To identify the rule for generating the next term in the sequence 23, 19.5, 16, 12.5, we first need to determine the pattern between the terms.
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The difference between the first term (23) and the second term (19.5) is: \( 23 - 19.5 = 3.5 \)
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The difference between the second term (19.5) and the third term (16) is: \( 19.5 - 16 = 3.5 \)
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The difference between the third term (16) and the fourth term (12.5) is: \( 16 - 12.5 = 3.5 \)
Since each term is decreasing by a constant amount (which is 3.5), we see that the pattern involves subtracting 3.5 from each term to get the next term.
Therefore, the corresponding statement that correctly determines the rule for generating the next term is: Add the common difference of -3.5.
However, the phrasing "Add the common difference of -3.5" can be understood as effectively subtracting 3.5.