Math  /  Algebra

QuestionThe first three terms of a sequence are given. Write your answer as a decimal or whole number. Round to the nearest thousandth (if necessary). 2,7,12,2,7,12, \ldots
Find the 46 th term.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're figuring out what the 46th number is in a list of numbers that starts with 2, 7, and 12. Watch out! Don't just add 5 to 12 forty-three times!
There's a slicker way.

STEP 2

1. Find the Pattern
2. Create the Formula
3. Calculate the 46th Term

STEP 3

Alright, let's look closely at these numbers: 2, 7, and 12.
What's happening here?

STEP 4

From 2 to 7, we're adding 5.
From 7 to 12, we're also adding 5!
So, this looks like an **arithmetic sequence** with a **common difference** of 55.

STEP 5

The formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is an=a1+(n1)da_n = a_1 + (n-1) \cdot d, where ana_n is the term we're looking for, a1a_1 is the **first term**, nn is the term number, and dd is the **common difference**.

STEP 6

In our case, the **first term** a1a_1 is 22, and the **common difference** dd is 55.
We want to find the 46th term, so n=46n = 46.
Let's plug these values into our formula!

STEP 7

Substituting our values, we get a46=2+(461)5a_{46} = 2 + (46-1) \cdot 5.

STEP 8

First, inside the parentheses, 461=4546 - 1 = 45.
So, our formula becomes a46=2+455a_{46} = 2 + 45 \cdot 5.

STEP 9

Next, we multiply: 455=22545 \cdot 5 = 225.
Now, we have a46=2+225a_{46} = 2 + 225.

STEP 10

Finally, we add: 2+225=2272 + 225 = 227.
So, the 46th term is **227**!

STEP 11

The 46th term of the sequence is 227\boxed{227}.

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