Patterns - At A Glance

Evaluating terms of a sequence, given the formula, isn't so bad. Going the other way around is a little trickier. It can be a bit like juggling buzzing chainsaws while riding a unicycle and chewing gum.

Okay, it's not that hard. Given the terms, how do you figure out the formula?

Sample Problem

Write down the formula for the general term in the sequence

2,4,6,8,10,...

starting with n = 1.

Answer.

Let's make a table so we can see the relationship between n and an.

The second number in each row is obtained by doubling the first number.

The formula for the general term is

an = 2n.

You should be very familiar with the following common sequences and the definitions of their general terms.

  • The sequence of natural numbers an = n:
    1, 2, 3, 4,...
      
  • The sequence of squares an = n2:
    1, 4, 9, 16, 25,...
      
  • The sequence of cubes an = n3:
    1, 8, 27, 64,...
      
  • The sequence of even numbers an = 2n:
    2, 4, 6, 8,...
      
  • The sequence of odd numbers an = 2n – 1:
    1, 3, 5, 7,...
    We can also write this sequence as an = 2n + 1 if we start with n = 0 instead of n = 1.
      
  • The sequence of powers of 2 where an = 2n:
    2, 4, 8, 16, 32,...

Most people don't want to reinvent the wheel, and mathematicians are no exception. Many sequences are built by making slight adjustments to more familiar sequences. Adjustments might include adding, subtracting, or multiplying by a constant.

In most of the sequences we've looked at so far, n only shows up once. There's only one occurrence of n in the formula an = n2 or an = 2n.

The most complicated general term we've seen is an = n2 + n.

When terms get more complicated, finding a formula for the nth term can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube. Just like the Rubik's cube, we have to look at individual parts to figure out the general formula.

Here's a useful trick. When you get to Taylor series, you'll need to be comfortable with sequences whose terms have alternating signs.

Sample Problem

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

-1, 1, -1, 1,...

starting at n = 1.

Answer.

If we raise (-1) to an odd power, we get -1. If we raise (-1) to an even power, we get + 1. We could think of the sequence

-1, 1, -1, 1,...

as

(-1)1, (-1)2, (-1)3, (-1)4, ...

Then the formula for the general term is

an = (-1)n.

Sample Problem

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

1, -1, 1, -1,...

starting at n = 1.

Answer.

There are (at least) two answers. We can think of this sequence as

(-1)2,(-1)3,(-1)4,(-1)5,...

in which case the general term is

an = (-1)n + 1.

Or we can think of the sequence as

(-1)0,(-1)1,(-1)2,(-1)3,...

in which case the general term is

an = (-1)n – 1.

Either formula is right.

If the terms of a sequence have alternating signs, the formula for the general term will have a factor of (-1) raised to some power.

Using this trick is simple. To find the formula for such a sequence, first ignore the alternating signs and find the formula you would have if all terms were positive. Then multiply by (-1)n or (-1)n + 1 to account for the signs.

Next, we will teach you how to amaze your friends by levitating six inches off the floor.

Example 1

Write down the formula for the general term in the sequence

2, 5, 10, 17, 26,...

starting with n = 1.


Example 2

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

0, 2, 6, 12, 20,...

starting with n = 1.


Example 3

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

starting with n = 1.


Example 4

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

starting with n = 1.


Example 5

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

2, -4, 8, -16, 32,....

starting at n = 1.


Example 6

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

starting at n = 1.


Example 7

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence

starting at n = 1.


Exercise 1

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

3, 4, 5, 6,...


Exercise 2

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

4, 8, 12, 16,...


Exercise 3

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

5, 9, 13, 17,...


Exercise 4

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

0, 3, 8, 15, 24,...


Exercise 5

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

3, 6, 9, 12, 15,...


Exercise 6

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

2, 5, 8, 11, 14,...


Exercise 7

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

-1, -2, -3, -4,...


Exercise 8

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

9, 19, 29, 39,...


Exercise 9

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

9, 18, 27, 36,...


Exercise 10

Write the formula for the general term of the sequence. Assume the first term of the sequence corresponds to n = 1.

2, 8, 18, 32, 50,...


Exercise 11

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence. The sequence starts with n = 1.


Exercise 12

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence. The sequence starts with n = 1.


Exercise 13

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence. The sequence starts with n = 1.


Exercise 14

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence. The sequence starts with n = 1.


Exercise 15

Find a formula for the general term of the sequence. The sequence starts with n = 1.


Exercise 16

Find a formula for the general term of each sequence. Assume each sequence starts with n = 1.

2, -4, 6, -8, 10,...


Exercise 17

Find a formula for the general term of each sequence. Assume each sequence starts with n = 1.

-3, 6, -9, 12, -15,...


Exercise 18

Find a formula for the general term of each sequence. Assume each sequence starts with n = 1.

-1, 3, -5, 7,...