Question

What is the common difference for this arithmetic sequence? -6, -2, 2, 6, 10 ....

a) 4
b) 3
c) 6
d) 5

Answer 1

The common difference of the arithmetic sequence {-6, -2, 2, 6, 10, ...} is found by subtracting any term from the term that follows it, in this case, the difference is consistently 4, which is answer option a.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked what the common difference is for the arithmetic sequence provided. An arithmetic sequence is characterized by a constant difference between consecutive terms. To find the common difference, we subtract any term in the sequence from the term that follows it.

• Comparing the first and second term: -2 - (-6) = 4
• Comparing the second and third term: 2 - (-2) = 4
• Comparing the third and fourth term: 6 - 2 = 4
• Comparing the fourth and fifth term: 10 - 6 = 4

All these calculations result in a common difference of 4. Therefore, the correct answer is a) 4.