Question

find the missing value of x in the arithmetic sequence 23, 18, x, 8, 3

Explanation:

Step1: Find the common difference

In an arithmetic sequence, the common difference \(d\) is the difference between consecutive terms. Let's find \(d\) using the first two terms: \(d = 18 - 23=- 5\).

Step2: Calculate \(x\)

To find \(x\), we add the common difference to the second term (18). So \(x=18 + d\). Substituting \(d = - 5\), we get \(x = 18+( - 5)=13\). We can also verify by checking the next terms: \(13+( - 5)=8\) and \(8+( - 5)=3\), which matches the given sequence.

Answer:

13