Recognising special number sequences
I can recognise a special number sequence.
Recognising special number sequences
I can recognise a special number sequence.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- You can identify an arithmetic sequence by checking for a common difference between terms.
- You can identify a geometric sequence by checking for a common ratio between terms.
- You can identify a special number sequence if you can identify how to generate the sequence.
Common misconception
After becoming very familiar with arithmetic sequences pupils can find the difference between the first two terms and just assume the sequence is arithmetic.
Explore a large number of geometric and arithmetic sequences and see if pupils can articulate how they check if a sequence is geometric. They might say the terms of the sequence grow more quickly (for some geometric sequences).
Keywords
Arithmetic/linear sequence - An arithmetic (or linear) sequence is a sequence where the difference between successive terms is constant.
Geometric sequence - A geometric sequence is a sequence with a constant multiplicative relationship between successive terms.
Triangular - A triangular number is a number that can be represented by a pattern of dots arranged into an equilateral triangle. The term number is the number of dots in a side of the triangle
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
$$a , 2a, 4a, 8a, ...$$ -
geometric sequence with common ratio 2
$$a , 2a, 4a, 7a, ...$$ -
sequence which starts by adding $$a$$ with second difference $$+a$$
$$2a, 4a, 6a, 8a, ...$$ -
linear sequence with common difference $$2a$$
$$3a, 3a^2, 3a^3,$$$$3a^4, ...$$ -
geometric sequence with common ratio $$a$$
$$a+1, 2a+2,$$$$3a + 3, 4a + 4, ...$$ -
linear sequence with common difference $$a + 1$$
