The sequence 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, continues in the same pattern. What is its 8th term?

Worked solution for TMUA-P1-MM2-011 is revealed on this page behind the solution details.

Why isn't the answer to TMUA-P1-MM2-011 shown upfront?

The options are lettered without marking the correct one so you attempt TMUA-P1-MM2-011 first — TMUA questions reward spotting the trap before you check the worked solution below.

Do I need a calculator for TMUA-P1-MM2-011?

No — calculators are banned in the TMUA. TMUA-P1-MM2-011 is set for a no-calculator target of about 210 seconds; the worked solution shows the fastest by-hand route.

Which TMUA specification point is TMUA-P1-MM2-011?

TMUA-P1-MM2-011 is Paper P1 · Sequences and series (specification code MM2), level 2. Drill more of the same topic from this page.

TMUA-P1-MM2-011 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

P1MM2Level 2~210s target

Spec: MM2 · No calculator · ~210s

The sequence

2, 6, 12, 20, 30, \dots

continues in the same pattern. What is its 8th term?

Options

$42$
$56$
$64$
$72$
$90$

Letters only — the answer key is hidden. Work it out, then check the solution below.

Hint (check trope)

No written hint yet — check the trope: quadratic-sequence, square-number-trap. Name the trap first, work the stem by hand, then open the solution below.

Show solution

First differences grow by

2

each time (

4, 6, 8, \dots

), giving the

n

th term

n(n+1)

. For

n = 8

8 \times 9 = 72

. Trap:

64

assumes the terms are pure squares — plausible since

2, 6, 12

sit near

1, 4, 9

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Step up a level
P1MM2Level 3
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Keep practising

Same topic · same level

P1MM2Level 2

TMUA-P1-MM2-006

A sequence is defined by u_1 = 5 and u_n+1 = 2u_n - 3. What is the value of u_3?

Sequences and series

Open TMUA-P1-MM2-006 →

Same trap: square-number-trap

P2PRF4Level 2

TMUA-P2Y-PRF-012

Disprove the claim: for all real numbers x and y, (x + y)^2 = x^2 + y^2.

Disproof by counterexample

Open TMUA-P2Y-PRF-012 →

Step up a level

P1MM2Level 3

TMUA-P1-MM2-012

An arithmetic series has first term 7 and common difference 4. What is the smallest n such that the sum of the first n t…

Sequences and series

Open TMUA-P1-MM2-012 →

TMUA-P1-MM2-011 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

Options

Keep practising

Master Sequences and series

TMUA-P1-MM2-011 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

Options

Keep practising

Master Sequences and series