How to find the nth term of a quadratic sequence?

Find the difference between each term in the sequence. Then find the second difference, i.e. the difference between each of the primary differences. Divide this by 2, to give you the coefficient of n^2. Now rewrite your sequence and below each term, the respective 'coefficient n^2'. Subtract one from the other, which will leave you with a linear sequence. By GCSE level, student should know how to calculate the nth term of a linear sequence, but if not then will run through how to do this.

SK
Answered by Sawan K. Maths tutor

6630 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Which of these lines are parallel to y=2x+3? Which are perpendicular? Options: 1) y=5x-4, 2) y=-1/3x+3, 3) y=-1/2x-1, 4) y=2x-2/3


Expand and simplify the following equation: 6(x-3) - 4(x-5) = 0


Solve the quadratic equation: x^2 - 2x - 15 = 0


Solve the following simultaneous equations: 3x - y = 1, 2x + 2y = 2


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning