A quadratic sequence has the following properties:
The second difference is 10 - NSC Mathematics - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 3
A quadratic sequence has the following properties:
The second difference is 10.
The first two terms are equal, i.e. $T_1 = T_2$.
$T_1 + T_2 + T_3 = 28$.
3.1 Show t... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A quadratic sequence has the following properties:
The second difference is 10 - NSC Mathematics - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Show that the general term of the sequence is $T_n = 5n^2 - 15n + 16$.
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Answer
To show that the general term of the sequence is expressed as the quadratic equation Tn=5n2−15n+16, we need to use the properties of the quadratic sequence provided.
Second Difference:
The second difference of a quadratic sequence is constant. According to the question, the second difference is 10. Therefore, we know that the leading coefficient a of the quadratic Tn=an2+bn+c must satisfy:
ightarrow a = 5$$
Equal Terms:
For the first two terms to be equal, we have:
T1=T2
Substituting in the form:
5(1)2+b(1)+c=5(2)2+b(2)+c
This simplifies to:
ightarrow b = -15$$
Sum of Terms:
Now, substituting T1, T2, and T3:
T1+T2+T3=(5(1)2−15(1)+16)+(5(2)2−15(2)+16)+(5(3)2−15(3)+16)
This results in:
[5−15+16]+[20−30+16]+[45−45+16]=6+6+16=28
Thus confirming that the expression for Tn is correct: Tn=5n2−15n+16.
Step 2
Is 216 a term in this sequence? Justify your answer with the necessary calculations.
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Answer
To determine if 216 is a term in the sequence, we need to set up the equation:
Tn=5n2−15n+16=216
Rearranging gives us:
ightarrow 5n^2 - 15n - 200 = 0$$
Dividing by 5 simplifies this to:
n2−3n−40=0
Now we can factor this quadratic equation:
(n−8)(n+5)=0
Thus, we have:
n=8
(only the positive integer solutions are valid as we are looking for term positions)
As n=8 is a positive integer, we conclude that:
T8=5(8)2−15(8)+16=216
Therefore, 216 is indeed a term in this sequence.