Finding the general expression of the nth term

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the general expression for a sequence of numbers starting from the 1st term, with each term being the sum of the previous term and a constant difference. The conversation suggests forming a new sequence from the differences between successive terms and using the formula term(n) = term(0) + 4*(n-1) to find the general expression for the sequence.
  • #1
superconduct
31
1

Homework Statement


Given successive terms of numbers starting from the 1st term:
11, 21, 35, 53, 75, 101,...
What is the general expression of the nth term? where n is positive integer

Homework Equations


/

The Attempt at a Solution


Can't find a good attempt.
 
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  • #2
Could this be an arithmetic or geometric sequence??
 
  • #3
superconduct said:

Homework Statement


Given successive terms of numbers starting from the 1st term:
11, 21, 35, 53, 75, 101,...
What is the general expression of the nth term? where n is positive integer

Homework Equations


/

The Attempt at a Solution


Can't find a good attempt.

Form a new sequence from the differences between successive terms.
 
  • #4
sorry I don't know...

how will you determine a general expression for it in this problem without trial and error?

is it like finding a needle in the ocean?
 
  • #5
look at the terms, then form a sequences of differences and what do you get?

10 , 14, 18, 22, 26 ...

look at the differences as a sequence and what do you see?

write an expression to generate the differences sequence

term(n)= term(0) + 4*(n-1) where n=1, 2, 3, 4...

then write an expression to generate your sequence using the differences expression

TERM(n) = TERM(0) + ...
 
  • #6
Ouw... I think you can use the Sn to calculate the Un...
 

1. What is the general expression of the nth term?

The general expression of the nth term is a formula that can be used to find any term in a sequence or series, given its position in the sequence. It is typically denoted as an or un.

2. How do you find the general expression of the nth term?

To find the general expression of the nth term, you must first identify the pattern in the given sequence or series. This can be done by looking at the differences between consecutive terms or by using other mathematical techniques. Once the pattern is identified, you can write a formula to represent it, using n as the variable for the position of the term.

3. Why is it important to find the general expression of the nth term?

Finding the general expression of the nth term allows us to easily find any term in a sequence or series without having to list out all the previous terms. This is particularly useful when dealing with large or infinite sequences, as it saves time and effort. It also helps us to better understand the underlying pattern or rule governing the sequence.

4. Can the general expression of the nth term be used for any type of sequence or series?

Yes, the general expression of the nth term can be used for any type of sequence or series, as long as there is a consistent pattern or rule governing the terms.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when finding the general expression of the nth term?

Some common mistakes when finding the general expression of the nth term include assuming incorrect patterns, forgetting to include the variable n in the formula, and not checking the formula for accuracy by plugging in different values of n. It is important to carefully analyze the sequence and double-check the formula to ensure that it accurately represents the pattern.

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