Arithmetic sequences

Find a8 and an for the sequence: -3, -7,-11

6 answers

the common difference is -4

an = 1 - 4n
What is a8 ? Could it possibly be -31. Do i plug in 8 for the equation an=1-4n
Scott has already given you the rule which is an=1-4n.

To check the rule,
put n=1, an=1-4=-3 (works)
put n=2, an=1-4(2)=-7 (works)

To check a8, you can either use the given rule, or you can numerate the terms (8 is not too bad!)
-3, -7, -11, -15.....
well, let's try to take this step by step. Let's call the two lower vertices L and R. Suppose we have


π/3

L = (h,-k)
Then the line LC has slope
mLC = k/(1-h)
y+k = k/(1-h) (x-h)

Since LRC is equilateral, its angles are all π/3. So, the slope of LR is

mLR = tan(arctan(k/(1-h))-π/3)

and the equation of LR is

y+k = mLR (x-h)

Similarly, line RC has slope
mRC = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3)

and its equation is (using point B)
y = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3) (x-2)
well, let's try to take this step by step. Let's call the two lower vertices L and R. Suppose we have

L = (h,-k)
Then the line LC has slope
mLC = k/(1-h)
and its equation (using point A) is
y = k/(1-h) (x-1)

Since LRC is equilateral, its angles are all π/3. So, the slope of LR is

mLR = tan(arctan(k/(1-h))-π/3)

and the equation of LR is

y+k = mLR (x-h)

Similarly, line RC has slope
mRC = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3)

and its equation is (using point B)
y = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3) (x-2)
well, let's try to take this step by step. Let's call the two lower vertices L and R. Suppose we have

L = (h,-k)
Then the line LC has slope
mLC = k/(1-h)
and its equation (using point A) is
y = k/(1-h) (x-1)

Since LRC is equilateral, its angles are all π/3. So, the slope of LR is

mLR = tan(arctan(mLC)-π/3)

and the equation of LR is

y+k = mLR (x-h)

Similarly, line RC has slope
mRC = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3)

and its equation is (using point B)
y = tan(arctan(mLR)-π/3) (x-2)
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