What is a formula for the nth term of the given sequence?

minus, 10, comma, minus, 19, comma, minus, 28, point, point, .
−10,−19,−28

1 answer

To find the formula for the \( n \)th term of the given sequence \(-10, -19, -28, \ldots\), we can start by identifying the pattern in the sequence.

Let's first look at the differences between consecutive terms:

  1. \(-19 - (-10) = -19 + 10 = -9\)
  2. \(-28 - (-19) = -28 + 19 = -9\)

The difference between terms is constant at \(-9\). This indicates that the sequence is arithmetic, where the common difference \( d = -9 \).

An arithmetic sequence can be described with the general formula:

\[ a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d \]

Where:

  • \( a_n \) is the \( n \)th term,
  • \( a_1 \) is the first term,
  • \( d \) is the common difference,
  • \( n \) is the term number.

For this sequence:

  • The first term \( a_1 = -10 \),
  • The common difference \( d = -9 \).

Plugging in these values into the formula gives us:

\[ a_n = -10 + (n - 1)(-9) \] \[ a_n = -10 - 9(n - 1) \] \[ a_n = -10 - 9n + 9 \] \[ a_n = -9n - 1 \]

Thus, the formula for the \( n \)th term of the sequence is:

\[ \boxed{-9n - 1} \]