nth Term of Linear Sequences Flashcards

A sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant.

A formula that allows you to find any term in a sequence by substituting the position number (n).

The constant difference between consecutive terms in a linear sequence.

Subtract one term from the next term in the sequence.

nth term = an + b, where a is the common difference and b is a constant.

The value of 'a' is the common difference of the sequence.

Substitute n = 1 and the first term of the sequence into the formula nth term = an + b to solve for b.

Substitute the position number (n) into the nth term formula to find the value of the term.

Set the nth term formula equal to the number and solve for n. If n is a whole number, the number is in the sequence.

For the sequence 3, 7, 11, 15, the nth term is 4n - 1 (common difference = 4, first term = 3).