Answer:
-12
Explanation:
Given:
16, 9, 2, -5
Required:
Next term of the sequence (the 5th term)
SOLUTION:
The sequence given is an arithmetic progression. Because it has a the same common difference between each successive terms, i.e. 9 - 16 = -7; 2 - 9 = -7; -5 - 2 = -7.
Any term of an arithmetic sequence can be calculated using the formula: Tn = a + (n - 1) d,
Where, a = first term = 16
Tn = nth term
n = 5 (we are looking for the 5th term which is the next term of the sequence)
d = commons difference = -7
Plug the above values into the nth term formula for AP:
Tn = a + (n - 1) d
5th term = 16 + (5 - 1)-7
5th term = 16 + (4)-7 = 16 - 28
5th term = -12
