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The first four terms of a pattern are given below. 4, -1, -6, -11, ... What is the eighth term of the pattern?

1 Answer

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Answer:

-31

Explanation:

If we continue to subtract 5 from the previous term, the sequence continues ...

4, -1, -6, -11, -16, -21, -26, -31, -36, ...

The 8th term is -31.

_____

This is an arithmetic sequence with first term a1 = 4 and common difference d = -5. The general term (an) of such a sequence is ...

an = a1 +d(n -1)

Filling in the values for this sequence, the general term is ...

an = 4 -5(n -1)

Then the 8th term is ...

a8 = 4 -5(8 -1) = 4 -35

a8 = -31

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