Question

Find the 53rd term of the arithmetic sequence 27, comma, 11, comma, minus, 5, comma, point, point, .27,11,−5,...

Answer 1

- 805

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Find the common difference

In this case, the common difference is:

• d = 11 - 27 = -16 or
• d = - 5 - 11 = - 16

Find the 53rd term

Use the formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence:

• aₙ = a₁ + (n - 1)d

Plugging in the values, we get:

• a₅₃ = 27 + (53 - 1)(- 16) = - 805