Find the common difference of the arithmetic sequence: { 8 , 5 , 2 , − 1 , − 4 , ... }

Question

Find the common difference of the arithmetic sequence:

 {8,5,2,−1,−4,...}

d=

Answer 1

Hi Svetlana,

How do you go from 8 to 5? 5 to 2? From 2 to -1? From -1 to -4? That number is the common difference.

In other words, what is:

5 - 8 = ?

2 - 5 = ?

-1 - 2 = ?

-4 - (-1) = ?

It's the same answer every time. Do the math, and the answer is the common difference. You got this.