Final answer:
In an arithmetic sequence defined by the formula t_n = -3n + 20, the first five terms are calculated by substituting values of 'n' from 1 to 5. These terms are 17, 14, 11, 8, and 5, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to find the first five terms for the arithmetic sequence given by the formula tn = -3n + 20, where tn represents the nth term of the sequence.
To find the first term, we substitute n = 1 into the formula:
t1 = -3(1) + 20 = 17.
For the second term, substitute n = 2:
t2 = -3(2) + 20 = 14.
Continue this process for the next three terms:
- t3 = -3(3) + 20 = 11
- t4 = -3(4) + 20 = 8
- t5 = -3(5) + 20 = 5
Therefore, the first five terms of the arithmetic sequence are 17, 14, 11, 8, and 5.