answersLogoWhite

0

What is an common difference?

Updated: 4/28/2022
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Best Answer

A common difference is a mathematical concept that appears in arithmetic sequences. An arithmetic sequence is a sequence of numbers, U(1), U(2), ... generated by the following rule:

U(1) = a

U(2) = U(1) + d

U(3) = U(2) + d

and, in general,

U(n) = U(n-1) + d

that is, you have a starting number a and, after that, each term in the sequence is found by adding a fixed number, d, to the previous term in the sequence.

An equivalent formulation is U(n) = a + (n-1)*d

The difference between any two consecutive terms is d and this is the common difference.

For example, in the sequence 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, .... the common difference is 4.

This is because 7-3 = 4

11-7 = 4

15-11 = 4 and so on.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is an common difference?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the difference between any two successive terms in a arithmetic sequence?

It is the "common difference".It is the "common difference".It is the "common difference".It is the "common difference".


How can you determine whether the arithmetic sequence has a positive common difference or a negative common difference?

If the terms get bigger as you go along, the common difference is positive. If they get smaller, the common difference is negative and if they stay the same then the common difference is 0.


What is a common difference?

The common difference is the difference between two numbers in an arithmetic sequence.


What does common difference mean on math?

Common Difference means the difference between two numbers.


What is the difference of greatest common factor and the greatest common divisor?

No difference.


What is the difference between the great northern loon and the common loon?

The difference is "great northern" and "common".


What is the difference between Common Wealth vs State?

What is the difference between a common wealth and a state?


What is a common difference in algebra?

Common difference, in the context of arithmetic sequences is the difference between one element of the sequence and the element before it.


What is the difference between bill and invoice?

What is the difference between Invoice & Bill, in common terms. What is the difference between Invoice & Bill, in common terms.


What is the difference between the common and scientific names of an organisms?

what is the difference between the common and scientific name of an organisms


Can zero be the common difference for arithmetic progression?

yes. A zero common difference represents a constant sequence.


What is the difference between common good and general welfare?

Depending on the context of the terms it might indeed display a difference. In common parlance however there would be no difference between them. Considering common and general to mean the same thing, there is no difference. Considering welfare not as "free stuff" but meaning the same as good then there is no difference.