Fiducia TogetherSequences
A list of numbers following a rule, and finding the nth term.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
A sequence is an ordered list. A linear sequence changes by a constant difference; a quadratic sequence has a constant second difference; geometric sequences multiply by a common ratio.
Where it applies
Both tiers. Quadratic nth terms are higher tier.
How it works
For a linear sequence, the nth term is (common difference)n plus an adjustment found from the first term.
The Fibonacci sequence, triangular numbers and square numbers are named sequences worth recognising.
How to use it in your work
Find the difference first, then adjust. Write the multiples of the difference above the sequence and compare.
To test whether a number is IN a sequence, set the nth term equal to it and check whether n is a positive integer.
Where to get help
Your teacher and your board's specification. Bitesize for worked examples, and the subject song for the topic list.
Revise this with a song
These are ours. We write revision songs because a lot of people remember a tune when they cannot remember a page, and because revising out loud in the kitchen beats staring at a highlighter.
- The Maths Song The GCSE maths topics, in order.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.