A sequence is an ordered list of numbers or objects. There must be a pattern in the way these numbers or objects are organised. We usually refer to this pattern as a common difference or ratio. In this revision I will be concentrating particularly on the two types of sequences. That is the Arithmetic and geometric sequence.
Arithmetic progression/sequences
An arithmetic progression or arithmetic sequence is simply a sequence of numbers with a common difference and this common difference has to be constant. For example: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 is an arithmetic progression sequence with common difference 2.
So you have the arithmetic sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12; In general we write the formula for this sequence as:
ak+1 = ak+2
where k is the position of a term such as the previous term. This type of sequence where the first term of the sequence and the formula is called an iterative or inductive sequence. It uses an inductive or iterative formulae, this is true for all types of formulas including the geometric sequences. The first term of the sequences and the formula is required. The first term is called a1, the second term a2, third term a3 and so forth…
a1 = 2
You can go further to generate the following terms in the sequence;
a2 = a1+2
a3 = a2+2
a4 = a3+2
a5 = a4+2
On the other hand you might have a sequence with a deductive or direct formulae; For example for our sequence above the formula would be:
ak = 2k+0
where k is the position of the term in question. I have add the +0 to signify the process which must be carried out where we subtract the difference from the first term while forming the formula. The same formula will generate the above sequence except we do not need the first few terms of the sequence to find the following sequences.
You can read further on Arithmetic sequences here.
Geometric progression/sequences
A Geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term in the sequence is found by multiplying the previous term with a with a unchanging number called the common ratio. For instance, the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, … is a geometric sequence with common ratio 3. Similarly with 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, … which is a geometric sequence with common ratio 1/2.
In the first instance the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, ….
a1 = 2
a2 = a1 x 2
a3 = a2 x 2
a4 = a3 x 2
In general we write the formula for the above geometric sequence as:
ak+1 = akx3
At first glance the idea behind the formula might not seem logical. It could take a while to get used to the idea. Simply you need to find a number to replace with k which when added with 1 will give you the position of that term you’re after, usually that number will be the previous number. This type of formula is similar to the formula we saw in the arithmetic sequence so it is a iterative or deductive formula.
You can read more on Geometric progression/sequences here.
Types of Sequences,
[...] Types of Sequences. [...]
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this had indeed made studies very simple. thanks, keep the good hard work.
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hii!! i learn something about sequence even though i confusing other types of sequence but still i try to appreciate it..thank you so much!!!
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oh my ghashhh this is sO eazy for me! keep work eazy
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thanks. .I’ve learn lots of sequences. .Like arithmetic and geometric sequences. .I wish many people/pupils can read this letter so that they can learn and understand about sequences.
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