26-4n

26 - 4 x N

26 - 4 x (1) = 22

26 - 4 x (2) = 18

26 - 4 x (3) = 14 etc

Hope this helps

Good Luck

liv on October 16, 2011:

26-4n?

Mahmoud Shahoud on October 10, 2011:

Hi , You're smart , but all comments don't help me .

can you help me .

I have this sequence .

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2

I want to calculate the 11st element and 12nd element

I want Math Equations .

I have a product gave me the answer but I want the way .

11st term = 11

12nd term = 56

please help me .

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on October 06, 2011:

DAVID

53, 56, 61, 68

first difference is 3, 5, 7

second difference is 2

Tn = a + (n - 1) d

The Sum of the n terms is written as Sn and we know that the nth term = Tn = Sn - (Sn-1)

Tn = 53 + 3 + 5 + 7

Tn = 53 + n/2[ 2*3 + (n - 1) 2]

Tn = 53 + n/2 x 6 + 2(n - 1) (Cancel down)

Tn = 53 + 3n + n^2 - n

Tn = n^2 + 2n + 53 (Answer)

Good Luck

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on October 06, 2011:

DAVID

50, 48, 46, 44

Tn = a + (n - 1) d

a = 50

d = 48

48 - 50 = -2

Tn = a + (n - 1) d

Tn = 50 + (n - 1) -2

Tn = 50 - 2n + 2

Tn = 52 - 2n (Answer)

Good Luck

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on October 06, 2011:

DOM & DAVID,

you have both asked for the same problem here;

3, 8, 15, 24, 35

First difference is 5, 7, 9, 11

Second difference is 2

The Sum of the n terms is written as Sn and we know that the nth term = Tn = Sn - (Sn-1)

Tn = a + (n - 1) d

Tn = n/2 [ 2a + (n - 1) d ]

Tn = n/2 [ 2*3 + (n - 1) 2]

Tn = n/2 x 6 + n/2 x (n - 1)2 (cancel down)

Tn = 3n + n^2 - n

Tn = n^2 + 2n (Answer)

Good Luck

David on October 06, 2011:

Excuse me, would you help me with 50,48,46,44 and 3,8,15,24,35 and 53,56,61,68 please, thanks.

dom on October 06, 2011:

3,8,15,24,35 what is the rule for that? im stuck !

t.elia (author) from Northern Ireland on October 05, 2011:

RUSS & ME,

Here is help with the sequence for your formula;

1 , 8 , 9 , 12

1^2, 2^3, 3^2 , (2*3*2) = 12

So the first number is squared = 1

...the second number is cubed = 8

...the third number is squared = 9

...the fourth is the powers multiplied (2*3*2) = 12

The fifth number will be 5^2 = 25

The sixth number will be 6^3 = 216

The seventh number is 7^2 = 49

The eighth will be the powers multiplied (2*3*2) = 12

and so on ......

Hope this helps

Good Luck

Me on October 05, 2011:

WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR tHIS SEQUENCE PLEAAAASE! 1 8 9 12

Russ on October 05, 2011:

Can somebody help me with the sequence of 1 8 9 12 please...are there 2 sequences? What follows after 12? Much appreciated!

Bex on October 04, 2011:

What's the nth term for: -1 +1 -1 +1 -1.

Doing my GCSEs and stuck on homework.

renee on October 04, 2011:

what are the first 5 nth term of 3n+6

saf on October 04, 2011:

ok i know this is random but if you start with 2 and double each time then what is the number if the nth term is n+3

then 105-5n

2n-0.5v

thanx

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