A sequence in which a constant (d)

can be added to each term to get

the next term is called an
Arithmetic Sequence.
The constant (d) is called the
Common Difference.
To find the common difference (d),
subtract any term from one that
follows it.
a1 a2 a3 a4 a5

2 5 8 11 14

3 3 3 3
 Find the first term and the
common difference of each
arithmetic sequence.

1.) 4,9,14,19, 24
4
Common difference (d): a2 a1 = 9 4 = 5

2.) 34, 27, 20,13,6, 1, 8,....

34
Common difference (d): -7

BE CAREFUL: ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE

SURE THE DIFFERENCE IS THE SAME
BETWEEN EACH TERM !
 Try this!

Determine whether the sequence is arithmetic or

nonarithmetic. If it is arithmetic, find the common
difference and the next two terms.

1. 30, 26, 22, 18, 14, 6. -15, -7, 1, 9, 17,

2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. 10, 8, 6, 4, 2,
3. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 8. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31,
4. 1, 3, 9, 27, 81, 9. 1, 3/2, 2, 5/2, 3,
5. -6, -2, 2, 6, 10, 10. 1, 6, 12, 19, 27,
Now you try!
Find the first term and the common difference of each of
these arithmetic sequences.
a) 1, -4, -9, -14, .

b) 11, 23, 35, 47, .

c) 3x-8, x-8, -x-8, -3x-8

d) s-4, 3s-3, 5s-2, 7s-1, ..

Answers with solutions
a) 1, -4, -9, -14, .

b) 11, 23, 35, 47, .

c) 3x-8, x-8, -x-8, -3x-8

d) s-4, 3s-3, 5s-2, 7s-1, ..

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by:

The last # in the The position

First
sequence/or the # the term is in
term The common
you are looking for
difference
 Find the 14th term of the
arithmetic sequence
4, 7, 10, 13,

an = a + (n 1) d
a14 = 4 (14 1) 3 You are
4 (13)3 looking for
the term!
4 39
43 The 14th term in this sequence
is the number 43!
Now you try!
Find the 10th and 25th term given the following information. Make sure to derive
the general formula first and then list what you have been provided.

a) 1, 7, 13, 19 .

b) x+10, x+7, x+4, x+1, .

c) The first term is 3 and the common difference is -21

d) The second term is 8 and the common difference is 3

Answers with solutions
a=1 and d = a2 - a1 = 7 1 = 6
a) 1, 7, 13, 19 . .
tn=a+(n-1)d = 1 + (n-1) 6 = 1+6n-6 So tn = 6n-5
t10 = 6(10) 5 = 55
t25 = 6(25)-5 = 145
b) x+10, x+7, x+4, x+1,. a = x+10 and d = a2 - a1 = x+7-(x+10) = -3

tn=a+(n-1)d = x+10 + (n-1)(-3) = x+10-3n+3 So tn= x-3n+13

t10 = x -3(10)+13 = x - 17
t25 = x -3(25)+13 = x - 62

c) The first term is 3 and the a=3 and d = -21

common difference is -21
tn=a+(n-1)d = 3 + (n-1) -21 = 3-21n+21 So tn= 24-21n
t10 = 24-21(10) = -186 t25 = 24-21(25) = -501

d) The second term is 8 a=8-3 =5 and d =3

and the common
difference is 3 tn=a+(n-1)d = 5 + (n-1) 3 = 5+3n-3 So tn = 3n+2
t10 = 3(10) +2 = 32 t25 = 3(25)+2 = 77
 Find the 14th term of the arithmetic
sequence with first term of 5 and
the common difference is 6.
a = 5 and d = -6
You are looking for
the term! List which
variables from the

a14 = 5 (14 1) -6
general term are
provided!

= 5 + (13) * -6
= 5 + -78
= -73
The 14th term in this sequence
is the number -73!
 In the arithmetic sequence
4,7,10,13,, which term has a
value of 301?

301 4 (n 1)3 You are

301 4 3n 3 looking
301 1 3n for n!
300 3n
100 n The 100th term in this
sequence is 301!
 In an arithmetic sequence, 10th term is 33 and
22nd term is 3. What are the first four terms
of the sequence?
a10=33 Use what you know!
a22= -3

HMMM! Two equations you can solve!

SOLVE: 33 = a+9d SOLVE: 33 = a + 9d

-3 = a+21d 33 = a +9(-3)

By elimination 36 = 12d
- 33 = a 27

-3 = d 60 = a

The sequence is 60, 57, 54, 51, .