What is the 6th term in the sequence below? 4,-8, 16, -32,
2 answers:
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Answer:
1/9, 3, 27
(A / the first option listed)
Step-by-step explanation:
Here, we are given an expression with an "x" in it, and we are to evaluate possible x values, which means we plug them in as the x in the expression
first,
x = -2
3ˣ → 3⁻²
when we raise something to a negative power, we simply find the positive version of that power, and put a 1 over it:
3² = 3 · 3 = 9
so, 3⁻² = (1/9)
next,
x = 1
3ˣ → 3¹
now, here we have something raised to the power of 1, which is always itself, so 3¹ = 3
(think of ^to the power of as how many times we multiply that number, so 3² = 3 · 3, 3¹ = 3)
and finally,
x = 3
3ˣ → 3³
here, we can multiply 3 by itself 3 times:
3 · 3 · 3 = 27
so, 3³ = 27
[<em>important note</em><em>: when we raise something to a power, we are </em><u><em>not</em></u><em> multiplying the base number by that number, but this is a common mistake. but the exponent is how many times we are multiplying that number, which is confusing at first}</em>
So, our answers in order are:
1/9, 3, 27 (the first option listed)
hope this helps! let me know if I should clarify anything :)