What is the fourth number in this pattern, and what is the rule?

To find the common difference (rate or slope) we can divide the 2nd term to the 1st term.

54.2 / 5.42 = 10 (rule)

Since the common difference is the same throughout the sequence, we can name this as a "arithmetic sequence".

We can multiply 10 to 542 to find the 4th term: 542 * 10 = 5,420

Best regards,

Wolfyy :)

step-by-step explanation:

first, eliminate the parenthesis:

3

x

+

2

−

4

x

second, group like terms:

3

x

−

4

x

+

2

third, combine like terms:

(

3

−

4

)

x

+

2

→

−

1

x

+

2

→

−

x

+

2