Number P attern Formulas
In this revision notes, you will learn all the number pattern formulas for O Levels Math so that
you will be proficient in solving Number Pattern questions.
Number patterns are hidden all around us, and learning to identify and utilise them can unlock
numerous benefits such as prediction of outcome and forming of relationships between various
objects and variables.
Building upon our earlier understanding of number sequences (learnt in primary school), we will
learn in this chapter new types of sequences, tools to find their general formulas as well as their
practical applications in everyday life.
Number Pattern Definitions
Consider the following whole numbers:
1st term, 2nd term, 3rd term, 4th term, 5th term, nth term,
𝑇1 𝑇2 𝑇3 𝑇4 𝑇5 𝑇𝑛
2, 7, 12, 17, 22, … 5n – 3, …
+5 +5 +5 +5
The above set of numbers 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, … forms a number sequence.
The numbers in the number sequence are called terms of the sequence. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th
terms are 2, 7, 12, 17, and 22 respectively. We use 𝑇1 to represent the 1st term, 𝑇2 to represent the
2nd`term, 𝑇3 to represent the 3rd term and so on.
The numbers in the number sequence are guided by a specific rule: begin with 2, then add 5 to the
current term to obtain the next term.
The general term of the above number sequence, 𝑇𝑛 , is represented by the algebraic expression
5n −3, where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term. For instance, to obtain the 100th term
in the number sequence above, we let n = 100, then 𝑇100 = 5(100) − 3 = 497.
Hence the general term, 𝑇𝑛 = 5𝑛 − 3, is a number pattern formula to enable us to accurately
predict any term in the sequence without having to list out all the previous terms (1st to 99th).
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Obtaining the Number Pattern Formula
To obtain the number pattern formula of a number sequence, some key skills below are required:
1. Identifying patterns: This is the most crucial skill. You need to observe and analyze the
sequence to identify the underlying pattern that governs the change from one term to the
next. This can involve looking for constant differences, ratios, or other recurring features.
2. Understanding different types of sequences: Familiarity with various types of sequences,
such as arithmetic, geometric, quadratic, and Fibonacci, is essential. Each type has its
specific pattern and formula for generating the terms.
3. Applying mathematical concepts: You need to apply mathematical concepts like
arithmetic operations, powers of numbers, and even algebra to express the pattern in a
mathematical form.
4. Inductive reasoning: You need to generalise the observed patterns to form a rule that
applies to all terms in the sequence, including those not explicitly given.
5. Translating patterns into formulas: Once you have identified the pattern and rule, you
need to translate it into a concise and accurate formula using mathematical notation.
6. Checking and verifying: It's crucial to verify your formula by testing it on several terms in
the sequence and ensuring it accurately predicts the values.
The above steps can be demonstrated in the given number sequence 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, …
Steps Actions To Take
1. Identifying patterns Observe that the numbers are increasing.
The numbers are increasing by a constant amount of 5.
2. Understanding Based on the above initial observations, this is an arithmetic sequence.
different types of
sequences
[We will learn more about this type of sequence and other sequences in
later part of the notes.]
3. Applying Increasing by 5 is the same as +5.
mathematical
concepts
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4. Inductive reasoning We can represent each term of the number sequence as follows:
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟐
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟐 + 𝟓
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟐 + 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝑻𝟒 = 𝟐 + 𝟓 + 𝟓 + 𝟓
𝑻𝟓 = 𝟐 + 𝟓 + 𝟓 + 𝟓 + 𝟓
5. Translating Observe that the pattern always begin with 2, and we progressively
patterns into formulas
add 5 to the current term to obtain the next one.
The number of 5s in the current term is always one less than the
ordinal numerical value. For instance, we add one 5 to the 2nd term, we
add two 5s to the 3rd term, we add three 5s to the 4th term and so on.
Therefore, to obtain the nth term, we begin with 2 and then we add
(n – 1) number of 5s. This translates to:
𝑻𝒏 = 𝟐 + (𝒏 − 𝟏)𝟓
= 𝟓𝒏 − 𝟑
6. Checking and Once we have the general term 𝑇𝑛 = 5𝑛 − 3, we must check that the
verifying
formula can indeed give us all the correct terms.
We progressively substitute n with 1, 2 and 3, into the formula and
cross check with the given terms in the number sequence.
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟓(𝟏) − 𝟑 = 𝟐 [✔]
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟓(𝟐) − 𝟑 = 𝟕 [✔]
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟓(𝟑) − 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐 [✔]
Check for at least the first 3 terms to be sure that we have the correct
formula.
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Number Pattern Formulas of Different Sequences
Arithmetic Sequences
An arithmetic sequence (also known as linear sequence) is a sequence of numbers where the
difference between any two consecutive terms is constant. This constant difference, d, is called the
common difference.
Number Pattern Formula for Arithmetic Sequences: 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑,
where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term, a is the first term and d is the common
difference between any two consecutive terms.
Examples:
1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, … (a = 1, d = 3)
20, 15, 10, 5, 0, −5, … (a = 20, d = −5)
Applications to real life:
Finance: calculating loan payments with constant interest rate
Statistics: analysing data trends and forecasting future values
Arithmetic Sequences Example
A certain number sequence is given as:
3, 7, 11, 15, …
(a) Write down the next two terms of the sequence.
(b) Write down an expression ,in terms of n, for the nth term of the sequence.
(c) Hence
(i) find the 45th term of the number sequence.
(ii) determine if 400 is in the number sequence.
Solution:
(a) 19, 23
(b)
𝑇𝑛 = 3 + (𝑛 − 1)(4)
= 4𝑛 − 1
(c)(i) 𝑇45 = 4(45) − 1 = 179
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(ii)
Assume 400 is in the number sequence. Then 𝑇𝑛 = 400 for a positive integer n.
4𝑛 − 1 = 400
4𝑛 = 399
𝑛 = 99.75 (not a positive integer)
Since n is not a positive integer for 𝑇𝑛 = 400, 400 is not in the number sequence.
Geometric Sequences
A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term is obtained by multiplying the
previous term by a constant value. This constant value is called the common ratio, r.
Number Pattern Formula for Geometric Sequence: 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑎𝑟 𝑛−1,
where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term, a is the first term and r is the common ratio
between any two consecutive terms.
Examples:
2, 6, 18, 54, 162, 486, … (a = 2, r = 3)
1000, 100, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01, … (a = 1000, r = 0.1)
3, −6, 12, −24, 48, −96, … (a = 3, r = −2)
Applications to real life:
Finance: analysing compound interest rates, inflation etc
Biology: understanding rate of cell division, rate of disease transmission etc
Physics: modelling the decay of a radioactive substance
Geometric Sequences Example
A certain number sequence is given as:
4, 20, 100, 500, …
(a) Write down the next two terms of the sequence.
(b) Write down an expression ,in terms of n, for the nth term of the sequence.
(c) Hence
(i) find the 20th term of the number sequence, giving your answer in standard form.
(ii) explain why the difference between any two consecutive terms is always exactly
divisible by 2.
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Solution:
(a) 2 500, 12 500
(b) 𝑇𝑛 = 4(5)𝑛−1
(c)(i) 𝑇20 = 4(5)20−1 = 7.63 × 1013
(ii)
𝑇𝑛+1 − 𝑇𝑛 = 4(5)𝑛+1 − 4(5)𝑛
= 4(5𝑛+1 − 5𝑛 )
= (2)(2)(5𝑛+1 − 5𝑛 )
Since the difference between any two consecutive terms is a multiple of 2, the difference is always
exactly divisibly by 2.
Harmonic Sequences
A harmonic sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term is the reciprocal of the
corresponding term in an arithmetic sequence. In simple terms, it's a sequence of reciprocals of an
arithmetic sequence.
1
Number Pattern Formula for Harmonic Sequences: 𝑇𝑛 = ,
𝑎+(𝑛−1)𝑑
where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term, a is the denominator of the first term, and d is
the common difference between the denominators of any two consecutive terms.
Examples:
Arithmetic sequence: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, …
1 1 1 1 1
Harmonic sequence: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, … (a = 1, d = 3)
3 5 7
Arithmetic sequence: 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 4, …
2 1 2 1 2 1 1
Harmonic sequence: 1, 3, 2, 5, 3 ,7, 4, … (a = 1, d = 2)
Applications to real life:
Physics: modeling the motion of a falling object
Probability Theory: calculating the probability of certain events occurring in a series of
trials
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Sequence of Square Numbers
A square number is a positive integer obtained by squaring an integer. In simpler terms, it's the
product of a number multiplied by itself.
For example, the sequence 1, 4, 9, 16, 25,... is a sequence of square numbers.
Number Pattern Formula for Square Numbers: 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑛2 , where n is the ordinal numerical value of
the term.
A sequence of square number can be geometrically represented as follows:
A sequence of square numbers can also be geometrically represented as triangular stacks as
follows:
𝑇1 = 1 𝑇2 = 4 𝑇3 = 9 𝑇4 = 16
As a result, we can also rewrite each square number as a sum of the number of objects in
each row:
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 + 𝟑 = 𝟒
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟏 + 𝟑 + 𝟓 = 𝟗
𝑻𝟒 = 𝟏 + 𝟑 + 𝟓 + 𝟕 = 𝟏𝟔
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Applications to real life:
Geometry: Determining areas and volumes squares, rectangles and other other geometric
shapes.
Cryptography: Used in encryption algorithms for secure communication.
Sequence of Triangular Numbers
A triangular number is a positive integer that represents the number of objects arranged in an
equilateral or right-angled isosceles triangle. Each additional row adds one more object than the
previous row, creating a triangular shape, like the examples shown below.
𝑇1 = 1 𝑇2 = 3 𝑇3 = 6 𝑇4 = 10
𝑇5 = 15 𝑇2 = 21
Hence, the sequence 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21,... is a sequence of triangular numbers. We can also rewrite
each triangular number as a sum of the number of objects that form the triangle:
𝑻𝟏 = 𝟏
𝑻𝟐 = 𝟏 + 𝟐 = 𝟑
𝑻𝟑 = 𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 = 𝟔
𝑻𝟒 = 𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎
𝑻𝟓 = 𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒 + 𝟓 = 𝟏𝟓
𝑻𝟔 = 𝟏 + 𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒 + 𝟓 + 𝟔 = 𝟐𝟏
𝑛(𝑛+1)
Number Pattern Formula for Triangular Numbers: 𝑇𝑛 = ,
2
where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term.
Applications to real life:
Geometry: calculating areas and volumes of certain shapes.
Combinatorics: counting the number of ways to choose k objects from a set of n objects.
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Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci sequence is a sequence of numbers where each number is the sum of the two
preceding ones. Starting with 0 and 1, the sequence continues:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, ...
Number Pattern Formula for Fibonacci Sequence: 𝑇𝑛 = 𝑇𝑛−1 + 𝑇𝑛−2
where n is the ordinal numerical value of the term.
Unique Properties:
The sequence grows rapidly, with each number being significantly larger than the previous
one.
The ratio of consecutive Fibonacci numbers approaches the golden ratio, φ (approximately
1.618) as the sequence progresses.
Squares with side lengths of consecutive Fibonacci numbers: Draw squares with side
lengths of consecutive Fibonacci numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, etc.) and connect their opposite
corners with quarter-circle arcs. As you continue this process, the arcs will form a beautiful
spiral shape. This pattern can be continued indefinitely.
Applications to real life:
Art and design: The golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence are used in various artistic and
design forms to create aesthetically pleasing compositions.
Nature and biology: In the natural world, the Fibonacci sequence repeats itself: in the way
flower petals are attached to a stalk, branches grow from a tree, bracts are arranged on a
pine cone and leaves are arranged on a stem. Hence it is said to be considered to be lucky to
be able to find a 4-leaf clover.
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