the first term of an ap is -8 the ratio of the 7th to the 9th term is 5:8 calculate the common difference of the progression

(-8+6d)/(-8+8d) = 5/8

now just solve for d

a7=a+6d...(1)a9=a+8d....(2)a7:a9=5:8a+6d/8+8d=5/8(a=8) 64+48d=40-48d 24=-8d d=-3

To find the common difference (d) of an arithmetic progression (AP), we can use the formula for the nth term of an AP:

aₙ = a₁ + (n - 1)d

Where:
aₙ is the nth term
a₁ is the first term
d is the common difference
n is the position of the term

In this case, we are given that:
a₁ = -8 (first term)
a₇ : a₉ = 5 : 8 (ratio of 7th to 9th term)

Let's find the values of a₇ and a₉ using the formula:

a₇ = a₁ + (7 - 1)d
a₇ = -8 + 6d

a₉ = a₁ + (9 - 1)d
a₉ = -8 + 8d

Now, we can use the ratio of a₇ to a₉ to create an equation:

a₇ / a₉ = 5 / 8

Substituting the values of a₇ and a₉:

(-8 + 6d) / (-8 + 8d) = 5 / 8

Cross-multiplying, we get:

8(-8 + 6d) = 5(-8 + 8d)

-64 + 48d = -40 + 40d

Now, let's solve for d:

48d - 40d = -40 + 64

8d = 24

d = 24 / 8

d = 3

Therefore, the common difference (d) of the arithmetic progression is 3.

To find the common difference of an arithmetic progression (AP), you can use the formula:

nth term = a + (n - 1) * d

Where:
- nth term represents the term you want to find
- a is the first term of the AP
- n is the position of the term in the sequence
- d is the common difference

Given that the first term (a) is -8, we can substitute this value into the formula:

-8 + (n - 1) * d

Since we know the ratio of the 7th term to the 9th term is 5:8, we can set up the following equation:

7th term / 9th term = 5/8

Substituting the formula for the nth term, we get:

(-8 + (7 - 1) * d) / (-8 + (9 - 1) * d) = 5/8

Simplifying the equation further:

(-8 + 6d) / (-8 + 8d) = 5/8

Cross-multiplying:

(8 * (-8 + 6d)) = (5 * (-8 + 8d))

Solving for d:

-64 + 48d = -40 + 40d

Rearranging terms:

48d - 40d = 64 - 40

8d = 24

Dividing both sides by 8:

d = 24/8

d = 3

Therefore, the common difference of the arithmetic progression is 3.