document.write( "Question 692570: An arithmetic series has a third term of 0. The sum of the first 15 terms is – 300. What is the first term? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #427052 by mouk(232)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1st term = a, common difference = d\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So terms are, a, a+d, a+2d, ...\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3rd term = 0 means that \"+a%2B2d=0+\" ............ Eq (1)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "so \"+s%5Bn%5D=+%28n%2F2%29%282a+%2B+%28n-1%29d%29+\"
\n" ); document.write( "and \"+s%5B15%5D+=+%2815%2F2%29%282a%2B14d%29+=+-300+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+%2815%2F2%29%282a%2B14d%29+=+-300+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+2a%2B14d%29+=+-40+\" ............ Eq (2)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Eq (2) - 7 Eq (1) gives:
\n" ); document.write( "\"+%282-7%29a+%2B%2814-14%29d=-40-0+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+-5a+=-40+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+a=8+\", which is the first term\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "NB, If you need d then Eq (2) - 2 Eq (1) gives:
\n" ); document.write( "\"+%282-2%29a+%2B%2814-4%29d=-40-0+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+10d=-40+\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"+d=-4+\"
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );