Math

Arithmetic sequences.

Definition

A sequence of numbers where the difference between consecutive terms is constant. This constant difference is called the common difference (d). The nth term can be found with a formula, and the sum of the first n terms has a closed-form expression.

Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, ... is arithmetic with common difference d = 3
  • 2 Finding the 50th term of 7, 11, 15, 19, ... → a₅₀ = 7 + (49)(4) = 203
Key Fact

aₙ = a₁ + (n − 1)d; Sum: Sₙ = n/2 · (a₁ + aₙ)

Studied in

1 unit use this concept.