Mistake Master

Change in Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Two step rules generate the unit. An arithmetic sequence adds a constant difference each step and grows along a line. A geometric sequence multiplies by a constant ratio each step and grows along an exponential curve. Both come in explicit form (jump to term n in one evaluation) and recursive form (take one step at a time), and the subscript in either is a step count, not a decoration.

The mistakes are two: treating multiplicative growth as if it added a fixed amount, and losing count of steps, using n steps where the sequence starts at term 1 and only n - 1 steps have been taken. Both are named and drilled in the lesson.

The work

3 ways in · any order
Lesson
Change in Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Constant difference or constant ratio: the lesson separates the two step rules, connects explicit and recursive forms, and drills the indexing discipline that keeps exponents honest. Ten scenarios close it out: identify, extend, and jump to distant terms of both families.

Skill check · 10 scenarios
Diagnostic
10-item topic check

Ten items spanning the two Topic 2.1 misconceptions: extending a constant-ratio pattern additively, and off-by-one step counts between explicit and recursive forms. The bank ships with the Unit 2 data drop.

Coming soon · 10 items
Targeted Practice
Drill a single misconception

Pick one of the failure modes you missed and drill it on its own. The round is adaptive: two correct in a row clears the misconception and moves you to the next.

Take the diagnostic to identify your misconceptions