Question

Which of the following statements correctly determines the rule for generating the next term in the sequence 23, 19.5, 16, 12.5, . . .? (1 point)
Responses

Multiply by the common ratio of −3.5
.
Multiply by the common ratio of negative 3.5 .

Add the common ratio of −3.5
.
Add the common ratio of negative 3.5 .

Add the common difference of −3.5
.
Add the common difference of negative 3.5 .

Multiply by the common difference of −3.5
.

Answer 1

To determine the rule for generating the next term in the sequence 23, 19.5, 16, 12.5, we first identify how the sequence changes from one term to the next.

1. From 23 to 19.5:
\( 19.5 - 23 = -3.5 \)

2. From 19.5 to 16:
\( 16 - 19.5 = -3.5 \)

3. From 16 to 12.5:
\( 12.5 - 16 = -3.5 \)

The same change of -3.5 occurs for each transition. This indicates that we are **adding a common difference of -3.5** to each term to get the next term.

So the correct statement is:

**Add the common difference of −3.5.**