Answer:
The nth term = n^2 - 2n - 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
Here, we will be finding the nth term of a quadratic number sequence. A quadratic number sequence has nth term = an² + bn + c
Example 1
Write down the nth term of this quadratic number sequence.
-3, 8, 23, 42, 65...
Step 1: Confirm the sequence is quadratic. This is done by finding the second difference.
Sequence = -3, 8, 23, 42, 65
1st difference = 11,15,19,23
2nd difference = 4,4,4,4
Step 2: If you divide the second difference by 2, you will get the value of a.
4 ÷ 2 = 2
So the first term of the nth term is 2n²
Step 3: Next, substitute the number 1 to 5 into 2n².
n = 1,2,3,4,5
2n² = 2,8,18,32,50
Step 4: Now, take these values (2n²) from the numbers in the original number sequence and work out the nth term of these numbers that form a linear sequence.
n = 1,2,3,4,5
2n² = 2,8,18,32,50
Differences = -5,0,5,10,15
Now the nth term of these differences (-5,0,5,10,15) is 5n -10.
So b = 5 and c = -10.
Step 5: Write down your final answer in the form an² + bn + c.
2n² + 5n -10
Example 2
Write down the nth term of this quadratic number sequence.
9, 28, 57, 96, 145...
Step 1: Confirm if the sequence is quadratic. This is done by finding the second difference.
Sequence = 9, 28, 57, 96, 145...
1st differences = 19,29,39,49
2nd differences = 10,10,10
Step 2: If you divide the second difference by 2, you will get the value of a.
10 ÷ 2 = 5
So the first term of the nth term is 5n²
Step 3: Next, substitute the number 1 to 5 into 5n².
n = 1,2,3,4,5
5n² = 5,20,45,80,125
Step 4: Now, take these values (5n²) from the numbers in the original number sequence and work out the nth term of these numbers that form a linear sequence.
n = 1,2,3,4,5
5n² = 5,20,45,80,125
Differences = 4,8,12,16,20
Now the nth term of these differences (4,8,12,16,20) is 4n. So b = 4 and c = 0.
Step 5: Write down your final answer in the form an² + bn + c.
5n² + 4n
