1. **State the problem:** We have a sequence where the first term is $5x$ and each subsequent term is found by adding $2x + 3$ to the previous term. 2. **Formula and rule:** The term-to-term rule is $\text{next term} = \text{previous term} + (2x + 3)$. 3. **Find the second term:** Starting with the first term $5x$, add $2x + 3$: $$\text{second term} = 5x + (2x + 3) = 5x + 2x + 3 = 7x + 3$$ 4. **Find the third term:** Add $2x + 3$ to the second term: $$\text{third term} = (7x + 3) + (2x + 3) = 7x + 3 + 2x + 3 = 9x + 6$$ 5. **Summary:** The first three terms of the sequence are: $$5x, \quad 7x + 3, \quad 9x + 6$$ This sequence increases by $2x + 3$ each time, so the terms grow linearly with $x$.