Use your definition of an arithmetic sequence.
The difference between any pair of consecutive terms must be the same, if subtracted in the same direction, that is ....
(4m-8) - (m) = (m^2 - 6) - (4m-8)
4m - 8 - m = m^2 - 6 - 4m + 8
0 = m^2 - 7m + 10
(m - 2)(m - 5) = 0
m = 2 or m = 5
check:
if m = 2, the terms are 2, 0, -2 , which form an AS
if m=5, the terms are 5, 12, 19 , which form an AS
your title says "Advanced Algebra" and this is a rather basic problem
I worry .
If the number m, 4m-8, m^2-6 are the first three terms of an arithmetic sequnce, what is m?
I don't know what equation to start with. I tried getting the m from 4m-8 which is equal to 2 but the answer is different on m^2-6. Most likely my method is wrong. What should I do in this question? Thanks!
1 answer
1 answer