A linear sequence starts a + 2b, a + 6b, a + 10b … The 2nd term has value 8 The 5th term has value 44 Work out the values of a and b.

5th Term is a+18b=442nd term is a+ 6b=8subtract the two equations from eachother to get 12b=36 rearrange so that b=36/12=3 substitute b=3 into any of the above equations to get a; a=8-(6x3) = -10 so a=-10 and b=3

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Answered by Malini P. Maths tutor

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