Final answer:
The question deals with a mathematical pattern where the rule is to subtract 4 from each number to find the next term in the sequence. It involves the concept of arithmetic sequences and can be solved by applying the rules of addition and subtraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to a mathematical pattern that follows the rule of subtracting 4. This concept is often taught in arithmetic and involves understanding the operation of subtraction. When the rule states to subtract 4, it means that from each number in the sequence, the number 4 should be taken away to get the next number in the pattern.
For example, starting with the number 5, if we subtract 4, we get 1. If we start with 10 and subtract 4, we get 6. This process repeats for each consecutive number in the pattern. This is a simple arithmetic sequence where the common difference is -4. If given a sequence of numbers, we apply the rule of subtraction by changing the sign of the number 4 to its negative and then adding it to the given number in the sequence, following the general rules of addition and subtraction.