|
This page is devoted to discussing sequences using function notation.
Certain sequences (not all) can be defined (expressed) as an "explicit" formula.
An explicit formula will create a sequence using n, the number location of each term.
If you can find an explicit formula for a sequence, you will be able to quickly and easily find any term in the sequence simply by replacing n with the number of the term you seek.
An explicit formula designates the nth term of the sequence,
as an expression of n
(where n = the term's location). It defines the sequence as a formula in terms of n. It may be written in either subscript notation an, or in functional notation, f (n).
|
 Sequence:
{10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, ...}. Find an explicit formula.
This example is an arithmetic sequence(the same number, 5, is added to each term to get to the next term).
Term Number |
Term |
Function Notation |
1 |
10
|
f (1) |
2 |
15
|
f (2) |
3 |
20
|
f (3) |
4 |
25
|
f (4) |
5 |
30
|
f (5) |
6 |
35
|
f (6) |
n |
|
f (n) |
Explicit Formula:
in function notation: f (n) = 5n + 5 |
|
This sequence is graphed in the first quadrant. Remember that the domain consists of the natural numbers, {1, 2, 3, ...}, and the range consists of the terms of the sequence. Notice that this sequence has a linear appearance. The rate of change between each of the points is "5 over 1". While the n value increases by a constant value of one, the f (n) value increases by a constant value of 5 (for this graph).
|
| |
 |
It is easy to see that the explicit formula works once you are given the formula. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to come up with explicit formulas, when all you have is a list of the terms.
If your sequence is arithmetic, it will help if you look at the pattern of what is happening in the sequence. |
Explicit formula: f (n) = 10 + 5(n - 1) |
|
If you compare the term number with how many times the common difference, 5, is added, you will see a pattern for an explicit formula:
 |
|
Now that you have the explicit formula, find the 100th term of this sequence.
Replace n with 100 in the explicit formula: f (n) = 10 + 5(n - 1)
f (100) = 10 + 5(100 - 1) = 10 + 5(99) = 10 + 495 = 505 ANSWER
 Sequence:
{3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, ...}. Find an explicit formula.
This example is a geometric sequence (the same number, 2, is multiplied times each term to get to the next term).
Term Number |
Term |
Function Notation |
1 |
3 |
f (1) |
2 |
6 |
f (2) |
3 |
12 |
f (3) |
4 |
24 |
f (4) |
5 |
48 |
f (5) |
6 |
96 |
f (6) |
n |
|
f (n) |
Explicit Formula:
in function notation: f (n) = 3•(2)n-1
|
|
Notice that this sequence has an exponential appearance. It may be the case with geometric sequences that the graph will increase (or decrease). The rate of change will increase (or decrease) as the value of n increases (it is not constant).
|
 |
Again, it is easy to see that a given explicit formula works. The problem is coming up with a formula when all you are given is a list of the terms.
If your sequence is geometric, it will help if you look at the pattern of what is happening in the sequence, in a manner similar to what we examined in the arithmetic sequence. |
Explicit formula: f (n) = 3 • 2n-1 |
|
If you compare the term number with the powers of the common difference, 2, you will see a pattern for an explicit formula:
 |
|
Now that you have the explicit formula, find the 9th term of this sequence.
Replace n with 9 in the explicit formula: f (n) = 3 • 2n-1
f (9) = 3 • 29-1 = 3 • 28 = 3 • 256 = 768 ANSWER
 Sequence:
{0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ...}
This example is neither an arithmetic sequence nor a geometric sequence.
 |
Seeing the pattern for an explicit formula for an arithmetic sequence or a geometric sequence will be easy as compared to finding explicit formulas for sequences that do not fall into these categories.
The sequence shown in this example is a famous sequence called the Fibonacci sequence. [It was introduced in 1202 by Leonardo Fibonacci. In its original form, the first term of the sequence was 1. By modern convention, the sequence now may begin with either 1 or 0.] |
The Fibonacci sequence is famous as being seen in nature (leaf arrangements, bracts of pine cones, scales of pine cones, sunflowers, flower petals, Nautilus shells, grains of wheat, coniferous trees, bee hives, and even single cells). It is referred to as Nature's numbering system. The Fibonacci sequence is also associated with the golden ratio (1.61803), which can be seen in the ratio of two successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence (as the Fibonacci numbers grow).
|
Is there a pattern in the Fibonacci sequence?
Yes. After the first two terms, each term is the sum of the previous two terms.
Is there an explicit formula for the Fibonacci sequence? Yes.
Explicit Formula:
|
|
(Don't panic! You will not be asked to find explicit formulas of this difficulty level. But you may be asked to "use" a more difficult given formula.) |
|
|
|
What about the graph of the Fibonacci sequence?
As seen at the right, when graphed, the Fibonacci sequence takes on the appearance of an exponential graph.
While it is not truly exponential, the Fibonacci sequence can be "modeled" with an exponential function. With the sequence's connection to the golden ratio, it can be "modeled" by an exponential function with 1.6 as the base, f (x) = 1.6x. (This is a "model", not an exact formula match.) |
 |
|
|
Arrow down to
"In Func MODE" |
|
NOTE: The re-posting of materials (in part or whole) from this site to the Internet
is copyright violation
and is not considered "fair use" for educators. Please read the "Terms of Use". |
|
