What is the first term in the arithmetic sequence 5, 8, 11, ...?

In an arithmetic sequence, the first term is a foundational element that defines the entire sequence. In this sequence, the terms provided are 5, 8, 11. The first term is simply the initial value from which the entire sequence begins.

By looking at the sequence, it is clear that 5 is the first number presented. Each subsequent term is derived by adding a constant difference (in this case, 3) to the previous term. Therefore, 5 is indeed the first term of this arithmetic sequence. Understanding the concept of sequences and their structure clarifies why 5 is the correct choice as the starting point.