Mammoth Memory

Sequence pattern 1 - Consistent difference

The easiest pattern in a sequence to find is when there is a consistent difference between the terms, either addition or subtraction.

They also call this a linear sequence.

 In this example 2 is being added to each number so the consistent difference is 2

This is one of the most famous linear sequences

Linear as in draw one line between each

and in this case, we get a difference of 2.

 

Example 1

Find the differences between each number below:

`7`,  `11`,  `15`  and  `19`

First, see if there is a consistent difference between each number.

The consistent difference in this example is plus 4 

 Answer = 4

 

Example 2

Find the difference between each number below:

`0`,  `-3`,  `-6`,  `-9`,  `-12`

First, see if there is a consistent difference between each term.

Consistent difference here is minus 3 

Answer = `-3`

 

Example 3

Find the difference between

`2`,  `9`,  `16`,  `23`,  `30`

First, see if there is a consistent difference between each term.

Consistent difference here is 7 

Answer = `7`

 

Example 4

Find the differences between each number below:

`0`,  `-4`,  `-8`,  `-12`,  `-16`

First, see if there is a consistent difference

Consistent difference here is minis 4 

Answer is `-4`

 

Example 5

Find the difference between each number below:

`-1/2`,  `-1/4`,  `0`,  `1/4`,  `1/2`

First, see if there is a consistent difference.

Consistent difference here is a quarter

Answer is `1/4`

 

Example 6

Find the difference between each number below:

`-1.1`,  `-1.5`,  `-1.9`,  `-2.3`,  `-2.7`

First, see if there is a consistent difference

Consistent difference here is minus 0.4 

Answer = `-0.4`

 

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