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Learn · Algebra 1

Arithmetic & Geometric Sequences: Find the nth Term

Arithmetic sequences add the same number each step (linear pattern). Geometric sequences multiply by the same number each step (exponential pattern). Two formulas, one strategy: identify, then plug in.

7 minTEKS 12C,12DAlgebra 1

Patterns are sequences

2, 5, 8, 11, ... — same amount added each step. 2, 6, 18, 54, ... — same multiplier each step. Both are sequences: ordered lists of numbers following a rule. Algebra 1 asks you to identify which type, find the rule, and use it to predict the 7th, 10th, or 100th term.

Arithmetic sequence: add a fixed number d each time2581114+3+3+3+3aₙ = a₁ + (n − 1) · d10th term: a₁₀ = 2 + 9(3) = 29

Arithmetic sequences (add)

an = a1 + (n − 1) · da1 = first term, d = common differenceSubtract any term from the next to get d. Same throughout the sequence.

Example

Sequence: 5, 9, 13, 17, ... What's the next term?

d = 9 − 5 = 4a5 = 17 + 4 = 21
Next term
What is the next term in the arithmetic sequence: 5, 9, 13, 17, ...?

Formula example: find the 8th term

a1 = 5, d = 3a8 = 5 + (8 − 1) · 3= 5 + 21 = 26
nth term of an arithmetic sequence
Arithmetic sequence: a₁=5, d=3. Find a₈.

Geometric sequences (multiply)

an = a1 · r(n − 1)a1 = first term, r = common ratioDivide any term by the previous to get r. Same throughout.

Example

Sequence: 5, 10, 20, 40, ... What is the common ratio?

r = 10 / 5 = 2Each term is double the previous.
Find the common ratio
Geometric sequence: 5,10,20,40,... Common ratio?
Geometric sequence: multiply by a fixed ratio r each time36122448×2×2×2×2aₙ = a₁ · r^(n−1)10th term: a₁₀ = 3 · 2⁹ = 1,536

Tell them apart

First check “subtract,” then “divide”

Compute a2 − a1 and a3 − a2. Same? → arithmetic. Different? Compute a2/a1 and a3/a2. Same? → geometric. Neither? → not a standard sequence.

Identify the sequence type
Is the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54 arithmetic or geometric?
The big connection

An arithmetic sequence is a discrete linear function (the common difference is the slope). A geometric sequence is a discrete exponential function (the common ratio is the base b). Same math, different notation.

Arithmetic = linear growth; Geometric = exponential growth123456n (term number)arithmetic (linear)geometric(exponential)

3-second recap

  • Arithmetic → add d each step. an = a1 + (n − 1) · d
  • Geometric → multiply by r each step. an = a1 · rn−1
  • Subtract for d. Divide for r. (n − 1), not n, in the formula.

Check yourself

Quick check #1
Find the 10th term of the arithmetic sequence: 3, 7, 11, 15, …
Quick check #2
In the geometric sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, …, what is the common ratio?