Sequences: Common Difference vs. Common Ratio

Front

What is a geometric sequence?

Back

A sequence where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant called the common ratio.

Front

What is an arithmetic sequence?

Back

A sequence whose terms change by adding the same number (common difference) each time.

Front

How do you find the next term in a geometric sequence?

Back

Multiply the last term by the common ratio.

Front

What is the common difference in the sequence: -3, 8, 19, ...?

Back

11

Front

What is the common ratio in the sequence: {2, 10, 50, 250, ...}?

Back

5

Front

What is the common difference in the sequence: -2, -11, -20, -29...?

Back

-9

Front

Define common difference.

Back

The constant amount added to each term in an arithmetic sequence.

Front

Define common ratio.

Back

The constant factor by which each term is multiplied to get the next term in a geometric sequence.

Front

If the first term of an arithmetic sequence is 5 and the common difference is 3, what is the 5th term?

Back

17 (5 + 4*3)

Front

If the first term of a geometric sequence is 3 and the common ratio is 2, what is the 4th term?

Back

24 (3 * 2^3)