Write the sum LaTeX:  \displaystyle 10+3-4 \ldots -221-228 in sigma notation and then find the sum.

The common difference is given by LaTeX:  \displaystyle a_2-a_1=3-(10)=-7 . Using the first term gives the sequene LaTeX:  \displaystyle a_n= 10+(n-1)(-7) . Setting the general term equal to the last term and solving for LaTeX:  \displaystyle n gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle 10+(n-1)(-7)=-228 \implies n = 35  . Writing in sigma notation gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^{35} \left(17 - 7 n\right) . Using the formula for a finite arithmetic sum gives LaTeX:  \displaystyle \frac{ 35(10-228) }{2}=-3815 .