Question

Indicate the general rule for the arithmetic sequence with a3 = -4 and a8 = -29.

Answer 1

Calculate first the common difference of the arithmetic sequence,
                       d  = (-29 - -4)/(8 - 3) = -5
The first term is calculated through the way below,
                            a1 = -4 + 5 + 5 = 6
Thus, the first term of the arithmetic sequence is 6 and the common difference is -5.