MINI LESSON
Sequences
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers that follows a pattern.
In an arithmetic sequence, the difference between consecutive terms is constant.
In a geometric sequence, the ratio between consecutive terms is constant.
You can identify a sequence type by checking whether it changes by repeated addition/subtraction or repeated multiplication/division.
Question 1
In an arithmetic sequence, the first term is \(4\) and the third term is \(-2\). What is the common difference?
Question 2
A geometric sequence is shown below. \(\frac{1}{2}, 2, 8, 32, \ldots\) What is the common ratio?
Question 3
The third term in a sequence is \(25\) and the fifth term is \(625\). Which number could be the common ratio of the sequence?
Question 4
A geometric sequence with a common ratio of \(-3\) is