Find a formula for the \( n \) nh term in this arithmetic sequence: \( a_{1}=28, a_{2}=21, a_{3}=14, a_{4}=7, \ldots \) \[ a_{n}=[?] n+[] \] Hint: The coefficient of \( n \) is the common difference.
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The Deep Dive
The first thing to notice about this sequence is that it is decreasing by a constant value. To find the common difference, we can subtract any term from the term that follows it: \( 21 - 28 = -7 \), \( 14 - 21 = -7 \), and \( 7 - 14 = -7 \). So, the common difference is \(-7\). The formula for the \( n \)-th term in an arithmetic sequence can be expressed as: \[ a_n = a_1 + (n-1)d \] Substituting \( a_1 = 28 \) and \( d = -7 \): \[ a_n = 28 + (n-1)(-7) \] This simplifies to: \[ a_n = 28 - 7(n-1) = 28 - 7n + 7 = 35 - 7n \] Thus, the formula for the \( n \)-th term is: \[ a_n = -7n + 35 \]