GCSE Maths: Sequences (nth term)
Practise GCSE Maths sequences including arithmetic and quadratic sequences, nth term formulae and geometric sequences. AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas.
AlgebraFoundation & HigherAQA · Edexcel · OCR · Eduqas
What you need to know
The concepts examiners test on sequences (nth term), and what each one is really asking.
Arithmetic sequences
Finding the nth term of arithmetic sequences
Geometric sequences
Quadratic sequences
Fibonacci-type sequences
Where marks get lost
The exam technique that separates a correct method from a correct answer.
- For arithmetic sequences: nth term = a + (n−1)d
- Identify the common difference first
- For quadratic sequences, find the second difference to get the n² coefficient
Sequences (nth term) questions students ask
How do I find the nth term of an arithmetic sequence?
Find the common difference d. The nth term formula is: nth term = first term + (n−1) × d. Simplify to the form dn + c.
How do I recognise a quadratic sequence?
If the differences between consecutive terms are not constant but the second differences (differences of differences) are constant, it is a quadratic sequence.