Indicate the general rule for the arithmetic sequence with a3 = - 4 and a8 = - 29.

Calculate first the common difference of the arithmetic sequence,

d = (-29 - - 4) / (8 - 3) = - 5

The first term is calculated through the way below,

a1 = - 4 + 5 + 5 = 6

Thus, the first term of the arithmetic sequence is 6 and the common difference is - 5.