![\"\"](\"/userfiles/image/steps_images/step1.JPG\")
The list is 54, 50, 46, 42, 38,...
\Observe the pattern; the difference between consecutive numbers is -4.
\![\"\"](\"/test/fckeditor/editor/plugins/fckeditor_wiris/integration/showimage.php?formula=1b6730e8f51c14b4cf00028f50c079ac.png\")
![\"\"](\"http://www.mathskey.com/userfiles/image/steps_images/step2.JPG\")
Let n be the next term.
\Write an equation for the situation.
\Previous term - 4 = Next term.
\![\"\"](\"/test/fckeditor/editor/plugins/fckeditor_wiris/integration/showimage.php?formula=6806d22e5455571e70d4a59165249027.png\")
(Substitute previous term = 38 and next term = n)
![\"\"](\"/test/fckeditor/editor/plugins/fckeditor_wiris/integration/showimage.php?formula=b9e42bb6c531bec1ac521b4d9adeaf1f.png\")
(Subtract: ![\"\"](\"/test/fckeditor/editor/plugins/fckeditor_wiris/integration/showimage.php?formula=ac8fcc23c3e991e726c0fd2c3f963fb0.png\")
)
The extended pattern is
\![\"\"](\"/test/fckeditor/editor/plugins/fckeditor_wiris/integration/showimage.php?formula=5349ad8ee7f3d623603ce068915df44a.png\")
The next term in the given list is 34.
\![\"\"](\"/userfiles/image/steps_images/solution.JPG\")
The next term in the given list is 34.