Answer:
The arithmetic means are
6.8, 16.6, 26.4 and 36.2
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the four terms be w, x, y and z.
In an arithmetic sequence, each consecutive term differs by a common difference, d.
First term = - 3
Second term, w = a + d = - 3 + d
Third term, x = a + 2d = - 3 + 2d
Fourth term, y = a + 3d = - 3 + 3d
Fourth term = a + 4d = - 3 + 4d
Last term = a + 5d = - 3 + 5d
Since the last term is 46, it means that
- 3 + 5d = 46
5d = 46 + 3 = 49
d = 49/5 = 9.8
Therefore,
w = - 3 + 9.8 = 6.8
x = - 3 + 2 × 9.8 = - 3 + 19.6 = 16.6
y = - 3 + 3 × 9.8 = - 3 + 29.4 = 26.4
z = - 3 + 4 × 9.8 = - 3 + 39.2 = 36.2
