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In a linear sequence, what exactly is the common difference?
AEach term times the one before
BEach term minus the one before
CEach term plus the one before
DThe first term of the whole list
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Each term minus the one before
1. A linear sequence grows or shrinks by the same step every time.
2. The common difference is the difference between any term and the term before it.
3. Subtracting in the wrong order gives the answer the wrong sign.
4. If that difference is not the same for every pair, the sequence is not linear.
_Source: Siyavula Mathematics Grade 10 (Everything Maths, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 3: Number patterns_