The fifth term of an arithmetic sequence is 9 and the 32nd term is -84. What is the 23rd term?
F = First term
D = Common difference
9 = F + 4D,
-84 =F +31D, solve for F, D
F =205 / 9
D = - 31 / 9
23rd term =205/9 + (-31/9) * (23-1)
=205/9 -(31/9) *22
=205/9 - 682/9
= - 477 / 9
= - 53
The formula for the nth term of an arithmetic sequence is: tn = t1+ (n - 1)d
tn = nth term t1 = first term d = common difference
fifth term = 9 ---> t5 = t1 + (5 - 1)d ---> 9 = t1+ 4d
32nd term = - 84 ---> t32 = t1 + (32 - 1)d ---> -84 = t1 + 31d
Subtracting the second equation from the first: 93 = - 27d ---> d = -93/27
Finding the value of t1 ---> 9 = t1+ 4d ---> 9 = t1 + 4(-93/27) ---> t1 = 205/9
t23 = 205/9 + (23 - 1)(-93/27) ---> t23 = 205/9 + (22)(-93/27) = ........