Step 1
Students will use formulas to find the differences of the consecutive terms of a sequence.
Arithmetic Sequences and Series
Activity Overview
Use formulas to find the differences of the consecutive terms, plot a scatter plot of each sequence, and determine the shape of sequences with common differences. Then use a spreadsheet to display the first n terms and find the sum.
Key Steps
Step 2
Then, students will plot a scatter plot of each sequence and determine that sequences with common differences, also called arithmetic sequences, have scatter plots that form a straight line.
Step 3
Students will find the sum of the first n terms of a sequence using a formula and using sigma notation.