document.write( "Question 74429: how could I find general term in sequence not for (arthematic or geometric only) thank you \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #53428 by jim_thompson5910(35256) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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There is no clearcut way to find the general term for a sequence. If you know if its either geometric or arithmetic then its a little easier for you. However if you're just given a set of numbers without any further instructions then it might be difficult. In that case, you would have to look for a pattern that the numbers follow. For instance, the Fibonacci sequence is the set of numbers:\r
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. In other words to get 8 we add 5 and 3. To get 3, we add 2 and 1. This applies to every term. This is just one odd sequence that doesn't follow the rules. So it's difficult to determine a set of numbers follows the Fibonacci sequence if you've never seen one before. So go ahead and post the set of numbers so I can look at them.\r
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