a7= −12 + (n − 1)(−4)
What is the common difference
The common difference is -4.
To find the common difference, we need to compare the terms in the arithmetic sequence.
In the given equation, a7 represents the 7th term in the sequence, and (-12 + (n - 1)(-4)) represents the general formula for the nth term.
The general formula for the nth term in an arithmetic sequence is given by: an = a1 + (n - 1)d.
Here, a1 represents the first term, d represents the common difference, and n represents the position of the term.
Comparing the given equation with the general formula, we can see that -12 represents a1 and -4 represents d.
Therefore, the common difference in the arithmetic sequence is -4.
To find the common difference in an arithmetic sequence, we need to look at the general formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence.
The general formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by:
a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d
In this case, we can see that the given equation, a7 = -12 + (n - 1)(-4), represents the 7th term of an arithmetic sequence. The value of a_1 (the first term) is unknown, but we can identify the common difference, d, by comparing the given equation with the general formula.
By comparing the two equations, we can see that:
a_1 = -12
d = -4
Therefore, the common difference in the given arithmetic sequence is -4.