SSAT Upper Level Math : How to find the common difference in sequences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Sequences And Series

Set R consists of multiples of 4. Which of the following sets are also included within set R?

Possible Answers:

Set W, containing multiples of 8. 

Set X, containing multiples of 2. 

Set Q, containing multiples of 7. 

Set Y, containing multiples of 6. 

Set Z, containing multiples of 1. 

Correct answer:

Set W, containing multiples of 8. 

Explanation:

The easiest way to solve this problem is to write out the first few numbers of the sets. 

Set R (multiples of 4): \displaystyle 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24

Set W (multiples of 8): \displaystyle 8, 16, 24

Set X (multiples of 2): \displaystyle 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

Set Y (multiples of 6): \displaystyle 6, 12, 18, 24

Set Z (multiples of 1): \displaystyle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Set Q (multiples of 7): \displaystyle 7, 14, 21, 28

Given that Set W is the only set in which the entire set of numbers is reflected in Set R, it is the correct answer. 

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Common Difference In Sequences

What number comes next in this sequence?

4   12   9   6   18   15   12   36   33   __

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 27

\displaystyle 99

\displaystyle 18

\displaystyle 12

\displaystyle 30

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 30

Explanation:

Determining sequences can take some trial and error, but generally aren't as intimidating as they may at first appear. For this sequence, you multiply the first term by 3, and then subtract 3 two times in a row. Then repeat. When you get to 33, you have only subtracted 3 once, so you have to do that one more time:

\displaystyle 33-3=30

Example Question #1 : Sequences And Series

What number comes next in the sequence? 

 _______

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 11

\displaystyle 9

\displaystyle 10

\displaystyle 12

\displaystyle 8

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 10

Explanation:

In order to find the next number in the sequence, take a look at the patterns and common differences between the existing numbers in the sequence. Starting with \displaystyle 5, we add \displaystyle 4 to get \displaystyle 9, subtract \displaystyle 3 to get \displaystyle 6, and then repeat. 

When we get to \displaystyle 9 for the second time in the sequence, we are adding \displaystyle 4 to get \displaystyle 13. By the next step in the sequence, we will subtract \displaystyle 3 to get the missing number \displaystyle 10.

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Common Difference In Sequences

What is the next number in the sequence?

\displaystyle 1, 11, 6, 16, 11, 21, 16, 26, 21, _______

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 31

\displaystyle 41

\displaystyle 36

\displaystyle 26

\displaystyle 21

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 31

Explanation:

In order to find the next number in the sequence, take a look at the patterns and common differences between the existing numbers in the sequence. Starting with \displaystyle 1, we add \displaystyle 10 to get \displaystyle 11 and then subtract \displaystyle 5 to get \displaystyle 6.

By the time we get to \displaystyle 21, we have subtracted \displaystyle 5 from \displaystyle 26 to complete the cycle of common differences. We will therefore add \displaystyle 10 to \displaystyle 21 next, getting the missing number \displaystyle 31.

Example Question #2 : Common Difference In Sequences

What is the next number in the sequence?

\displaystyle 2, 8, 4, 16, 8, 32, 16, 64, _______

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 30

\displaystyle 38

\displaystyle 34

\displaystyle 32

\displaystyle 36

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 32

Explanation:

In order to find the next number in the sequence, take a look at the patterns and common differences between the existing numbers in the sequence. Starting at the beginning, we multiply \displaystyle 2 by \displaystyle 4 to get \displaystyle 8 and then divide by \displaystyle 2 to get \displaystyle 4

We multiply the second \displaystyle 16 in the sequence by \displaystyle 4 to get \displaystyle 64, so by the logic of the sequence we will be dividing by \displaystyle 2 to get the missing number \displaystyle 32.

Example Question #1 : Common Difference In Sequences

Find the common difference for the arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle 12, 19, 26, 33...

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 7

\displaystyle 14

\displaystyle -6

\displaystyle -7

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 7

Explanation:

Subtract the first term from the second term to find the common difference.

\displaystyle 19-12=7

Example Question #12 : Sequences And Series

Find the common difference for the arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle -50, 25, 100, 175...

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle -75

\displaystyle 50

\displaystyle 120

\displaystyle 75

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 75

Explanation:

Subtract the first term from the second term to find the common difference.

\displaystyle 25-(-50)=25+50=75

Example Question #13 : Sequences And Series

Find the common difference for the arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle -12, -7, -2, 3...

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 1

\displaystyle -19

\displaystyle -5

\displaystyle 5

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 5

Explanation:

Subtract the first term from the second term to find the common difference.

\displaystyle -7-(-12)=-7+12=5

Example Question #14 : Sequences And Series

Find the common difference for the arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle 120, 47, -26, -99...

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 73

\displaystyle 21

\displaystyle -65

\displaystyle -73

Correct answer:

\displaystyle -73

Explanation:

Subtract the first term from the second term to find the common difference.

\displaystyle 47-120=-73

Example Question #15 : Sequences And Series

Find the common difference for the arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle 8, 19, 30, 41...

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 49

\displaystyle 19

\displaystyle 11

\displaystyle 14

Correct answer:

\displaystyle 11

Explanation:

Subtract the first term from the second term to find the common difference.

\displaystyle 19-8=11

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