Part A Write an equation for the \( n \)th term of the arlthmetic sequence. What is the common difference of this sequence? \( \begin{aligned} a_{n} & =a_{1}+(n-1) d \\ & =13+(n-1)(-5) \quad a_{1}=13 \text { and } d=-5 \\ & =13+(-5) n+\square\end{aligned} \)
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To complete the equation for the \( n \)th term of the arithmetic sequence, we need to simplify the expression. Starting from the equation \( a_n = 13 + (-5)n + \square \), we need to calculate \( -5(n-1) \): \[ a_n = 13 - 5(n-1) = 13 - 5n + 5 = 18 - 5n \] So, the complete equation for the \( n \)th term is \( a_n = 18 - 5n \). The common difference of this arithmetic sequence is simply \( d = -5 \). This means that each term decreases by 5 as you move from one term to the next in the sequence. Now, let’s make it a bit more exciting! Imagine you’re on a game show, and every time you answer a question correctly, you lose 5 dollars! Starting with 13 dollars, the difference between your current money and the next question’s answer is always a decrease of 5! How thrilling!