An arithmetic sequence is characterized by the fact that there is a common difference between consecutive terms and it can be written in the form:
a_n=a_1+(n-1)d,
This is a linear function. If we think of a_n as the y values and n as the x values, then we can think of d as the slope, as a_1 as the y-intercept. Our function then looks very similar to the slope-intercept form:
y=b+(x-1)m.
Additionally, in an arithmetic sequence, n must be whole numbers:
First term:& n=1
Second term:& n=2
Third term:& n=3
As with any function where the domain is limited to positive integers, the domain is discrete. In general, an arithmetic sequence looks similar to the graph shown below.
