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For the following exercises, write the first four terms of the sequence.

a n = n ! n 2

First four terms: 1 , 1 2 , 2 3 , 3 2

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a n = 3 n ! 4 n !

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a n = n ! n 2 n 1

First four terms: 1 , 2 , 6 5 , 24 11

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a n = 100 n n ( n 1 ) !

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Graphical

For the following exercises, graph the first five terms of the indicated sequence

a n = { 4 + n 2 n if  n  is even 3 + n if  n  is odd

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a 1 = 2 ,   a n = ( a n 1 + 1 ) 2

Graph of a scattered plot with points at (1, 2), (2, 1), (3, 0), (4, 1), and (5, 0). The x-axis is labeled n and the y-axis is labeled a_n.
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a n = 1 ,   a n = a n 1 + 8

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a n = ( n + 1 ) ! ( n 1 ) !

Graph of a scattered plot with labeled points: (1, 2), (2, 6), (3, 12), (4, 20), and (5, 30). The x-axis is labeled n and the y-axis is labeled a_n.
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For the following exercises, write an explicit formula for the sequence using the first five points shown on the graph.

For the following exercises, write a recursive formula for the sequence using the first five points shown on the graph.

Graph of a scattered plot with labeled points: (1, 6), (2, 7), (3, 9), (4, 13), and (5, 21). The x-axis is labeled n and the y-axis is labeled a_n.

a 1 = 6 ,   a n = 2 a n 1 5

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Technology

Follow these steps to evaluate a sequence defined recursively using a graphing calculator:

  • On the home screen, key in the value for the initial term a 1 and press [ENTER] .
  • Enter the recursive formula by keying in all numerical values given in the formula, along with the key strokes [2ND] ANS for the previous term a n 1 . Press [ENTER] .
  • Continue pressing [ENTER] to calculate the values for each successive term.

For the following exercises, use the steps above to find the indicated term or terms for the sequence.

Find the first five terms of the sequence a 1 = 87 111 ,   a n = 4 3 a n 1 + 12 37 . Use the> Frac feature to give fractional results.

First five terms: 29 37 , 152 111 , 716 333 , 3188 999 , 13724 2997

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Find the 15 th term of the sequence a 1 = 625 ,   a n = 0.8 a n 1 + 18.

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Find the first five terms of the sequence a 1 = 2 ,   a n = 2 [ ( a n 1 ) 1 ] + 1.

First five terms: 2 , 3 , 5 , 17 , 65537

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Find the first ten terms of the sequence a 1 = 8 ,   a n = ( a n 1 + 1 ) ! a n 1 ! .

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Find the tenth term of the sequence a 1 = 2 ,   a n = n a n 1

a 10 = 7 , 257 , 600

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Follow these steps to evaluate a finite sequence defined by an explicit formula. Using a TI-84, do the following.

  • In the home screen, press [2ND] LIST .
  • Scroll over to OPS and choose “seq(” from the dropdown list. Press [ENTER] .
  • In the line headed “Expr:” type in the explicit formula, using the [ X,T , θ , n ] button for n
  • In the line headed “Variable:” type in the variable used on the previous step.
  • In the line headed “start:” key in the value of n that begins the sequence.
  • In the line headed “end:” key in the value of n that ends the sequence.
  • Press [ENTER] 3 times to return to the home screen. You will see the sequence syntax on the screen. Press [ENTER] to see the list of terms for the finite sequence defined. Use the right arrow key to scroll through the list of terms.

Using a TI-83, do the following.

  • In the home screen, press [2ND] LIST .
  • Scroll over to OPS and choose “seq(” from the dropdown list. Press [ENTER] .
  • Enter the items in the order “Expr” , “Variable” , “start” , “end” separated by commas. See the instructions above for the description of each item.
  • Press [ENTER] to see the list of terms for the finite sequence defined. Use the right arrow key to scroll through the list of terms.

For the following exercises, use the steps above to find the indicated terms for the sequence. Round to the nearest thousandth when necessary.

List the first five terms of the sequence a n = 28 9 n + 5 3 .

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List the first six terms of the sequence a n = n 3 3.5 n 2 +   4.1 n 1.5 2.4 n .

First six terms: 0.042 , 0.146 , 0.875 , 2.385 , 4.708

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List the first five terms of the sequence a n = 15 n ( 2 ) n 1 47

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List the first four terms of the sequence a n = 5.7 n + 0.275 ( n 1 ) !

First four terms: 5.975 , 32.765 , 185.743 , 1057.25 , 6023.521

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List the first six terms of the sequence a n = n ! n .

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Extensions

Consider the sequence defined by a n = 6 8 n . Is a n = 421 a term in the sequence? Verify the result.

If a n = 421 is a term in the sequence, then solving the equation 421 = 6 8 n for n will yield a non-negative integer. However, if 421 = 6 8 n , then n = 51.875 so a n = 421 is not a term in the sequence.

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What term in the sequence a n = n 2 + 4 n + 4 2 ( n + 2 ) has the value 41 ? Verify the result.

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Find a recursive formula for the sequence 1 ,   0 ,   1 ,   1 ,   0 ,   1 ,   1 ,   0 ,   1 ,   1 ,   0 ,   1 ,   1 ,   ...   . ( Hint : find a pattern for a n based on the first two terms.)

a 1 = 1 , a 2 = 0 , a n = a n 1 a n 2

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Calculate the first eight terms of the sequences a n = ( n + 2 ) ! ( n 1 ) ! and b n = n 3 + 3 n 2 + 2 n , and then make a conjecture about the relationship between these two sequences.

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Prove the conjecture made in the preceding exercise.

( n + 2 ) ! ( n 1 ) ! = ( n + 2 ) · ( n + 1 ) · ( n ) · ( n 1 ) · ... · 3 · 2 · 1 ( n 1 ) · ... · 3 · 2 · 1 = n ( n + 1 ) ( n + 2 ) = n 3 + 3 n 2 + 2 n

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Questions & Answers

for the "hiking" mix, there are 1,000 pieces in the mix, containing 390.8 g of fat, and 165 g of protein. if there is the same amount of almonds as cashews, how many of each item is in the trail mix?
ADNAN Reply
linear speed of an object
Melissa Reply
an object is traveling around a circle with a radius of 13 meters .if in 20 seconds a central angle of 1/7 Radian is swept out what are the linear and angular speed of the object
Melissa
test
Matrix
how to find domain
Mohamed Reply
like this: (2)/(2-x) the aim is to see what will not be compatible with this rational expression. If x= 0 then the fraction is undefined since we cannot divide by zero. Therefore, the domain consist of all real numbers except 2.
Dan
define the term of domain
Moha
if a>0 then the graph is concave
Angel Reply
if a<0 then the graph is concave blank
Angel
what's a domain
Kamogelo Reply
The set of all values you can use as input into a function su h that the output each time will be defined, meaningful and real.
Spiro
how fast can i understand functions without much difficulty
Joe Reply
what is inequalities
Nathaniel
functions can be understood without a lot of difficulty. Observe the following: f(2) 2x - x 2(2)-2= 2 now observe this: (2,f(2)) ( 2, -2) 2(-x)+2 = -2 -4+2=-2
Dan
what is set?
Kelvin Reply
a colony of bacteria is growing exponentially doubling in size every 100 minutes. how much minutes will it take for the colony of bacteria to triple in size
Divya Reply
I got 300 minutes. is it right?
Patience
no. should be about 150 minutes.
Jason
It should be 158.5 minutes.
Mr
ok, thanks
Patience
100•3=300 300=50•2^x 6=2^x x=log_2(6) =2.5849625 so, 300=50•2^2.5849625 and, so, the # of bacteria will double every (100•2.5849625) = 258.49625 minutes
Thomas
158.5 This number can be developed by using algebra and logarithms. Begin by moving log(2) to the right hand side of the equation like this: t/100 log(2)= log(3) step 1: divide each side by log(2) t/100=1.58496250072 step 2: multiply each side by 100 to isolate t. t=158.49
Dan
what is the importance knowing the graph of circular functions?
Arabella Reply
can get some help basic precalculus
ismail Reply
What do you need help with?
Andrew
how to convert general to standard form with not perfect trinomial
Camalia Reply
can get some help inverse function
ismail
Rectangle coordinate
Asma Reply
how to find for x
Jhon Reply
it depends on the equation
Robert
yeah, it does. why do we attempt to gain all of them one side or the other?
Melissa
how to find x: 12x = 144 notice how 12 is being multiplied by x. Therefore division is needed to isolate x and whatever we do to one side of the equation we must do to the other. That develops this: x= 144/12 divide 144 by 12 to get x. addition: 12+x= 14 subtract 12 by each side. x =2
Dan
whats a domain
mike Reply
The domain of a function is the set of all input on which the function is defined. For example all real numbers are the Domain of any Polynomial function.
Spiro
Spiro; thanks for putting it out there like that, 😁
Melissa
foci (–7,–17) and (–7,17), the absolute value of the differenceof the distances of any point from the foci is 24.
Churlene Reply
Practice Key Terms 8

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Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
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