We can say that if the term of arithmetic progression decrease in magnitude then the common difference must be <u>negative</u>.
An arithmetic progression is a sequence where every term is a sum of the previous term and a common difference.
If we suppose the first term of an arithmetic progression to be a, and the common difference to be d, then the arithmetic progression goes like this:
The first term, a₁ = a,
Second term, a₂ = a₁ + d = a + d,
Third term, a₃ = a₂ + d = a + 2d,
Fourth term, a₄ = a₃ + d = a + 3d, and it goes so on up to,
The n-th term, aₙ = aₙ₋₁ + d = a + (n - 1)d.
In the question, we are asked if the term of arithmetic progression decrease in magnitude then what can we say about the common difference.
As the magnitude of the term decreases, we can show that as:
The n-th term < The first term,
or, aₙ < a₁,
or, a + (n - 1)d < a,
or, a + (n - 1)d - a < a - a {Subtracting a from both sides},
or, (n - 1)d < 0.
Since, n > 1, (n - 1) > 0, thus we get the common difference, d < 0, that is, the common difference is negative.
Thus, we can say that if the term of arithmetic progression decrease in magnitude then the common difference must be <u>negative</u>.
Learn more about arithmetic progressions at
brainly.com/question/6561461
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