Problem 93

Question

Explain how to use the first two terms of an arithmetic sequence to find the \(n\) th term.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The nth term of an arithmetic sequence can be found using the formula \(a_n = a_1 + (n-1) * d\) where \(a_n\) is the nth term, \(a_1\) is the first term, \(n\) is the term number, and \(d\) is the common difference, derived from subtracting the first term from the second term.
1Step 1: Understand Arithmetic Sequence
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers in which the difference of any two successive members is a constant. For example, the sequence 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 is an arithmetic sequence with a common difference of 2.
2Step 2: Identify the Common Difference
To find the common difference (d) of an arithmetic sequence, subtract the first term from the second term. The formula is \(d = a_2 - a_1\) where \(a_2\) is the second term and \(a_1\) is the first term.
3Step 3: Find the nth Term
The formula to find the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is \(a_n = a_1 + (n-1) * d\) where \(a_n\) is the nth term, \(a_1\) is the first term, \(n\) is the term number, and \(d\) is the common difference. Substitute the values of \(a_1\), \(n\), and \(d\) into the formula to get \(a_n\).