HELP! :(
The 50th term of an arithmetic sequence is 86, and the common difference is 2.
Find the first three terms of the sequence

Question

HELP! :(
The 50th term of an arithmetic sequence is 86, and the common difference is 2.
Find the first three terms of the sequence

anonymous · Answer

$$t _{n}=a+(n-1)d,86=a+(50-1)*2,a=?$$
this is  first term
next two terms are a+2,a+2+2

anonymous · Answer

Thank you! :)

refrac532 · Answer

This is an arithmetic sequence involving only whole numbers...how did you get a decimal?

refrac532 · Answer

You might be thinking about a geometric sequence.

refrac532 · Answer

Think about it this way:
If 86 is the 50th term, and 2 is the common difference,
then what would the 49th term be?

refrac532 · Answer

Remember: arithmetic sequence. It only adding or subtracting to get to the next term.

refrac532 · Answer

it only requires*

refrac532 · Answer

Close! But you're just a little bit off.

refrac532 · Answer

Try this:
$$a _{n} - n(d)$$
where $$a _{n}$$ 
is the nth term, n is the term (50), and d is the common difference.

anonymous · Answer

-14!?

refrac532 · Answer

Correct!

refrac532 · Answer

Oh my god I am so sorry it is -12

refrac532 · Answer

I miscalculated xD

refrac532 · Answer

SORRY