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A sequence is defined recursively by the formula f(n + 1) = f(n) + 3 . The first term of the sequence is –4. What is the next term in the se

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A sequence is defined recursively by the formula f(n + 1) = f(n) + 3 . The first term of the sequence is –4. What is the next term in the sequence?

EyasiaJ  Jun 17, 2015

#2
+26642
+10

Or just:

f(1) = -4

f(2) = f(1) + 3   so f(2) = -4 + 3  or f(2) = -1

Alan  Jun 17, 2015
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#1
+10

using notation is just a fancy way of describing a sequence.

is the number you're currently at, so with that logic n+1 is the term after it in the sequence.

f(n) is the function using n as the input.

so you know that the first term of the sequence is -4, or f(n)= -4.

In order to find f(n+1) plug in what you know for f(n).   $${f}{\left({\mathtt{n}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{1}}\right)} = {f}{\left({\mathtt{n}}\right)}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{3}}$$ we know that f(n) = -4, so it is substituted in to the equation given. $${f}{\left({\mathtt{n}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{1}}\right)} = {\mathtt{\,-\,}}{\mathtt{4}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{3}}$$ now simplify! $${f}{\left({\mathtt{n}}{\mathtt{\,\small\textbf+\,}}{\mathtt{1}}\right)} = -{\mathtt{1}}$$   hope this helps!
Guest Jun 17, 2015
#2
+26642
+10

Or just:

f(1) = -4

f(2) = f(1) + 3   so f(2) = -4 + 3  or f(2) = -1

Alan  Jun 17, 2015

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