Firstly we need to determine whether the series is linear or quadratic. A linear sequence is a sequence of numbers in which there is a first difference between any consecutive terms is constant. However, a quadratic sequence is a sequence of numbers in which there is a second difference between any consecutive terms is constant.
Let's begin by determining if we have a first difference:
`x_1 = T_2 - T_1 = 6 - 0 = 6`
`x_2 = T_3 - T_2 = 16 - 6 = 10`
`x_3 = T_4 - T_3 = 30 - 16 = 14`
Clearly from above, we observe that we do not have a constant first difference, now let's observe the second difference by calculating it:
`x_2 - x_1 = 10 - 6 = 4`
`x_3 - x_2 = 14 - 10 = 4`
We observe from above we have a constant second difference.
Therefore the sequence is a quadratic model.
Now let's find the model:
A quadratic model is represented as follows:
`T_n = an^2 + bn + c`
Where: T_n = Term value, n= term number, variables: a,b,c
We need to determine the variables a, b and c to obtain our quadratic model. This is obtained as follows:
`2a =` second difference
`2a = 4`
`a = 2`
Now to determ6ine the variable b:
`3a+ b =` first difference between term 2 and term 1
`3(2) + b = 6` (substitute 2 for a and 6 for T_2 - T_1)
`b = 6 -6 =0`
Lastly the variable c:
`a + b + c =` value of term 1
`2 + 0 + c = 0` (substituted for a, b and value for term 1)
`c = -2`
Now we can develop our model:
`T_n = 2n^2 -2`
Let's double check the above model for term 2 and 5:
`T_2 = 2(2)^2 -2 = 6`
`T_5 = 2(5)^2 - 2 = 48`
SUMMARY:
Type of Sequence: Quadratic
Model:
`T_n = 2n^2 -2`
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