Basics of sequences

Distinguish a term's index from its value and represent a sequence with a general term.

Meaning

A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. Each number is a term, and its position is its index. A general term expresses the th term using

Example

If for the sequence is 3, 5, 7, …. In 4 is the position and 9 is the value there.Distinguish an index from a term's value. The same formula gives a different first term depending on whether indexing starts at 0 or 1.

Practice for this concept

Scope and references

Topics

Terms, indices, general terms, finite and infinite sequences

Learning goal

Distinguish a term's index from its value and represent a sequence with a general term.

Helpful background

Review patterns by position and relationships written with variables.

Basic sequence concepts

These ordinary choice questions provide limited practice in this concept. They do not establish independent solution, full-concept performance, or mastery.

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