Answer:
If you were taught that the first element in the sequence is at n = 0:
-7 - 5n
If you were taught that the first element is at n = 1:
-2 -5n
Explanation:
First, find a pattern in the elements of the sequence. At first glace, I notice that each consecutive number is the previous number minus 5.
Thus it can be seen that for each consecutive number in the sequence, 5 is subtracted from negative 2 n times! Therefore, the expression must be:
-2 - 5n
Let's double check the expression! When n = 3, it should equal -17.
-2 - 5(3) = -17
And when n = 5, it should be -27:
-2 - 5(5) = -27.
This is the case if the first element in your sequence is n = 1, if you've been taught that the first element is n = 0, the expression would be:
-7 - 5n