Patterns in

physics

Johannes Kepler (1571–1630)

discovered physical laws that

explain the motion of the

planets around the sun. His

third law tells us that if T is

the time it takes a planet to

orbit the sun, and r is the

2
radius of its orbit, then T ∝ r

What does it mean to have

an exponent of ? By

looking for patterns when

working with exponents, we

can give fractional exponents

a sensible denition.

Patterns in nance

When you invest money at a bank, the

bank usually awards interest on your

savings; many banks compound the

interest annually.

What pattern is generated by the amount in

the bank account at the end of each year?

Understanding the pattern at the end of

each year can help you to work out what

would be a fair value for an investment if

you needed to withdraw money partway

through the year.

2 71
 What comes next?

8.1
Global context: Scientic and technological innovation

Objectives Inquiry questions

● ●
Understanding and using recursive and explicit What is a sequence?

F
formulae for sequences
●
How can you describe the terms of

●
Recognizing linear and quadratic sequences a sequence?

● ●
Finding a general formula for a linear or What is a general formula for a
MROF

quadratic sequence sequence?

●
Recognizing patterns in real-life contexts
●
What types of sequence are there?

C
●
Solving problems involving sequences in
●
How can you identify sequences?

real-life contexts

●
How do you nd a general formula for

a sequence?

●
Can you always predict the next terms

D
of a sequence?

ATL Critical-thinking

Identify trends and forecast possibilities

Statement of Inquiry: 8.1

Using dierent forms to generalize and justify patterns can help

improve products, processes and solutions.

12.1

12.2

E8.1

272
 A LG E B R A

You should already know how to:

●
identify the next term in a 1 Write down the next two terms in

sequence each sequence.

a 2, 4, 6, 8, …

b 4, 9, 14, 19, …

c 0, 2, 6, 12, …

●
substitute into formulae 2 Find the value of :

a 6n + 3, when n = 4

b 2n + 7, when n = 10

c n 1, when n = 2

d 4n 2n + 11, when n = 1

●
solve simple linear and quadratic 3 Solve for n

equations a 3n + 7 = 19

b 5n 2 = 14

c 5n + 1 = 181

●
write a general formula for 4 Find a formula for the nth term of

simple number patterns each sequence.

a 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, …

b 12, 24, 36, 48, …

c 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …

F Introduction to sequences

●
What is a sequence?

●
How can you describe the terms of a sequence?

●
What is a general formula for a sequence?

ATL

Exploration 1

1 Describe each list of numbers. Compare your descriptions with others.

a 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 b 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 c 7, 10, 13, 16, 19

d 1, 2, 1, 2, 1 e 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 f 0, 1, 8, 6, 5

Predict the next three numbers in each list. Compare your results

with others.
Tip

2 Here are two dierent ways of continuing the list 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, …

Search online for

‘3 1 4 1 5 9 2 6 5 3 5’
3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 7, 1, 8

if you need help

3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, 2, 6, 5, 3, 5
identifying the

pattern.
Explain the pattern in each one.

8.1 What comes next? 273

 Reect and discuss 1

Here is a way of continuing the list from 1f in Exploration 1:

0, 1, 8, 6, 5, 5, 5, 6, 7, 6, 7

Is there a pattern?

Try searching online for the numbers grouped like this: 01865 556 767.

●
Does this list of numbers count as a pattern?

●
Could you have identied the sequence without an internet search?

●
If one digit was missing, would you be able to nd out what it was?

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. Each number in the list is called

a term

In some sequences the terms follow a pattern, specic rule or order. All the

sequences in Exploration 1 were generated by a pattern. The list in Reect and

discuss 1, however, is not a mathematical pattern.

Describing terms in a sequence

The subscript is

You can use u to represent the rst term of the sequence, u to represent sometimes called
1 2

thesecond term, and so on. The subscripts 1, 2, 3, match the term number. the index of the

Forthe sequence 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ... term. As the word

‘index’ is also

1st term 2nd term 3rd term 4th term 5th term

used to mean

u = 1 u = 3 u = 5 u = 7 u = 9 ‘exponent’, you
1 2 3 4 5

need to work out

You could also use u for the rst term, so that:

0

its meaning from

1st term 2nd term 3rd term 4th term 5th term
the context.

u = 1 u = 3 u = 5 u = 7 u = 9
0 1 2 3 4

Sequences starting from u are often used in computer programs. When u

0 0
Tip

starts the sequence, the subscripts do not match the term number.

Be careful when

you talk about ‘the

Reect and discuss 2

rst term’ – do you

mean u or u ?
●
Why is the notation u , u , u , u , u , … more useful than labelling the 0 1

1 2 3 4 5

terms a, b, c, d, e, …?

●
What does u mean?
n

Describing a sequence using an explicit formula (position-to-term rule)

An explicit formula uses the term’s position number, n, to calculate

its value.

2 74 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

The formula

u = 2n 1 for n ≥ 1
n

tells us that the value of the nth term (u ) is given by 2n 1 for any value of n
n

greater than or equal to 1. When you are working with sequences, n is always

an integer.

Using the above formula, letting n = 1 gives the following:

u = 2 × 1 1
1

= 1

Similarly, letting n = 2 gives:

u = 2 × 2 1
2

= 3

and so on.

Example 1

A sequence is given by the explicit formula u = 3n 2 for n ≥ 1.

n

a Find:

i the rst, second and tenth terms of the sequence

ii the term of the sequence with value 673.

b Determine whether or not 524 is a term of the sequence.

a i Since n ≥ 1, the terms required are u , u and u

1 2 10

u = 3 × 1 2 = 1 Substitute n = 1 for the 1st term.

1

u = 3 × 2 2 = 10 Substitute n = 2 for the 2nd term.

2

u = 3 × 10 2 = 298
10
Substitute n = 10 for the 10th term.

ii 3n 2 = 673

Solve the explicit formula for the specic value of 673.

3n = 675

n = 225

n = ±15

As n ≥ 1, n ≠ −15, so n = 15.

When n = 15, u = 3 × 15 2 = 3 × 225 2 = 673 ✓ Check your solution.

n

b If 524 is a term in the sequence, then

3n 2 = 524

3n = 526

n = 175.333…

n is not an integer, so 524 is not a term in the sequence.

8.1 What comes next? 2 75

Practice 1

1 Find the rst ve terms of each sequence.

a u = 4n 1 for n ≥ 1 b u = 6n + 2 for n ≥ 1
n n

1
2 n

c u = 10 n for n ≥ 1 d u = 2 2 for n ≥ 1
n n

e u = (n + 4)(n 3) for n ≥ 1 f u = 4n 5 for n ≥ 0

n n

25 155 1307 1051

4 3 2

g u = n n + n n + 45 for n ≥ 1
n

24 12 24 12

2 Find the tenth term of the sequence given by u = 5n 3 for n ≥ 1.

n

3 Determine if 54 is a term in the sequence u = 4n 1 for n ≥ 1.

n

4 Determine which term of the sequence u = 3n 5 has value 61.

n

10

5 Find the fteenth term of the sequence given by u = 10 for n ≥ 1.

n

6 Find the value of the fourth term of the sequence given by

u = 2n + 12 for n ≥ 0.
n

7 a Find the term of the sequence u = 2n + 4 that has value 246.

n

b Show that 396 is a term in this sequence.

8 Find the eleventh term of the sequence given by u = 100 for n ≥ 0.

n

Tip

Problem solving

The command

9 Identify which explicit formula, a to f, corresponds to each sequence, i to vi

term identify

requires you to

a u = 4n + 1 for n ≥ 0 i 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …

n
state briey how

b u = 2n + 3 for n ≥ 1 ii 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, …
you have made
n

c u = 5n 4 for n ≥ 1 iii 2, 1, 4, 7, 10, … your decisions.

d u = 3n for n ≥ 1 iv 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, …

n

e u = 3n 2 for n ≥ 0 v 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, …

n

f u = 2n + 1 for n ≥ 0 vi 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, …

n

Describing a sequence using a formula (term-to-term rule)

A recursive formula gives the relationship between consecutive terms.

When you know one term, you can work out the next.

With this recursive formula you are given the value of u :

1

Tip
u = u + 2, u = 1 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n 1

u is the nth term of

u = 1 n

a sequence, so u
n + 1

Substituting n = 1 gives the 2nd term:

is the next term or

u = u + 2
(n + 1)th term.
1 + 1 1

u is the term
u = 1 + 2 = 3
n − 1
2

before the nth term.

Substituting n = 2 gives the 3rd term:

u = u + 2
2 + 1 2

u = 3 + 2 = 5
3

and so on.

27 6 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

Example 2

A sequence has term-to-term rule u = u + 8 for n ≥ 1, and u = 12.

n + 1 n 1

Find the 2nd and 3rd terms of the sequence.

u = 12 The rst term is given with the formula.

1

The 2nd term is found when n = 1.

u = u + 8
2 1

= × 12 + 8

= 6 + 8

= 14

Use the value you just got for u

2
u = u + 8
3 2

to nd the 3rd term.

= × 14 + 8

= 7 + 8

= 15

You can use a GDC to plot explicit and recursive formulae. Here are the

graphs for the formulae in Examples 1 and 2.

1.1 1.1

Tip
u
u
n
n

80 16 Some GDCs use

(4,15.5)

70
u and u rather
15 (3,15)
n n 1
2

60 u = 3 n 2
n
than u and u .
14 n + 1 n

50 1
(2,14)
u u + 8 Inthis example, the
n n 1

40 13 2

30

12

u = u + 8.
20 (1,12)
n n 1

11

10

0 10

n n

0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Practice 2

1 Find the rst ve terms of each sequence.

Tip
a u = 4u 1, u = 1 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n 1

Look for patterns

b u = 2u + 1, u = 2 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n 1

when you work

c u = u + 7, u = −4 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n 1
with sequences.

Do the terms of the

d u = u + 1, u = 3 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n 1

sequence seem to

e u = 2u (1 u ), u = 0.8 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n n 1
increase, decrease,

or bounce around
f u = 4u (1 u ), u = 0.8 for n ≥ 1
n + 1 n n 1

chaotically?

g u = u + 3, u = 4 for n ≥ 2
n n − 1 1

8.1 What comes next? 277

 2 A sequence is given by u = 3 u and u = −3.
n + 1 n 0

Find the rst four terms of the sequence.

Tip

u 1
n

3 A sequence is given by u = , u = 2 for n ≥ 1.

It can be useful
n + 1 1

u
n

to list a fewterms

a Find the rst six terms of the sequence.

to explore an

b Describe any patterns you notice.

unfamiliar sequence.

c Predict the next few terms of the sequence.

Problem solving

4 A sequence is given by u = 2u 1, u = 2 for n ≥ 1.

n + 1 n 1

Find the term of the sequence that has value 257.

5 A sequence is given by u = 3u 2, u = 2 for n ≥ 1.

n + 1 n 1

Find the value of the largest term in the sequence that is less than 10 000.

C The structure of sequences

●
What types of sequence are there?

●
How can you identify sequences?

●
How do you nd a general formula for a sequence?

ATL

Exploration 2

1 For each sequence, write down the rst ve terms.

a = 3n + 7 c = 5n 2
n n

b = 3 2n d = 4n + 5
n n

2 a Copy and complete the diagram for the sequence given by a = 3n + 7,

n

lling in missing terms in the sequence and the rst dierence row.

Sequence 10 13 16 19

The rst dierence

is the dierence
F irst difference 3 3

between consecutive

b Make a similar diagram for the other sequences in step 1

terms.

3 Look at your diagrams.

a Describe anything you notice.

b Compare the rst dierence for each sequence with its explicit

formula. Describe anything you notice. Suggest a relationship

between the explicit formula and the value of the rst dierence.

c What do the explicit formulae of these sequences have in common?

Sequences like the ones in Exploration 2, where the terms increase or decrease

by a constant number, are called linear sequences.

278 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

For a linear sequence, the dierence between consecutive terms is

constant and the explicit formula is of the form u = a + bn

n

Reect and discuss 3

●
If you plotted the terms of a sequence from Exploration 2, what type of

graph would you get?

●
Plot the graph of a = 3n + 7 to check your answer. Plot coordinate pairs
n

as (n, a ).
n

ATL

Exploration 3

1 a Copy and complete this diagram for the sequence given by e = n + n + 5,

n

lling in missing terms in the sequence and the dierence rows.

Sequence 7 11 17 25

The second

dierence is the

F irst difference 4 6

dierence between

consecutive rst

Second difference 2
dierences.

b Make a similar diagram for each of these sequences:

f = n + 5n + 6
n

g = 4 + 5n + n
n

h = n(n + 4) + 1
n

2 Look at the rst and second dierences in your diagrams.

a Describe the dierences between these sequences and the sequences

in Exploration 2.

b Describe anything you notice about the rst and second dierences of

each sequence.

c Describe anything that the explicit formulae for these sequences have

in common.

For a quadratic sequence, the second dierence is constant and the

explicit formula is of the form u = a + bn + cn

n

Reect and discuss 4

●
The sequences in Exploration 3 are quadratic sequences. What is the

highest power of n in a quadratic sequence?

2
●
Plot the graph of the sequence e = n + n + 5. What type of graph do
n

quadratic sequences produce?

●
Other than linear and quadratic sequences, what other types of

sequence can you describe?

8.1 What comes next? 279

Practice 3

1 By constructing a diagram, show that the sequence 6, 13, 23, 36, 52, 71, ...

is a quadratic sequence.

2 Complete these diagrams by lling in any missing terms in the sequence and

in the dierence rows.

a 6 11 18 27
Sequence 3

F irst difference 3

Second difference 2

Problem solving

Sequence 11
b

F irst difference 4

Second difference 3 3 3

c Sequence 15

F irst difference 8

Second difference 4 5 6

3 Determine whether each sequence is linear, quadratic or neither.

a 4, 11, 18, 25, 32, … b 104, 97, 90, 83, 76, …

c 91, 84, 75, 64, 51, … d 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, …

e 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, … f 4, 12, 36, 108, 324, …

A general formula for a sequence is a rule that can be used to generate

each term. Usually the general formula is an explicit formula.

Example 3

Find a general formula for u , the nth term of the sequence 11, 17, 23, 29, …
n

Sequence 11 17 23 29

Find the rst dierences.

F irst difference 6 6 6

The rst dierence is 6, so compare to the sequence u = 6n The rst dierence is constant
n

sothis is a linear sequence.

n 1 2 3 4

u 11 17 23 29
n

Look for a pattern connecting u and 6n

+ 5
n

6n 6 12 18 24 Adding 5 to 6n gives u
n

The general formula is u = 6n + 5.

n

2 8 0 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

Notice that the general formula you nd describes the terms you were given.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the pattern will continue. To know that, you

need more information about the sequence, for example, if it is linear.

Practice 4

1 Find a general formula to describe the terms in each sequence.

ATL Tip

a a = 8, a = 16, a = 24, a = 32
1 2 3 4

You can check your

b b = 14, b = 17, b = 20, b = 23 general formula is

1 2 3 4

correct by working

c c = −14, c = −28, c = −42, c = −56

1 2 3 4

out the rst few

d d = 49, d = 38, d = 27, d = 16

1 2 3 4 terms.

e e = 11, e = 29, e = 47, e = 65

1 2 3 4

f f = 17, f = 17.5, f = 18, f = 18.5

1 2 3 4

1 2 1

g g = 8 , g = 7 , g = 7, g = 6
1 2 3 4

3 3 3

h h = −1.4, h = 3.2, h = 7.8, h = 12.4

1 2 3 4

i i = 15, i = −3, i = −21, i = −39

1 2 3 4

2 Each set of terms below is part of a linear sequence.

Find a general formula describing the terms of each sequence.

a a = 9, a = 11, a = 13, a = 15
5 6 7 8

b b = 17, b = 14, b = 11, b = 8

11 12 13 14

c c = 13.5, c = 14, c = 14.5, c = 15

9 10 11 12

d d = 7, d = 15, d = 23, d = 31
5 7 9 11

Problem solving

3 A string of decorative lights are wired as shown.

a Explain why it takes 500 cm of

cable to connect the rst bulb,

and then another 20 cm to

connect the next bulb.

10 cm
b Let d be the total length of cable
n

needed to connect the nth bulb.

Find a general formula for d 250 cm

n

4 A railway train is stored overnight in

a depot which is 6 km from its starting

10 cm
10 cm

station. It then spends all day moving

etc.

from its starting station, back and forth

along a section of track 14 km long, so

in each complete journey it travels 28 km.

a Explain why after its rst complete journey of the day it has travelled 34 km.

b Find a general formula for the distance it has travelled after n journeys

up and down the track.

c The train can travel 400 km before refuelling.

Find the number of complete journeys it can make before refuelling.

8.1 What comes next? 2 81

5 The rst ve terms of a linear sequence are 3, 4, 11, 18, 25.

a Find the 100th term of the sequence.

b Show that 102 is a member of the sequence and nd its term number.

6 A sequence has formula u = u + 5 and u = −1.

n + 1 n 1

Find a formula for the nth term of the sequence.

Problem solving

7 A linear sequence has terms u = 25 and u = 70.

10 15

a Find the dierence between consecutive terms.

b Write down the value of i u and ii u

9 1

8 A linear sequence begins 191, 173, 155, …

Find the rst term that is less than 65.

9 A linear sequence has rst term 108 and second term 103.

Find its rst negative term.

The rst step in nding the general formula for a sequence is to identify the

type of sequence. Having done that, you can conjecture a formula and modify

it until it describes the sequence exactly.

For the sequence 2, 2, 0, 4, 10, 18, 28, 40 the rst and second dierences are:

Sequence 28 40
2 2 0 4 10 18

F irst difference 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Second difference 2 2 2 2 2 2

The second dierence is constant so this is a quadratic sequence and is related

2 2

to the sequence for n . Add a row for n to the table:

n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

u 2 2 0 4 10 18 28 40
n

n 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64

Add another row for the dierences between n and u

n

n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

u 2 2 0 4 10 18 28 40
n

n 1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64

n u 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24
n

n u gives multiples of 3. This is a linear sequence with general formula 3n

n

2 2

So n u = 3n and rearranging gives u = n 3n.

n n

Check: the rst ve terms of u = n 3n are 2, 2, 0, 4, 10 ✓

n

2 8 2 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

Practice 5

1 Find a general formula for each sequence:

a 4, 7, 12, 19, 28, 39, … b 7, 4, 1, 8, 17, 28, …

c 3.5, 6.5, 11.5, 18.5, 27.5, 38.5, … d 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42, …

e 1, 0, 3, 8, 15, 24, … f 6, 14, 24, 36, 50, 66, …

g 0.5, 1, 4.5, 10, 17.5, 27, … h 1, 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, …

i 3, 9, 17, 27, 39, 53, … j 13, 22, 33, 46, 61, 78, …

k 0, 1.5, 5, 10.5, 18, 27.5, … l 4, 3, 0, 5, 12, 21, …

2 A quadratic sequence begins 18, 20, 20, 18, 14, 8, 0, …

a Find a general formula for the sequence.

b Use your formula to predict the 15th term of the sequence.

3 A quadratic sequence begins 3, 4, 3, 0, 5, 12, …

a Find a formula for the nth term.

b Find the value of the 20th term of the sequence.

c Find the value of u

50

4 A quadratic sequence begins 25, 38, 49, 58, 65, 70, ….

a Show that the 16th term of the sequence is negative.

b Show that the 17th term is positive.

c Explain why all the subsequent terms will be positive.

Problem solving

5 A quadratic sequence begins 98, 100, 100, 98, 94, …

Find its rst negative term.

ATL

Exploration 4

1 Construct dierence diagrams for these quadratic sequences.

a u = 3n , n ≥ 1
n

b u = 2n + 4, n ≥ 1
n

c u = 5n n, n ≥ 1
n

d u = 2n + 3n, n ≥ 1
n

e u = n + 7, n ≥ 1
n

f u = 2 4n , n ≥ 1
n

2 Look at the dierence diagrams.

The coecient of

a Describe the relationship between the explicit formula and the second 2

n is the number

dierence.
in front of it. The

2
coecient of
b Suggest a rule linking the coecient of n to the value of the second

3n is3.
dierence.

Continued on next page

8.1 What comes next? 2 83

 3 Use your rule to predict the second dierence of the sequence with formula:

a u = 7n – 2n + 1
n

b u = 3 8n
n

c u = n – 4n + 2
n

Check your predictions by constructing a dierence diagram for the rst

six terms of each sequence.

Example 4

Find a general formula for the nth term of the quadratic sequence which

begins u = 4, u = 12, u = 26, u = 46, u = 72, u = 104.

1 2 3 4 5 6

4 12 26 46 72 104

F irst difference 8 14 20 26 32

The constant second

Second difference 6 6 6 6 dierence is 6, so the

coecient of n is 6 ÷ 2 = 3.

n 1 2 3 4 5 6

u 4 12 26 46 72 104
n

Write out the values of 3n and

2

3n 3 12 27 48 75 108

comparethem to the values of u .

n

u 3n 1 0 1 2 3 4
n

Find the general formula for the linear

The sequence 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ... has nth term 2 n.

sequence 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 , …

Therefore, u 3n = 2 n
n

Therefore u = 3n n + 2
Rearrange.
n

In a quadratic sequence, the coecient of n in the general formula is

always half the value of the second dierence.

Practice 6

1 Find a general formula for the nth term of each sequence.

a 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, … b 0.5, 2, 4.5, 8, 12.5, …

c 3, 12, 27, 48, 75, … d 3, 9, 19, 33, 51, …

e 1, 8, 23, 44, 71, … f 4.5, 0, 7.5, 18, 31.5, …

g 7, 24, 51, 88, 135, … h 2, 7, 15, 26, 40, …

i 2, 6.5, 13.5, 23, 35, … j 6, 17, 34, 57, 86, …

k 1, 1, 7, 17, 31, … l 3, 8, 15.5, 25.5, 38, …

2 A quadratic sequence begins 10, 16, 26, …

a Find the next three terms.

b Find a formula for the nth term.

2 8 4 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

Problem solving

Draw a dierence

3 The nth triangular number, T , is the number of dots in a triangular grid of

n
diagram.

dots n dots wide.

n = 1 n = 2 n = 3 n = 4

a Write down the value of T

4

b Find the value of T

5

c Find a general formula for T

n

d Use your formula to nd the value of T and T . Draw diagrams to check
7 8

your answers.

e Find the value of T

15

f Verify that T is a square number.

49

4 A quadratic sequence has rst term 4 and second term 10.

The coecient of n in its general formula is 2.

Find the next three terms.

5 A quadratic sequence begins 3, x, 29, 51, …

Find the value of x

Objective: D. Applying mathematics in real-life contexts

ii. select appropriate mathematical strategies when solving authentic real-life

Tip

situations.

Think about

‘Select appropriate mathematical strategies’ means, for example, that it is up to you

whether you need to

how you tackle Q6.

dene any variables,

draw diagrams, and

6 In the group stage of a volleyball competition, all the teams in the group

make any lists or

have to play each other. When there are four teams in a group, six games

tables.

are needed for each team to play each of the other teams exactly once.

Find the number of games needed for each team to play each of the other

teams exactly once in a group of n teams.

D Continuing sequences

●
Can you always predict the next terms of a sequence?

ATL

Exploration 5

In these circles, the dots on the circumference are connected by line

segments, and this divides the circle into regions.

n = 1 n = 2 n = 3 n = 4 n = 5

The rst diagram has 1 dot, 1 region.

The second diagram has 2 dots, 2 regions.

Continued on next page

8.1 What comes next? 2 8 5

The third diagram has 3 dots, 4 regions.

1 Write down the number of regions for n = 4 and n = 5.

2 Predict the number of regions you would expect when n = 6. Give

reasons for your answer.

3 Here are two sensible ways you could draw the circle for n = 6.

a What is the dierence between the number of regions in each diagram?

b Explain which diagram you think is the correct way to continue the

sequence. Explain why.

Reect and discuss 5

●
Do either of the diagrams t your prediction? If not, can you form a

prediction that does hold true? Does it help to look at the next term in

the sequence?

●
What are the diculties in trying to nd a general formula for the

sequence in Exploration 5?

Summary

● ●
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. For a quadratic sequence, the second

Each number in the list is called a term dierence is constant and the explicit formula

is of the form u = a + bn + cn
●
An explicit formula uses the term’s position n

2
number, n, to calculate its value. ●
In a quadratic sequence, the coecient of n in

the general formula is always half the value of

●
A recursive formula gives the relationship

the second dierence.

between consecutive terms. When you know

one term, you can work out the next.

●
The triangular numbers describe the number

●
A general formula for a sequence is a rule that of dots needed to make simple triangular grids.

can be used to generate each term. Usually the They form a quadratic sequence with general

general formula is an explicit formula.

formula .

●
Sequences where the terms increase or

decrease by a constant number, are called

linear sequences.

●
For a linear sequence, the dierence between

n = 1 n = 2 n = 3 n = 4
consecutive terms is constant and the explicit

formula is of the form u = a + bn

n

2 8 6 8 Patterns
 A LG E B R A

Mixed practice

1 Find a formula for the nth term of each 9 A quadratic sequence begins 3, x, 15, 25.5, …

sequence.

Find the value of x

a 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, …

10 Consider the honeycomb patterns below, which

b 42, 35, 28, 21, …

have side length 1, 2 and 3 hexagons respectively.

c 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, 37, …

d 3, 8, 15, 24, 35, …

e 2.5, 7, 11.5, 16, 20.5, …

1 2 3

f 0.5, 4, 13.5, 28, 47.5, …

g 9, 13, 13, 9, 1, …

h 6, 7, 7, 6, 4, …

2 A linear sequence begins 14, 17, 20, …

Find the side length of the rst pattern that

Find its hundredth term.

contains over 1000 hexagons.

3 A sequence has formula u = u 5 and u = 12.

n n 1 1
11 In a football stadium, the rst row of seats has

a Write down the rst ve terms. 610 seats. The second row has 620 seats, the

third has 630 seats, and so on. The stadium

b Find a formula for the nth term of the

sells seats from the middle of a row outwards.

sequence.

Each row must be completely sold before they

sell tickets for the next row.

Problem solving

a Find the number of seats that can be sold if

4 A sequence has formula u = u + 7 and u = 15. only the front two rows are used.
n + 1 n 0

a Write down the rst ve terms of the sequence. b Find the number of seats that can be sold if

only the front three rows are used.

b Show that 85 is a member of the sequence.

c Create a formula for the total number of

5 A linear sequence begins 18, 33, 48, ...

seats that can be sold if the front n rows

Find the rst term greater than 1000.

areused.

6 A quadratic sequence begins 4, 10, 18, 28, …

d Hence nd the number of seats that can be

sold if the front 30 rows are used.

a Find a formula for the nth term.

b Write down the value of the seventh term. e Find the number of rows needed for the rst

10 000 tickets.

c Show that 460 is a member of the sequence

and nd its term number. 12 A 12-storey tall building has an elevator that

stops at every oor.

20
7 A quadratic sequence begins 2, 4, , 10, 14, …

The elevator takes 8 seconds to travel one oor,

a Find a formula for u , the nth term of the

n

14 seconds to travel two oors, 20 seconds

sequence.

totravel three oors and 26 seconds to travel

b Find the value of u

20 four oors.

Let T be the time taken to travel n oors.

n

Problem solving

a Show that T forms a linear sequence.

n

8 A linear sequence has terms u = 6 and u = 27.

3 6

b Find a formula for T

n

a Find the dierence between successive terms.

c Find the greatest number of oors that the

b Write down the value of u

elevator could travel in under a minute.
7

8.1 What comes next? 2 87