The common difference

Question

In a sequence, the first term is 4 and the common difference is 3. The fifth term of this sequence is

Answer 1

A formula is not needed here.  You have your first term and common difference.  Use them to write a pattern.

 

4 , 7 , 10 , 13 , 16

 

 

You have 5 terms in all.  The 5th term is 16.

 

 

 

Answer 2

Hi Frank,

 

This is an arithmetic sequence since there is a common difference.

In an arithmetic sequence, nth terms is equal to

a_n = a₁ + (n-1)d   a1 is the first term and d is the common difference.

a₅ = 4 + (5-1)3

a₅ = 16