Form 1 [CHAPTER 13: SEQUENCES]

Chapter 13: Sequences

13.1 Term-to-term rule
Introduction
Sequences are all around you.
Door numbers follow a sequence

v A sequence is a set of numbers or objects that form a pattern.

v Each number in a sequence is called a term.

Example of a sequence:

3, 9, 15, 21, 27,

The first term is 3 and the third term is 15.

The dots show that the sequence goes on forever. (to infinity)
v The terms of a sequence are related by a rule.

Term to term rule

A term-to-term rule tells you how to find the next term form the
previous term.
Example 1: Describe the rule for each of the following sequences in words.
a) 3, 9, 15, 21, 27,
Start at 3 and add 6.
b) 25,21,17,13,
Start at 25 and subtract 4.

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c) 2, 4, 8, 16, 32,
Start at 2 and multiply by 2.

Example 2: Find the value of each unknown letter.

i)

5, 10, 15, a, b,

This sequence starts from 5 and adds 5.

Answer: a is 20 and b is 25.

ii)

6, 10, 14, 18, c, d,

The sequence starts at 6 and adds 4.

Answer: c is 22 and d is 26.

Example 3: Generate the first five terms of the sequence described by these term to
term rules:

1st term(s)
5

50000

1, 1

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Term to term rule

Sequence

add 3

5, 8, 11, 14, 17,

subtract 2

4, 2, 0, 2, 4,

double

divide by 10

add the two previous terms

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13.2 Position-to-term rule

A position to term rule tells you how to find a term from its position
in the sequence.
Example 1: Write down the first five terms of these sequences:
a) Each term is the term number, multiplied by 5, plus 1.

Term Number:

Sequence

11 16

21

26

Working: 1st term: 1 x 5 = 5 + 1 = 6

2nd term: 2 x 5 = 10 + 1 = 11
3rd term: 3 x 5 = 15 + 1 = 16
4th term: 4 x 5 = 20 + 1 = 21
5th term: 5 x 5 = 25 + 1 = 26
What is the term to term rule?
Start from 6 and add 5.
b) Each term is the term number, multiplied by 2, plus 5
Term Number

Sequence

11

13

15

Working: 1st term: 1 x 2 = 2 + 5 = 7

2nd term: 2 x 2 = 4 + 5 = 9
3rd term: 3 x 2 = 6 + 5 = 11
4th term: 4 x 2 = 8 + 5 = 13
5th term: 5 x 2 = 10 + 5 = 15
What is the term to term rule?
Start from 7 and add 2.
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Are you noticing a relationship between term to term rules and position to term
rules?

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13.3 Sequences in diagrams

Sequences often occur in diagrams.
Here is a pattern made with matches.

a) Draw the next two patterns:

b) Complete the following table:

Pattern

No. of
matches

12

15

c) How many matches are being added on each time?

3 matches each time.

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d) Write down the term to term rule and position to term rule.
Term to term rule
Start from 3 and add 3 each time

Position to term rule

Multiply the term number by 3

You can generate any term of a sequence if you know the position to term rule.

e) How many matches are needed for:

a) the 6th pattern?
6 3 = 18
b) the 10 th pattern?
10 3 = 30
c) the 100th pattern?
100 3 = 300

Example 2:
Here is a sequence of tile patterns.

i)

Draw the next two patterns.

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ii)

Complete the following table:

Pattern

No. of edges

10

iii)

Write down the term to term rule and position to term rule.

Term to term rule

iv)

How many edges are there in:

a) the 6th pattern?

b) the 10 th pattern?

c) the 100th pattern?

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Position to term rule