01 If aₙ = 30 − 4n, what is the first term of this arithmetic progression?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. 26
Explanation: The governing concept is evaluating an explicit sequence rule at the correct index. In the usual indexing of a sequence, the first term is obtained by setting n = 1, not n = 0. Therefore a₁ = 30 − 4(1) = 30 − 4 = 26, so option B is correct. The rule also has common difference −4, since aₙ₊₁ − aₙ = [30 − 4(n + 1)] − [30 − 4n] = −4, confirming that it describes an arithmetic progression. Option A is the constant term in the formula, not the first sequence value. Option C would result from incorrectly using n = 1.5, while option D does not follow from the stated rule.