GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

10.3 The nth term of a linear sequence — Practise with help

Try each item before opening its hints. Reveal the full working when you want to check your reasoning.

Warm-up: remember

  1. Find the common difference: 6,10,14,…6,10,14,\ldots.
  2. Evaluate 3(4)+23(4)+2.
  3. Write the 3rd term of 2n+12n+1.
Check your warm-up
  1. 44.
  2. 1414.
  3. 77.

Practise with help

1. Find the nth term of 6,9,12,15,…6,9,12,15,\ldots.

Hint

The common difference is 33, so start with 3n3n.

One step

The first term is 6; 3(1)=33(1)=3, so add 3.

Full working

The rule is 3n+33n+3.

2. Find the 12th term of 4n−14n-1.

Hint

Substitute n=12n=12.

One step

4(12)−1=48−14(12)-1=48-1.

Full working

The 12th term is 4747.

3. Find the nth term of 14,10,6,2,…14,10,6,2,\ldots.

Hint

The common difference is −4-4, so start with −4n-4n.

One step

At position 1 this gives −4-4; add 18 to reach 14.

Full working

The rule is −4n+18-4n+18.

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