One important use of letters in algebra is to describe patterns in a quantitative and general way. We look at the `sequences’ of square numbers and triangular numbers, and derive formulas for the nth terms. A table of differences shed light on these and other number patterns.
Duration : 0:9:32
[youtube 0QwESq4hCZQ]
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the reply
Would you be able to produce a small video to better explain this please?
I have seen this before in the book “A Primer on Numerical Sequences”, but so far have not been able to make a crystal clear connection on how these relate to deriving an equation from a sequence on numbers – based on the depth and values in the table.
Wildberger, your …
Wildberger, your videos are uniformly excellent.
Hi newtonparticle, …
Hi newtonparticle,
Yes, the difference operator is the discrete analog of a derivative, and there are many parallels between the two concepts. That is one reason why young people would do well learning about tables of differences.
Good question.
Does the table of …
Does the table of differences have any relation to ‘derivatives’?
This is my favorite …
This is my favorite YouTube channel.