document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1204531>Question 1204531</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Each number in a list of numbers is 3 more than the number before it. The fifth number in the list is 8. What is the first number? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #840837 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=840837\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Don't overlook the fact that solving a problem like this informally using logical reasoning and simple arithmetic is good mental exercise and good problem-solving practice.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "You are given that the fifth number is 8, and that each number in the list is 3 more than the number before it.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "You are asked to find the first number in the list, which is four numbers before the fifth one.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Going BACKWARDS in the list, each number is 3 LESS than the number AFTER it.  So to find the first number given that the fifth number is 8, subtract 3 from 8 four times to find the answer.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "8-4(3) = 8-12 = -4<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWER: -4<br><BR>\n" );
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