The Formula for the nth Term of a Linear Sequence

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 16 views

Introduction

In mathematics, a linear sequence is a sequence of numbers in which each term after the first is obtained by adding a fixed constant to the previous term. This constant is known as the common difference. In this article, we will explore how to find the common difference of a linear sequence given the first term and the 8th term.

What is a Linear Sequence?

A linear sequence is a sequence of numbers in which each term after the first is obtained by adding a fixed constant to the previous term. This constant is known as the common difference. For example, the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... is a linear sequence with a common difference of 2.

The Formula for the nth Term of a Linear Sequence

The formula for the nth term of a linear sequence is given by:

an = a1 + (n - 1)d

where an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, n is the term number, and d is the common difference.

Finding the Common Difference

To find the common difference, we can use the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence. We are given that the first term (a1) is 3 and the 8th term (a8) is also 3. We can plug these values into the formula and solve for d.

Step 1: Plug in the values

an = a1 + (n - 1)d 3 = 3 + (8 - 1)d

Step 2: Simplify the equation

3 = 3 + 7d

Step 3: Subtract 3 from both sides

0 = 7d

Step 4: Divide both sides by 7

0 = d

Conclusion

The common difference of the linear sequence is 0. This means that the sequence is a constant sequence, where every term is equal to the first term.

Real-World Applications

The concept of a linear sequence and the common difference has many real-world applications. For example, in finance, the common difference can be used to model the growth or decline of an investment over time. In physics, the common difference can be used to model the motion of an object over time.

Example Problems

Find the common difference of the linear sequence 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...
Find the common difference of the linear sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ...
Find the common difference of the linear sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ...

Solutions

The common difference of the linear sequence 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ... is 5.
The common difference of the linear sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... is 2.
The common difference of the linear sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ... is 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the common difference of a linear sequence can be found using the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence. The common difference is a fixed constant that is added to the previous term to obtain the next term. The concept of a linear sequence and the common difference has many real-world applications and is an important concept in mathematics.

References

[1] "Linear Sequences" by Math Open Reference
[2] "Common Difference" by Khan Academy
[3] "Linear Sequences and Series" by Wolfram MathWorld

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed how to find the common difference of a linear sequence given the first term and the 8th term. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about linear sequences and the common difference.

Q: What is a linear sequence?

A: A linear sequence is a sequence of numbers in which each term after the first is obtained by adding a fixed constant to the previous term. This fixed constant is known as the common difference.

Q: What is the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence?

A: The formula for the nth term of a linear sequence is given by:

an = a1 + (n - 1)d

where an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, n is the term number, and d is the common difference.

Q: How do I find the common difference of a linear sequence?

A: To find the common difference, you can use the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence. You can plug in the values of the first term and the nth term, and then solve for d.

Q: What if I don't know the nth term, but I know the first term and the common difference?

A: If you know the first term and the common difference, you can use the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence to find the nth term. For example, if the first term is 3 and the common difference is 2, you can plug these values into the formula to find the 8th term.

Q: Can I use the common difference to find the first term of a linear sequence?

A: Yes, you can use the common difference to find the first term of a linear sequence. If you know the nth term and the common difference, you can plug these values into the formula for the nth term of a linear sequence and solve for a1.

Q: What if I have a linear sequence with a common difference of 0?

A: If you have a linear sequence with a common difference of 0, it means that every term in the sequence is equal to the first term. This is known as a constant sequence.

Q: Can I use the common difference to find the sum of a linear sequence?

A: Yes, you can use the common difference to find the sum of a linear sequence. If you know the first term, the last term, and the common difference, you can use the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series to find the sum.

Q: What is the formula for the sum of an arithmetic series?

A: The formula for the sum of an arithmetic series is given by:

S = (n/2)(a1 + an)

where S is the sum, n is the number of terms, a1 is the first term, and an is the last term.

Q: Can I use the common difference to find the average of a linear sequence?

A: Yes, you can use the common difference to find the average of a linear sequence. If you know the first term, the last term, and the common difference, you can use the formula for the average of an arithmetic series to find the average.

Q: What is the formula for the average of an arithmetic series?

A: The formula for the average of an arithmetic series is given by:

A = (a1 + an)/2

where A is the average, a1 is the first term, and an is the last term.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the common difference of a linear sequence is a fixed constant that is added to the previous term to obtain the next term. The formula for the nth term of a linear sequence can be used to find the common difference, and the formula for the sum and average of an arithmetic series can be used to find the sum and average of a linear sequence.

References

[1] "Linear Sequences" by Math Open Reference
[2] "Common Difference" by Khan Academy
[3] "Linear Sequences and Series" by Wolfram MathWorld