Question

Which expression can be used to find the nth term for the sequence below?

2, 5, 10, 17, ...

(A) t=n+3
(B) t=n^2+1
(C) t=2n+1
(D) t=3n-1


[^ means exponent]
**Please explain how to get this answer bc I'm really stumped here...**

Answer 1

So the general formula is:

a(n)=1+n^2

Let's check:

a(1)=1+1^2=1+1=2

a(2)=1+2^2=1+4=5

a(3)=1+3^2=1+9=10

a(4)=1+4^2=1+16=17

The next numbers in the sequence should be:

a(5)=1+5^2=1+25=26

a(6)=1+6^2=1+36=37 etc.