The sum of arithmetic series is given by:
Sn=n/2(a1+an)
where:
n=number of terms
a1=first term
an=nth term
but
n=18, an=275, Sn=4185
plugging the values in the formula we get:
4185=18/2(a1+275)
simplifying this we get:
4185=9(a1+275)
dividing through by 9 we get:
465=a1+275
thus
a1=465-275
a1=190
Answer: first number is 190
