So in the series, a_6 = 9 and a_8 = 15. Since it's an arithmetic sequence, all the terms in the series can be represented as: a_n = a_0 + n * k where n is the nth number. K is a constant you add to reach the next term, and a_0 is the starting constant. a_6 = a_0 + 6 * k a_8 = a_0 + 8 * k solving this system gives you that k = 3 and a_0 = -9 for any term n for this arithmetic sequence, a_n = -9 + 3 * k