what does nth mean?

[Hunter100]

Okay well firstly Hello all,

I would like to know what nth means in algebra and other fields of mathematics. i have no idea what it is and can't find a simple answer at all.

so if someone could help that would be great.

[exicute]

Alright. I'm going to explain "nth" as used in the phrase "the nth term" since that's what I am assuming you are using it for.

By "the nth term" we are referring to an expression that allows us to visualize and work with a value at the "nth" position (an arbitrary position.) in a sequence of numbers.

A sequence:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10,...

Now the pattern here obviously follows this trend: (2*n).

-1st term is 2.
-2nd term is 4.
-3rd term is 6.
-4th term is 8.
-5th term is 10.
-nth term is (2*n).

"n" being any integer
The "nth term" is how we express a value at the any integer "n" in a sequence.

2, 4, 6, 8, 10,... (2n).
________________________

Why do we do this? -Simply because this sequence goes to infinity and it is not useful for us to write (2∞).

Another Example:

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128,...

Now the pattern here follows the trend: (2^n)

Therefore, the "nth" term would be (2^n) or (2 to the nth)

It is going to be hard to define what "exactly" this means since it is used to represent an arbitrary value.

[Hunter100]

Don't worry about exacts that's great clearer now

much much clearer thanks

[exicute]

Alright, no problem.