In an arithmetic sequence, if the first term is 5 and the common difference is 3, what are the first four terms of the sequence?

The first term of the sequence is 5. To find the next terms, you simply add the common difference of 3 to the previous term. So, the second term will be \(5 + 3 = 8\), the third will be \(8 + 3 = 11\), and the fourth term will be \(11 + 3 = 14\). Therefore, the first four terms of the arithmetic sequence are 5, 8, 11, and 14. If you ever find yourself needing to calculate terms quickly, just remember the formula \(a_n = a_1 + (n-1) \times d\), where \(a_n\) is the nth term, \(a_1\) is the first term, \(d\) is the common difference, and \(n\) is the term number. This can save you a lot of time when working with longer sequences! A common mistake when working with arithmetic sequences is forgetting that the common difference is added to the last term, not the first. Always double-check each calculation to ensure that you’re progressing correctly through the sequence!