Math Problem Statement
Write an expression to describe the sequence below. Use n to represent the position of a term in the sequence, where n = 1 for the first term.
–64, –128, –192, –256, ...
an =
Solution
To find the expression for the given sequence, we need to identify its pattern.
The sequence is:
Step 1: Identify the common difference
To recognize the pattern, we look at the difference between consecutive terms:
Since the common difference between consecutive terms is constant (), this is an arithmetic sequence.
Step 2: General formula for an arithmetic sequence
The general formula for the -th term of an arithmetic sequence is:
Where:
- is the first term (which is ),
- is the common difference (which is ).
Step 3: Substitute the values into the formula
Substitute and into the formula:
Simplify the expression:
Thus, the expression for the -th term of the sequence is:
Would you like a more detailed explanation or have any questions about this? Here's some further exploration:
- How to identify the first term and common difference in arithmetic sequences.
- Can this formula apply to geometric sequences as well?
- How can we find the sum of the first terms of this sequence?
- What happens if the common difference is positive instead of negative?
- What is the 10th term in this sequence?
Tip: Always check the common difference or ratio in a sequence first, as it helps quickly determine if the sequence is arithmetic or geometric.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Arithmetic Sequences
Algebra
Formulas
a_n = a_1 + (n - 1) * d
Theorems
Arithmetic sequence formula
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 6-8