Topic Details (Notes format)

How to Identify Arithmetic vs. Geometric Sequences

Subject: Mathematics

Book: Maths Mastery

Arithmetic sequences have a constant difference (d) between terms (e.g., 3, 7, 11, ...), while geometric sequences have a constant ratio (r) between terms (e.g., 3, 6, 12, 24, ...). You can test by subtracting consecutive terms for arithmetic or dividing consecutive terms for geometric. Recognizing the sequence type helps select the correct sum formula: Sₙ(arithmetic) = (n/2)(2a₁ + (n–1)d), Sₙ(geometric) = a₁(1–rⁿ)/(1–r). These sequences model linear and exponential growth, vital in finance (loan payments vs. compound interest) and advanced math topics (series expansions, signals).

Practice Questions

If the sum of the angles of a polygon is 1080°, how many sides does the polygon have?

View Question

What is the probability of drawing an ace from a standard deck of 52 cards?

View Question

If a right triangle has legs of 9 cm and 12 cm, what is the length of the hypotenuse?

View Question

If the product of two numbers is 120 and their sum is 26, what are the numbers?

View Question

If a square has a perimeter of 64 cm, what is its area?

View Question

If x² - 9x + 18 = 0, what are the roots of the equation?

View Question

The sum of the squares of two consecutive integers is 145. What are the integers?

View Question

The probability of getting an even number when rolling a die is:

View Question

If sin(A) = 1/2 and A is acute, what is the value of A?

View Question

A train 150 m long passes a pole in 15 seconds. What is its speed?

View Question