Identifying and writing down sequences in math is pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
A sequence is simply a list of numbers arranged in a special order. There are two main ways to describe a sequence: explicitly and recursively.
Explicit Definition: This is when you use a formula to describe the sequence. For example, we can represent the sequence of even numbers like this: (a_n = 2n), where (n) starts at 1. With this formula, you can easily find any number in the sequence by plugging in different values for (n).
Recursive Definition: In this case, each number is based on the one that comes before it. A famous example is the Fibonacci sequence, which is defined like this:
When we write a sequence, we usually use the notation (a_n). Here, (n) tells us the position of the number in the sequence. For example, (a_1) is the first number, (a_2) is the second number, and so on.
Learning about sequences is just the beginning. They lead to ideas like series, where we add up the numbers in a sequence. That’s where things get really fun!
Identifying and writing down sequences in math is pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
A sequence is simply a list of numbers arranged in a special order. There are two main ways to describe a sequence: explicitly and recursively.
Explicit Definition: This is when you use a formula to describe the sequence. For example, we can represent the sequence of even numbers like this: (a_n = 2n), where (n) starts at 1. With this formula, you can easily find any number in the sequence by plugging in different values for (n).
Recursive Definition: In this case, each number is based on the one that comes before it. A famous example is the Fibonacci sequence, which is defined like this:
When we write a sequence, we usually use the notation (a_n). Here, (n) tells us the position of the number in the sequence. For example, (a_1) is the first number, (a_2) is the second number, and so on.
Learning about sequences is just the beginning. They lead to ideas like series, where we add up the numbers in a sequence. That’s where things get really fun!