The common difference of the arithmetic progression 10, 8, 6, 4 is -2.
This is an arithmetic progression because there's a constant difference between consecutive terms. To find the common difference, subtract any term from the term that follows it. For example:
- 8 - 10 = -2
- 6 - 8 = -2
- 4 - 6 = -2
Each calculation results in -2, confirming that the common difference (often denoted as 'd') is -2. Multiple sources confirm this: Vedantu states, "The common difference of the arithmetic sequence 10, 8, 6, 4, 2,… is -2." Similarly, Socratic explains that "the common difference is −2." The consistent difference between consecutive terms defines this as an arithmetic sequence.
The general formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is an = a1 + (n-1)d, where a1 is the first term, d is the common difference, and n is the term number. In this sequence, a1 = 10 and d = -2.
