So a sequence is a set (list) of numbers, generally one that follows some rule.

1, 2, 3, ... etc. or
2, 4, 6, ...

Of course, sequences don't have to be numeric and some kinds of brain teaser problems will show a sequence of pictorials and invite the problem-solver to figure out the rule that generated that sequence and to compute the next object in the sequence.

I just looked up the word sequence on Etymology Online Dictionary. It derives as "hymn sung after the Hallelujah and before the Gospel," from O.Fr. sequence "answering verses" (13c.), from M.L. sequentia "a following, a succession," from L. sequentem (nom. sequens), prp. of sequi "to follow".

In math they also talk about series - which is the summation of the elements of an infinite sequence. Series comes from "1610s, "a number or set of things of one kind arranged in a line," from L. series "row, chain, series," from serere "to join, link, bind together, put," from PIE base *ser- "to line up, join" according to the same source.

So sequence is a succession and a series is a joining together. The distinction makes sense in light of their root words. Maybe now I won't keep forgetting which word means what.

In the Roman Church the "Sequence" is sung on Easter. That's
about it. Long gone like so many things in that Church.

the "Sequence" is sung on Easter. Never heard of that one.

a series is a joining together. Um, K? How about a television series as a mnemonic?

Sequence: Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequence_(poetry)


and the Easter Sequence: Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victimae_paschali_laudes

Neither had I till I saw the etymology.

Then we get a sequence of sports contests that build towards a World Series

In a SEQUENCE, order matters.

like in DNA sequencing which determines what a gene is to become.

Ok..had to come back to post this......I found when researching something completely different, but thats what it is like when an idea is lying dormant your head...it swims around and pops up anytime

A Fibonacci sequence.
In their simplest form, a sequence of numbers 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 337, 610, 987, 1597, 2584, 4181, 6765, etc., in which each successive number is equal to the sum of the two preceding numbers.

It works with the fractional version to 1/1, 1/2, 2/3, 3/5, 5/8, 8/13 . . . .

Named after Leonardo Fibonacci (1175 - c.1250)(pr. FEE-bə-NAH-chee), an Italian mathematician, they have unusual characteristics with possible applications in botony, astronomy, and psychology, as well as in the arts. (I just copied that bit, I don't really know.)

I had actually typed a bunch of stuff on Fibonacci sequence in my original msg, but deleted it before posting, because I thought no one would be interested.

The ratio of successive Fibonacci #s approaches the Golden ratio (which I derive towards the end of the following page)
http://reocities.com/athens/8994/ratio.txt

There's a number of interesting properties in Nature:
Sunflower petals : http://www.popmath.org.uk/rpamaths/rpampages/sunflower.html

http://www.dace.co.uk/proportion_phi.htm

I recall vaguely from years ago that some computer scientists were looking at Fibonacci as a way to address certain memory allocation problems, but I don't know if anything came of it.

Whew!
Shades of DaVinci Code here.

I wrote out a multiplicative Fibonacci once. of course, you have to ignore the initial 1 x1 because it gets stuck there real fast! but it gets big quickly, too. fun stuff.

And a lot of myths too, including the myth that the nautilus shell exhibits the golden ratio.

I hear what he's saying, of course, especially the DaVinci stuff, but for most people the difference between a logarithmic spiral and the GR is pretty minor. most people would have trouble telling the difference between Haydn and Mozart. his examples point out that the GR is fundamental to much of nature. that's pretty mystical to people that haven't had a science class for 30 years.

Nice article. There's a list of his articles here: http://www.maa.org/devlin/

tx,
tff

I always like reading about numbers and math because it is my weakest subject. I read the Devlin article and learned some things (or ones I had forgotten) even just on the basic definition of the Golden Ratio. So...if no one really used it why do people make such a fuss about it?
I was always fascinated about 'exponential' (I am not sure that is not the correct word) things like compounding interest etc.

Fibonacci ah... that's how the runner beans wind. (is all I know), but the mathematical spiral is beautiful.

that's how the runner beans wind. ?? Ok, you gotta tell me how you figured that out!

not the answer you were after Jackie but this video shows time-lapse germination of the Phaseolus Runner Bean in sequence

Nice film, Candy.

Yeah, cool, but kind of creepy (OW just realized the pun!) too.

those leaves looked like they were dancing towards the end of that clip...some middle eastern style music...they needed some veils/scarves and some tinkling little bells.

now that proves what a ViVid imagination you have....va-vavoom




that PUN was humerus, Jackie...tickled me funny bone.

Hey--yer humerus ain't no funny bone!