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 #31 : Arithmetic Sequences

Find the next term in the following arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle 13, 10, 7, ?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 3

\displaystyle 5

\displaystyle 4

\displaystyle 2

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 #32 : Arithmetic Sequences

Find the next number in this arithmetic sequence:

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

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle -40

\displaystyle 35

\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 #33 : Arithmetic Sequences

Find the next term in this arithmetic sequence:

\displaystyle 16, 13, 10, ?

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle 7

\displaystyle 8

\displaystyle 13

\displaystyle 9

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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