Math Problem Statement

0, 5, 0, -5, … Description:

The next number is _____

Solution

The sequence given is: 0,5,0,5,0, 5, 0, -5, \ldots.

This appears to be an alternating sequence where the numbers oscillate between 0, positive 5, 0, and negative 5. Based on this pattern:

  1. The 1st term is 0.
  2. The 2nd term is 5.
  3. The 3rd term is 0.
  4. The 4th term is -5.

Following this alternating pattern, the next term (the 5th term) will be 0\boxed{0}.

Would you like to explore the sequence further or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How would the pattern continue if the sequence alternated between different numbers?
  2. Can you express this sequence with a formula?
  3. What is the significance of alternating sequences in mathematics?
  4. How would the sequence change if each number increased by 1 after each cycle?
  5. What happens if the signs of the numbers alternate while the magnitudes increase or decrease?
  6. How can alternating sequences be represented graphically?
  7. What are some real-world applications of alternating sequences?
  8. How would the sequence change if you added a constant to each term?

Tip: When working with sequences, identifying the pattern is key to predicting future terms.