MA13-05 Maths Watch
Finding the nth Term of a Quadratic Sequence
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In this lesson
In this video you'll learn about nth term of a quadratic sequence for GCSE Maths, with worked examples and the mistakes examiners report. By the end you'll be able to deduce an algebraic expression for the nth term of a quadratic sequence, using second differences to find the n-squared coefficient and then isolating the remaining linear part.
What it covers
- 1:10 Is it quadratic, and why halving works
- 4:24 The three stages on the mosaic
- 8:05 Where 1/2 n(n+1) comes
- 9:13 Exam technique
Key words
For: AQA GCSE 8300, Edexcel GCSE 1MA1, Eduqas GCSE C300, OCR GCSE J560, Cambridge IGCSE 0580
On the specification
| Board | Spec | Statement |
|---|---|---|
| AQA GCSE 8300 | A25 | Deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear sequences |
| Edexcel GCSE 1MA1 | A25 | Deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear sequences |
| Eduqas GCSE C300 | HA25 | Deduce expressions to calculate the nth term of linear and quadratic sequences |
| OCR GCSE J560 | 6.06a | Generate a sequence by spotting a pattern or using a term-to-term rule given algebraically or in words. Find a position-to-term rule for simple arithmetic sequences, algebraically or in words. |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | C2.7 | Continue a given number sequence or pattern. |
| Cambridge IGCSE 0580 | E2.7 | Continue a given number sequence or pattern. |
For teachers
This GCSE Maths lesson teaches finding the nth term of a quadratic sequence. By the end, students should be able to deduce an algebraic expression for the nth term of a quadratic sequence, using second differences to find the n-squared coefficient and then isolating the remaining linear part. It works through two worked examples and the mistakes examiners report.