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Determine if the given sequence is an arithmetic sequence. If itis, identify the common difference.-8, -11, -14, -17.O Yes, the common difference isO Yes, the common difference is 3O Yes, the common difference is -3O No, there is no common difference

User Vinhboy
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1 Answer

5 votes

Solution

Explanation:

First of all, this would be an arithmetic sequence, because there is a constant value being added (or effectively subtracted, if the value is negative) to each subsequent number in the sequence.

To find the common difference, ie. what value is added, we must take a term from the sequence and subtract the previous term from it.

Using the first two terms, -8 and -11:

-11 - (-8) = -11 + 8

= -3

You can check if this is right by taking another term from the sequence and trying to add the common difference, then seeing if this value matches the next term.

Taking the third and fourth terms, -14 and -17:

- 14 + (-3) = -14 - 3

= -17

The fourth term is also -17.

Yes, the common difference is -3

User Nikos Tsokos
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