Question

calculate the 42nd term of the arithmetic sequence {an}={4.5,2,-0.5,-3,-5.5,...} show all work

Answer 1

Answer:

$a_{42}=-98$

Step-by-step explanation:

Arithmetic sequence formula:

$a_n=a_1+(n-1)d$, where a is the term, n is the position of the term, and d is the common difference between the terms.

Plug in values:

$a_{42}=4.5+(42-1)(-2.5)$

Solve:

$a_{42}=4.5+(41)(-2.5)\\a_{42}=4.5-102.5\\a_{42}=-98$