Complete the Decimal Sequence: Finding Missing Terms in 0.1 to 0 Pattern

Arithmetic Sequences with Decreasing Decimal Terms

Complete the following sequence:

0.1,?,0.06,0.04,?,0 0.1,?,0.06,0.04,?,0

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Complete the following sequence:

0.1,?,0.06,0.04,?,0 0.1,?,0.06,0.04,?,0

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this mathematical sequence problem, we need to identify the common difference and use it to find the missing numbers. Let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given numbers and their positions in the sequence.
  • Step 2: Calculate the common difference between successive terms.
  • Step 3: Use the common difference to determine the missing numbers.
  • Step 4: Validate the completed sequence with the original pattern.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The given numbers in the sequence are 0.1,?,0.06,0.04,?,0 0.1, ?, 0.06, 0.04, ?, 0 .

Step 2: Calculate the common difference. The difference between 0.06 0.06 and 0.04 0.04 is 0.060.04=0.02 0.06 - 0.04 = 0.02 . The difference between 0.04 0.04 and the next number (0)(0) is also 0.040=0.04 0.04 - 0 = 0.04 . This suggests a pattern of reducing by 0.02 0.02 each time.

Step 3: Deduct 0.02 0.02 from each preceding term to find the subsequent numbers:

  • Before 0.06 0.06 , the number must be 0.06+0.02=0.08 0.06 + 0.02 = 0.08 .
  • Before 0 0 , the number must be 0+0.02=0.02 0 + 0.02 = 0.02 .

Step 4: By substituting the above values into the sequence, we have the completed sequence: 0.1,0.08,0.06,0.04,0.02,0 0.1, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02, 0 .

Therefore, the missing numbers in the sequence are 0.08 0.08 and 0.02 0.02 .

3

Final Answer

0.08,0.02 0.08,0.02

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Pattern Recognition: Find common difference between consecutive known terms
  • Technique: Work backwards: 0.06+0.02=0.08 0.06 + 0.02 = 0.08 for missing term
  • Verification: Check entire sequence decreases by same amount: 0.10.080.060.040.020 0.1 → 0.08 → 0.06 → 0.04 → 0.02 → 0

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming the pattern without calculating the common difference
    Don't guess the pattern just by looking = wrong missing terms! Students often assume it decreases by 0.01 or some other amount without checking. Always calculate the actual difference between known consecutive terms first.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Which figure represents 0.1?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find the pattern when I don't have all the numbers?

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Look for consecutive terms that you do know! In this sequence, you have 0.06,0.04 0.06, 0.04 next to each other, so calculate 0.060.04=0.02 0.06 - 0.04 = 0.02 .

What if the sequence is increasing instead of decreasing?

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The method is the same! Just add the common difference instead of subtracting. Always check if the numbers are getting bigger or smaller.

Can I work forwards instead of backwards to find missing terms?

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Yes! You can work in either direction. From 0.1 0.1 , subtract 0.02 0.02 to get 0.08 0.08 , then continue the pattern.

How do I check if my sequence is correct?

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Make sure the same difference appears between every pair of consecutive terms. In this case, each term should be exactly 0.02 0.02 less than the previous one!

What if I get confused with decimal arithmetic?

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Try converting to fractions temporarily: 0.06=6100 0.06 = \frac{6}{100} and 0.04=4100 0.04 = \frac{4}{100} . Then 61004100=2100=0.02 \frac{6}{100} - \frac{4}{100} = \frac{2}{100} = 0.02 .

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