solving a^n=a^1+(n-1)d for n?

Question

how do i solve:

a^n=a^1+(n-1)d for n?

I am sooo confused on this stuff!!

Answer 1

The way you wrote it, you can't.

But, if you mean the equation for an arithmetic sequence, then you shouldn't say a^n, you should say a[n] or a_n, meaning a-sub-n. a^n means "a to the nth power".

a_n = a_1 + (n - 1)d

a_n - a_1 = (n - 1)d

(a_n - a_1)/d = n - 1

1 + (a_n - a_1)/d = n