Question

If the first term of an AP is 4 and the common difference is -4, then find the next term.

• A. -4
• B. 8
• C. -16

Answer 1

The $n^{\text{th}}$ term of an AP with first term $a$ and common difference $d$ is given by
$a_n=a+(n-1)d.$

Given $a=4$ and $d=-4.$
$\therefore a_2=4+(2-1)(-4)=0$
Thus, the second term of the AP is 0.
OR
We know that $a_2=a_1+d=a+d.$
$⟹a_2=4-4=0$