Answer :

To identify the 42nd term of an arithmetic sequence where the first term [tex]\( a_1 = -12 \)[/tex] and the 27th term [tex]\( a_{27} = 66 \)[/tex], follow these steps:

1. Set up the formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence:
[tex]\[ a_n = a_1 + (n - 1) \cdot d \][/tex]
where [tex]\( a_n \)[/tex] is the nth term, [tex]\( a_1 \)[/tex] is the first term, [tex]\( d \)[/tex] is the common difference, and [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is the term number.

2. Write the relationship for the 27th term:
[tex]\[ a_{27} = a_1 + 26d \][/tex]
Plug in the given values:
[tex]\[ 66 = -12 + 26d \][/tex]

3. Solve for the common difference [tex]\( d \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 66 + 12 = 26d \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 78 = 26d \][/tex]
[tex]\[ d = \frac{78}{26} = 3 \][/tex]

4. Now, find the 42nd term using the nth term formula:
[tex]\[ a_{42} = a_1 + (42 - 1)d \][/tex]
[tex]\[ a_{42} = -12 + 41 \cdot 3 \][/tex]

5. Calculate the value:
[tex]\[ a_{42} = -12 + 123 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ a_{42} = 111 \][/tex]

Therefore, the 42nd term of the arithmetic sequence is 111.