SSAT Upper Level Math : How to find the next term in an arithmetic sequence

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #551 : Number Concepts And Operations

Find the next term in the following arithmetic sequence:

\(\displaystyle 13, 10, 7, ?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Explanation:

The sequence is subtracting \(\displaystyle 3\) for each term. The next term can be found by subtracting \(\displaystyle 3\) from \(\displaystyle 7\):

\(\displaystyle 7-3=4\)

Example Question #552 : Number Concepts And Operations

Find the next number in this arithmetic sequence:

\(\displaystyle -10, -20, -30, ?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 35\)

\(\displaystyle 40\)

\(\displaystyle -40\)

\(\displaystyle -35\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle -40\)

Explanation:

The common difference for this arithmetic sequence is \(\displaystyle -10\). Take away \(\displaystyle 10\) from \(\displaystyle -30\) to get the next term.

\(\displaystyle -30-10=-40\)

Example Question #553 : Number Concepts And Operations

Find the next term in this arithmetic sequence:

\(\displaystyle 16, 13, 10, ?\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 13\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Explanation:

The common difference for this sequence is \(\displaystyle -3\). Subtract \(\displaystyle 3\) from the last given term to find the next term.

\(\displaystyle 10-3=7\)

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