Here, $a = -5$, $d = -\dfrac{5}{2} - (-5) = \dfrac{5}{2}$, $n = 10$.
$a_{10} = a + 9d = -5 + 9 \times \dfrac{5}{2} = -5 + \dfrac{45}{2} = \dfrac{35}{2}$
Answer: (A) $\dfrac{35}{2}$
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Use the nth term formula $a_n = a + (n-1)d$ from the chapter summary. Identify $a = -5$ and $d = \frac{5}{2}$ (positive, since the sequence increases). Substituting $n = 10$ gives $\frac{35}{2}$. A common mistake is taking $d$ as negative — check the sign carefully from consecutive terms.