For the following sequence determine the common difference (if it is an arithmetic sequence) or the common ratio (if it is a geometric sequence).8,−24,72,…32−32−31−3
Q. For the following sequence determine the common difference (if it is an arithmetic sequence) or the common ratio (if it is a geometric sequence).8,−24,72,…32−32−31−3
Identify Sequence Type: To determine if the sequence is arithmetic or geometric, we need to examine the pattern of the terms. For an arithmetic sequence, we subtract consecutive terms to find a common difference. For a geometric sequence, we divide consecutive terms to find a common ratio.
Check Arithmetic Sequence: First, let's check if it's an arithmetic sequence by subtracting the second term from the first term: −24−8=−32. Then, subtract the third term from the second term: 72−(−24)=72+24=96. Since −32 does not equal 96, the sequence is not arithmetic because the differences are not the same.
Check Geometric Sequence: Now, let's check if it's a geometric sequence by dividing the second term by the first term: −24÷8=−3. Then, divide the third term by the second term: 72÷(−24)=−3. Since both ratios are the same, the sequence is geometric with a common ratio of −3.
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