School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Item
Selected Response Item for Grade 8

Standard 1.0 Knowledge of Algebra, Patterns, and Functions

Topic A. Patterns and Functions

Indicator 1. Identify, describe, extend, and create patterns, functions and sequences

Objective b. Determine the recursive relationship of geometric sequences represented in words, in a table, or in a graph

Assessment limit: Provide the nth term no more than 5 terms beyond the last given term using the recursive relationship of geometric sequences with whole numbers and a common ratio of no more than 5:1 (0 – 10,000)

Look at the sequence below.
2, 6, 18, ___, ___, ___, ___, 4374, . . .

What is the sixth number in the sequence?

  1. 54
  2. 162
  3. 486
  4. 1458

Correct Answer
C. 486
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