Break into two sub-sequences taking every other term: 5,10, 3,6,-1,-2,-9 <--original sequence 5, 3, -1, -9 <--first sub-sequence 10, 6, -2, <--second sub-sequence First sequence: 5,3,-1,-9,... 5 <--start with 5 5 - 2 = 3 3 - 4 = -1 -1 - 8 = -9 so we continue the pattern of doubling what we subtract -9 - 16 = -25 -25 - 32 = -57 Second sequence: 10,6,-2,... 10 <-- start with 10 10 - 4 = 6 6 - 8 = -2 so we continue the pattern of doubling what we subtract -2 - 16 = -18 -18 - 32 = -50 -50 - 64 = -114 5, 3, -1, -9, -25, -57 <--first sub-sequence 10, 6, -2, -18, -50 -114 <--second sub-sequence 5,10, 3,6,-1,-2,-9,-18,-25,-50,-57,-114 <---original sequence That's 5 more terms. You only wanted 3. Edwin