An arithmetic sequence is given by 5, 8, 11,... How do you find the value of d?

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-18T13:45:44

#color(blue)(d=3)#

The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by:

#a+(n-1)d#

Where #bba# is the first term, #bbd# is the common difference and #bbn# is the nth term.

We have:

#a=5#

looking at the second element, we have:

#5+(2-1)d=8#

#5+d=8=>d=3#

Answer 2 · 2018-07-18T22:49:22

#d=3#

In an arithmetic sequence, #d# is our common difference, or the value we add/subtract to go to the next term.

To get from #5# to #8#, we can add #3#.

To get from #8# to #11#, we can add #3#.

In an arithmetic sequence, we always add or subtract the same amount. We see that to get to the next term, we add #3#.

This is our #d#.

Hope this helps!