5 A sequence of numbers is shown. The box represents a missing number in the sequence. 7.25, \( \square \) , 7.035 Which number can be written in the box to make the sequence of numbers in order from greatest to least?

We notice that for the numbers to be in order from greatest to least, the middle number must be between 7.25 and 7.035. One natural way to fill in the missing number is to make the sequence an arithmetic sequence (where each successive term decreases by the same amount). Step 1. Find the total decrease from the first to the last term:   7.25 – 7.035 = 0.215 Step 2. Since there are 2 equal steps in an arithmetic sequence (from the first number to the middle number, and from the middle number to the last number), the decrease each step is:   0.215 ÷ 2 = 0.1075 Step 3. Subtract the decrement from the first term to find the middle term:   7.25 – 0.1075 = 7.1425 Thus, if the sequence is arithmetic, the number that fits in the box is 7.1425. Answer: 7.1425