Question

What is the common difference of the arithmetic sequence −8x, −5x, −2x, x, 4x
?(1 point)
Responses

−14x
negative 14 x

4x
4 x

−3x
negative 3 x

3x

Answer 1

To find the common difference of the arithmetic sequence \(-8x, -5x, -2x, x, 4x\), we calculate the difference between consecutive terms.

1. The difference between the second term and the first term:
\[
-5x - (-8x) = -5x + 8x = 3x
\]

2. The difference between the third term and the second term:
\[
-2x - (-5x) = -2x + 5x = 3x
\]

3. The difference between the fourth term and the third term:
\[
x - (-2x) = x + 2x = 3x
\]

4. The difference between the fifth term and the fourth term:
\[
4x - x = 4x - 1x = 3x
\]

Since the difference is consistent throughout the terms, the common difference of the arithmetic sequence is \(3x\).

Thus, the correct response is:

**3x**.