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Find the common difference of the arithmetic sequence [tex]-18, -13, -8, \ldots[/tex]

Answer: [tex]\square[/tex]


Sagot :

To find the common difference of the arithmetic sequence given by the terms [tex]\(-18, -13, -8, \ldots\)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Identify Consecutive Terms:
- The first term, [tex]\(a_1\)[/tex], is [tex]\(-18\)[/tex].
- The second term, [tex]\(a_2\)[/tex], is [tex]\(-13\)[/tex].
- The third term, [tex]\(a_3\)[/tex], is [tex]\(-8\)[/tex].

2. Calculate the Common Difference:
- Recall that in an arithmetic sequence, the common difference [tex]\(d\)[/tex] is the difference between any two consecutive terms.

3. Find the Difference Between the Second and First Term:
[tex]\[ d = a_2 - a_1 \][/tex]
Substituting the terms, we get:
[tex]\[ d = -13 - (-18) \][/tex]
Simplify the expression inside the parentheses:
[tex]\[ d = -13 + 18 \][/tex]
Now calculate the sum:
[tex]\[ d = 5 \][/tex]

4. Verify the Common Difference with Another Pair of Consecutive Terms:
- Checking the difference between the third term and the second term:
[tex]\[ d = a_3 - a_2 \][/tex]
Substituting the terms, we get:
[tex]\[ d = -8 - (-13) \][/tex]
Simplify the expression inside the parentheses:
[tex]\[ d = -8 + 13 \][/tex]
Now calculate the sum:
[tex]\[ d = 5 \][/tex]

Therefore, the common difference in the arithmetic sequence [tex]\(-18, -13, -8, \ldots\)[/tex] is [tex]\(5\)[/tex].