In an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 7 and d = -2, what is a3?

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Multiple Choice

In an arithmetic sequence with a1 = 7 and d = -2, what is a3?

Explanation:
In an arithmetic sequence, each term differs from the previous one by the constant difference. The nth term is a1 plus (n−1) times the common difference. Here, a1 = 7 and d = −2, so a3 = a1 + (3−1)d = 7 + 2(−2) = 3. A quick check: a2 = 7 + (2−1)(−2) = 5, and a3 = a2 + d = 5 + (−2) = 3. So the third term equals 3.

In an arithmetic sequence, each term differs from the previous one by the constant difference. The nth term is a1 plus (n−1) times the common difference.

Here, a1 = 7 and d = −2, so a3 = a1 + (3−1)d = 7 + 2(−2) = 3. A quick check: a2 = 7 + (2−1)(−2) = 5, and a3 = a2 + d = 5 + (−2) = 3.

So the third term equals 3.

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