a₃ = 10
a₇ = 42
a₁ = ?
r = ?
an = a₁+(n-1)*r
a₃ = a₁ + (3-1)*r = 10
a₇ = a₁ + (7-1)*r = 42
a₁ + 2r = 10
a₁ + 6r = 42
a₁ = 10 - 2r
10-2r + 6r = 42
a₁ = 10 - 2r
4r = 42-10
a₁ = 10 - 2r
4r = 32
a₁ = 10 - 2r
r = 8
a₁ = 10 - 2*8
r =8
a₁ = 10 -16 = 4
r = 8
a₁ = 4
r = 8