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1 vote
The formula to find a certain number in an arithmetic sequence is an=a1+d(n−1)an=a1+d(n−1) .

Solve for n

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer:
n=(a_n-a_1)/(d)+1

Explanation:

Given : The formula to find a certain number in an arithmetic sequence is


a_n=a_1+d(n-1), where
a_n is the nth term ,
a_1 is the first term and d is the common difference.

To solve the formula for n , first subtract
a_1 from both sides , we get


a_n-a_1=d(n-1)

Now, divide d on both sides , we get


(a_n-a_1)/(d)=n-1

Now, add 1 to the both sides , we get


(a_n-a_1)/(d)+1=n

Or


n=(a_n-a_1)/(d)+1

User Marvin Correia
by
7.1k points
4 votes
The formula of arithmetic sequence is
an = a₁ + d(n - 1)

Then we need to find the formula to determine n. I reverse the equation so the 'n' will be on the left side.
a₁ + d(n - 1) = an

Then I move all the terms on the left one by one to the right side except n
a₁ + d(n - 1) = an
d(n - 1) = an - a₁
n - 1 = (an - a₁)/d
n = 1 + (an - a₁)/d

This is the formula to solve n
n = 1 + (an - a₁)/d
User Aashu
by
6.9k points
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