Find the first term of the arithmetic sequence with a common difference of 5 and whose 59th term is 281.
A) 4
B) 13
C) - 9
D) - 7

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is $a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d$, where $a_n$ is the nth term, $a_1$ is the first term, $n$ is the term number, and $d$ is the common difference. Given $a_{59} = 281$, $d = 5$, and $n = 59$, we can solve for $a_1$: $281 = a_1 + (59 - 1) \cdot 5$, which simplifies to $281 = a_1 + 290 - 5$, and further to $a_1 = 281 - 290 + 5$, resulting in $a_1 = -9$.

Find the First Term of the Arithmetic Sequence with a Common