This applet investigates the method of differences to find the nth term of an integer quadratic sequence - an² + bn + c

UK Years 10-13, KS4, KS5, Higher GCSE Mathematics, AS - Shape and Space, Investigative tools

Instructions below    light background    Waldomaths video    Worksheet on this topic in .pdf form    See also: Linear sequences    Simple quadratic sequences    Cubic sequences

[Applet - Harder Quadratic Sequences]

This program is essentially a machine for finding the rule or formula for a quadratic sequence (S) which has:
      nth term = an² + bn + c
where n is the term or sequence number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.)
A new problem is generated randomly by clicking the "new problem" button, and for each new problem you are trying to find the values of a, b and c, which are all integers.

If the box "increasing sequences only" is ticked then a is always positive. If not then a can be positive or negative (but never zero, as this would mean that the sequence is not quadratic!). Clicking the "reset" button takes you back to the beginning of the current sequence. You can show or hide the graph or the working by using the boxes at the top. This applet uses the "method of differences".