Question

the first term of the sequence is 1, and the fith term is 47. If the difference between the consecutive terms is constant, what is the second term?

Answer 1

If the difference between consecutive terms is constant, then we are dealing with an arithmetic sequence.

We can see the arithmetic sequence as being:
\[ a_1, a_1+d, a_1+2d, a_1+3d, a_1+4d\\
= a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5\]

Your problem gives you \(a_1=1\) , and \(a_5=47\)

Can you figure out \(d\) using the information?

Answer 2

hint:
\(a_5=a_1+4d \)