The first four terms of a sequence are shown below 8,5,2,-1

an = 8-3 (n-1)

an = 11 - 3n

Step-by-step explanation:

This is an arithmetic sequence which is defined by

an = a1 + d (n-1)

where a1 is the first term of the sequence and d is the common difference

a1 = 8

d = a2-a1

d = 5-8 = - 3

an = 8 + - 3 (n-1)

an = 8-3 (n-1)

We can simplify this by distributing the - 3

an = 8 - 3n + 3

an = 11 - 3n