If you start from 5 and apply the rule 'double then subtract 1' once, what is the next term?

If you start from 5 and apply the rule 'double then subtract 1' once, what is the next term?

• A. 7
• B. 8
• C. 9
• D. 11

Answer: (C)

Following a rule to find the next term means performing the exact actions in the order given. The rule here says: double the current term, then subtract 1. Starting with 5, double it to get 10, then subtract 1 to get 9. So the next term is 9. If you did the steps in the opposite order, subtracting first (5 − 1 = 4) and then doubling would give 8, which shows why the specified order matters.

Following a rule to find the next term means performing the exact actions in the order given. The rule here says: double the current term, then subtract 1. Starting with 5, double it to get 10, then subtract 1 to get 9. So the next term is 9. If you did the steps in the opposite order, subtracting first (5 − 1 = 4) and then doubling would give 8, which shows why the specified order matters.