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Maths•SHS Core: Functions, Variation & Sequences

Sequences & series

Senior High 6 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What sequences & series means

You learn how to spot the pattern in a list of numbers and use it to find missing terms. This helps you work with repeated change, which is useful for class tests and examination questions.

What you will practise

  • Find the next term in an arithmetic sequence.
  • Use the first term and common difference to get any term.
  • Find the next term in a geometric sequence.
  • Use the first term and common ratio to get any term.
  • Work out simple sums of arithmetic and geometric series.

Before you start

You should be comfortable with multiplication, division, powers, and basic algebra. You should also know how to read number patterns and follow a rule from one term to the next.

Not confident yet? Work through Relations & functions first.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

Find the next term: 3, 7, 11, 15, ...

  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
Answer: 19

Working: This is an AP with common difference 4: 15 + 4 = 19.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using addition for a geometric sequence. Check whether the pattern grows by a fixed amount or a fixed factor.
  • Finding the term number wrongly in the formula. Count carefully from the first term, not from zero.
  • Mixing up common difference and common ratio. Difference means subtraction, ratio means division or multiplication.
  • Missing the pattern in the question. Always compare at least two steps before choosing a rule.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES SHS syllabusWASSCE

This topic usually appears in SHS 1 to SHS 3 when learners study sequences, patterns and algebraic rules. It also supports the kind of reasoning often needed in WASSCE questions on progression and related algebra work.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other SHS Core: Functions, Variation & Sequences skills in Maths, at the same point in the course.

Other Maths topics

Picture Addition & SubtractionEarly NumeracyNumber BasicsSHS Core MathematicsUniversity MathematicsAlgebra

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Exams that assess sequences & series

Senior High work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the Maths topics that appear on it.

WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsFree WASSCE practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

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Practise sequences & series

6 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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