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Intermediate Algebra

Key Terms

Intermediate AlgebraKey Terms

Key Terms

annuity
An annuity is an investment that is a sequence of equal periodic deposits.
arithmetic sequence
An arithmetic sequence is a sequence where the difference between consecutive terms is constant.
common difference
The difference between consecutive terms in an arithmetic sequence, an−an−1,an−an−1, is d, the common difference, for n greater than or equal to two.
common ratio
The ratio between consecutive terms in a geometric sequence, anan−1,anan−1, is r, the common ratio, where r greater than or equal to two.
finite sequence
A sequence with a domain that is limited to a finite number of counting numbers.
general term of a sequence
The general term of the sequence is the formula for writing the nth term of the sequence. The nth term of the sequence, an,an, is the term in the nth position where n is a value in the domain.
geometric sequence
A geometric sequence is a sequence where the ratio between consecutive terms is always the same
infinite geometric series
An infinite geometric series is an infinite sum infinite geometric sequence.
infinite sequence
A sequence whose domain is all counting numbers and there is an infinite number of counting numbers.
partial sum
When we add a finite number of terms of a sequence, we call the sum a partial sum.
sequence
A sequence is a function whose domain is the counting numbers.
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