Question

Consider the sequence:
5, 8, 11, 14, 17,...
Determine the 43rd term of the sequence.

Answer 1

131

Explanation:

Note that the difference between consecutive terms is constant, that is

8 - 5 = 11 - 8 = 14 - 11 = 17 - 14 = 3

This indicates that the terms form an arithmetic sequence with

`a_(n)` = a₁ + (n - 1)d

where a₁ is the first term and d the common difference

Here a₁ = 5 and d = 3, thus

`a_(43)` = 5 + (42 × 3) = 5 + 126 = 131