1

Guess my rule! - 1
Problem
The sequence 1, 4, . . . might be continued in many ways. Here
are four possibilities and the rules that they follow.
1,
1,
1,
1,

4,
4,
4,
4,

7, 10, . . .
16, 64, . . .
27, 256, . . .
1, 4, . . .

an = 3n 2, an arithmetic sequence
an = 4n1 , a geometric sequence
an = n n
an = 4? (This solution has been left
unnished. You may gure out the missing
part as you complete the problems below!)

For each sequence, think of at least two rules that might describe the sequence. State the rules and show how the sequence
continues. Express your rules algebraically if you can.
1.

0, 1, . . .

2.

1, 1, . . .

3.

2, 12 , . . .

4.

10, 100, . . .

5.

10, 101, . . .

6.

1 1
, ,
3 2

...

Compare your ndings with those of your classmates. Compile

a class list of solutions for each item.

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

c EDC 2001

Each number in the sequence is

an , with n representing the
position in the sequence. Another
way to write the rst formula is
f (n) = 3n 2.

Guess my rule! - 1: Hints

Hints
Try to start out with arithmetic and geometric sequences (unless
that is impossible). Then let your fantasy guide you in nding
more solutions.

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

c EDC 2001

Guess my rule! - 1: Answers

Answers
See solutions.

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

c EDC 2001

Guess my rule! - 1: Solutions

Solutions
Possible solutions are given for each.
1.
0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
0, 1, 3, 7, . . .
0, 1, 0, 1 . . .
0, 1, 12 , 1 . . .
0, 1, log10 19, log10 28, . . .
0, 1, 0, 1, . . .
0, 1, 10, 11, . . .

an
an
an
an
an
an
an

=n1
= 2n1 1
n
= 1+(1)
2
n1
= n+(1)
n+1
=log10 (9n 8)
=sin( 2 (n 1))
= n 1 (base 2)

2.
1, 1, 3, 5, . . .
1, 1, 1, 1, . . .
1, 1, 3, 7, . . .
1, 1, 2.5, 3.75, . . .
1, 1, 1, 1, . . .

an
an
an
an
an

= 3 2n
= (1)n+1
= 1 2n1
= n + 22n
=cos((n 1))

3.
2, 12 , 1, 2.5, . . .
2, 12 , 29 , 18 , . . .
1
2, 12 , 18 , 32
,...
1
1
2, 2 , 2, 2 , . . .

an
an
an
an

= 3.5 1.5n
= 2n2
= 232n
n+1
= 2(1)

4.
10, 100, 190, 280, . . .
10, 100, 1000, 10000, . . .
10, 100, 10000, 100000000, . . .
10, 100, 661.5, 2642.08, . . .
5.

an
an
an
an

= 90n 80
= 10n
n1
= 10(2 )
6 +6n
= n72n
102n

10, 101, 192, 283, . . .

an = 91n 81
10, 101, 1020.1, 10303.01, . . .
an = 10( 101
)n1
10
an = . . . any answer from 1 plus
any answer from 4!

Work out two or three examples.

6.
1
,
3
1
,
3
1
,
3
1
,
3

1 2
, ,
2 3
1 3
, ,
2 4
1 3
, ,
2 5
1
, 1,
2

5
,...
6
9
,...
8
2
,...
3

an
an
an
undened, 1, . . . an

Problems with a Point: January 16, 2001

= 13 + 16 (n 1)
= 13 ( 32 )n1
n
= n+2
1
= 4n

As long as n = 4
c EDC 2001