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How do I test for an arithmetic sequence?
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For a general arithmetic sequence with first term $a$ and a common difference $d$, we can generate the following terms:

Therefore, the general formula for the $n$$^{\text{th}}$ term of an arithmetic sequence is:

${T}_{n}= a + \left(n-1\right)d$

Arithmetic sequence

An arithmetic (or linear) sequence is an ordered set of numbers (called terms) in which each new term is calculated by adding a constant value to the previous term:

${T}_{n}=a+(n-1)d$

where

• ${T}_{n}$ is the $n$$^{\text{th}}$ term;

• $n$ is the position of the term in the sequence;

• $a$ is the first term;

• $d$ is the common difference.

Test for an arithmetic sequence

To test whether a sequence is an arithmetic sequence or not, check if the difference between any two consecutive terms is constant:

$d = {T}_{2}-{T}_{1}={T}_{3}-{T}_{2}= \ldots = {T}_{n}-{T}_{n-1}$

If this is not true, then the sequence is not an arithmetic sequence.

## Worked example 1: Arithmetic sequence

Given the sequence $-15; -11; -7; \ldots 173$.

1. Is this an arithmetic sequence?
2. Find the formula of the general term.
3. Determine the number of terms in the sequence.

### Check if there is a common difference between successive terms

\begin{align*} T_{2} - T_{1} &= -11 - (-15) = 4 \\ T_{3} - T_{2} &= -7 - (-11) = 4 \\ \therefore \text{This is an } & \text{arithmetic sequence with } d = 4 \end{align*}

### Determine the formula for the general term

Write down the formula and the known values:

$T_{n} = a + (n-1)d$ $a = -15; \qquad d = 4$ \begin{align*} T_{n} &= a + (n-1)d \\ &= -15 + (n-1)(4) \\ &= -15 + 4n - 4 \\ &= 4n - 19 \end{align*}

A graph was not required for this question but it has been included to show that the points of the arithmetic sequence lie in a straight line.

Note: The numbers of the sequence are natural numbers $\left(n \in \{1;2;3; \ldots \} \right)$ and therefore we should not connect the plotted points. In the diagram above, a dotted line has been used to show that the graph of the sequence lies on a straight line.

### Determine the number of terms in the sequence

\begin{align*} T_{n} &= a + (n-1)d \\ 173 &= 4n - 19 \\ 192 &= 4n \\ \therefore n &= \frac{192}{4} \\ &= 48 \\ \therefore T_{48} &= 173 \end{align*}

Therefore, there are $\text{48}$ terms in the sequence.

by Wooden (1,878 points)

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