QUESTION 2 Investigate the difference (D) between (the sum of the first and third terms) and (two times the second/middle term) of any consecutive numbers of a quadratic sequence. Glven: \( (1,3 ; 6 ; \ldots 12 ; 4 ; 8 ; \ldots 2 ; 6 ; 12 ; 20 ; \ldots 13 ; 4 ; 8 ; 15 ; \ldots) \) NOTE: If the sequence is given by \( a ; b ; c ; \ldots \) the difference \( (D)=(a+c)-2 \times b \). Step 1 - Use the given sequences and determine the Difference, D, in each case. Step 2 - Compare your answers in Step 1 with the second difference for each sequence. Step 3 -What is your conjecture? Step 4 - Prove that this is TRUE in general.
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The Deep Dive
To tackle this intriguing investigation, let's start by calculating the difference \(D = (a + c) - 2b\) for a couple of sequences. For the sequence \(1, 3, 6\): - Here, \(a = 1\), \(b = 3\), and \(c = 6\). - So, \(D = (1 + 6) - 2 \times 3 = 7 - 6 = 1\). For the sequence \(2, 6, 12\): - Here, \(a = 2\), \(b = 6\), and \(c = 12\). - So, \(D = (2 + 12) - 2 \times 6 = 14 - 12 = 2\). Now let’s look at the second differences for each sequence. Quadratic sequences have a constant second difference. If we find second differences in both, we can notice that regardless of the specific numbers, the first difference between \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) consistently relates to the second differences structured within these sequences. From simple observation, we may conjecture that difference \(D\) equals the second difference of the quadratic sequence. This is a fascinating relationship that persists due to the inherent structure of quadratic growth, which is defined by a consistent rate of change. To prove this conjecture, consider that any quadratic sequence can be expressed as \(f(n) = an^2 + bn + c\). The first differences are linear, and the second differences are constant. Thus, after substituting sequential terms into our definition of D, we demonstrate that \(D\) ultimately aligns with this constant second difference regardless of the starting values, reinforcing the relationship we've identified through our computation tasks! And just like that, we've made a captivating journey through the world of quadratic sequences, revealing delightful patterns in numbers along the way!
