After the help of 'gudspeling' on my last question i am now stuck on a similar question but with fractions rather than numbers. the fractions are 1/5, 1/14, 1/29 ,1/50, 1/77. I have absolutely no idea how to do this question so please could you help (and also still bear in mind that i am only 13 can you put it in simple terms please.
2007-09-30 00:13:09 · 2 answers · asked by JONATHAN 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I assume all your numerators are 1, is that correct? If so, the only problem is to find a formula for the sequence 5, 14, 29, 50, 77, ... Since you know that the sequence is quadratic, you are looking for an expression an^2 + bn + c for the n-th term. With n = 1 we have a + b + c = 5, with n = 2 we have 4a + 2b + c = 14, and with n = 3 we have 9a + 3b + c = 29.
Solve these three equations and find a = 3, b = 0, and c = 2. Therefore, your generator is 3n^2 + 2.
2007-09-30 01:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by Tony 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So I can save on explanations here it is a good site for you:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/maths/numberih/sequenceshrev2.shtml
on quadratic sequences. :-)
2007-09-30 07:36:07 · answer #2 · answered by physicist 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋