document.write( "Question 965510: what is the first number of a arithmetic sequence if the next two numbers are 3 and 17 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #590824 by Edwin McCravy(20056) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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what is the first number of a arithmetic sequence if the next two numbers are 3 and 17
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document.write( "Let the first term be x:\r\n" );
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document.write( "The sequence goes\r\n" );
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document.write( "x, 3, 17\r\n" );
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document.write( "2nd term - 1st term = 3rd term - 2nd term\r\n" );
document.write( "    3    -     x    =    17    -    3\r\n" );
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document.write( "Get the equation all together:\r\n" );
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document.write( "                3-x = 17-3\r\n" );
document.write( "                3-x = 14\r\n" );
document.write( "                 -x = 11\r\n" );
document.write( "                  x = -11\r\n" );
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document.write( "The sequence is -11, 3, 17  \r\n" );
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document.write( "Answer: -11\r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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