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# In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege

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In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege  [#permalink]

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06 Mar 2017, 01:45
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35% (medium)

Question Stats:

69% (21:59) correct 31% (02:30) wrong based on 58 sessions

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In the sequence a1, a2, … an, $$a_n=\frac{n^2∗(n+1)^2}{4}$$ for all positive integers n. In terms of n, what is the value of $$a_{n+1}–a_n$$?

A. n+1
B. 8n^2
C. (n+2)^2
D. 9n^2−8n+7
E. (n+1)^3

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In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege  [#permalink]

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Updated on: 06 Mar 2017, 18:33
1
Let’s ignore the denominator until the end to make it easier
(n+1)² (n+2)² - [n²(n+1)²]
(n²+2n+1)(n²+4n+4) – [n²(n² + 2n + 1)]
n²(n²+4n+4)+2n(n²+4n+4)+ 1(n²+4n+4) – [n⁴ + 2n³ + n²]
n⁴ + 4n³ + 4n² + 2n³ + 8n² + 8n + n² + 4n + 4 - n⁴ - 2n³ - n²
(4n³ + 12n² + 12n + 4)/4
n³ + 3n² + 3n + 1 = (n+1)³

Therefore, E is the answer. Sorry about the first post. I should have checked over my working out.

Originally posted by matthewsmith_89 on 06 Mar 2017, 11:55.
Last edited by matthewsmith_89 on 06 Mar 2017, 18:33, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege  [#permalink]

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06 Mar 2017, 12:02
1
an+1–an = [(n+1) ^2 * (n+2)^2]/4 - [(n) ^2 * (n+1)^2]/4
= [(n+1) ^2]/4] [(n+2)^2 - (n) ^2]
= [(n+1) ^2]/4] [(n) ^2 + 4 + 4n - (n) ^2]
= [(n+1) ^2]/4] [4(n+1)]
= (n+1)^3

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Re: In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege  [#permalink]

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09 Mar 2017, 17:21
2
Bunuel wrote:
In the sequence a1, a2, … an, $$a_n=\frac{n^2∗(n+1)^2}{4}$$ for all positive integers n. In terms of n, what is the value of $$a_{n+1}–a_n$$?

A. n+1
B. 8n^2
C. (n+2)^2
D. 9n^2−8n+7
E. (n+1)^3

Since a(n) = [n^2 * (n+1)^2]/4, a(n+1) = [(n+ 1)^2 * (n+2)^2]/4, and thus:

a(n+1) - a(n)

[(n+ 1)^2 * (n+2)^2]/4 - [n^2 * (n+1)^2]/4

Pull out the common factor (n + 1)^2 from each term:

(n + 1)^2[(n + 2)^2 - n^2]/4

Note that the expression in the square brackets is a difference of squares, which can easily be factored:

(n + 1)^2[(n + 2 - n)(n + 2 + n)]/4

(n + 1)^2[2(2n + 2)]/4

(n + 1)^2[2 * 2(n + 1)]/4

(n + 1)^2[4(n + 1)]/4

(n + 1)^2 * (n + 1)

(n + 1)^3

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Re: In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege  [#permalink]

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29 Jul 2018, 23:45
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Re: In the sequence a1, a2, … an, an=n^2∗(n+1)^2/4 for all positive intege &nbs [#permalink] 29 Jul 2018, 23:45
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