Math

Question Write a recursive formula for the arithmetic sequence 38,26,14,2,-38, -26, -14, -2, \ldots. Find a1a_1 and ana_n for n2n \geq 2.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. The given sequence is arithmetic, which means the difference between consecutive terms is constant.
2. The first term of the sequence is 38-38.
3. We need to find a recursive formula, which defines each term based on its preceding term(s).

STEP 2

Identify the first term of the sequence, which is given as 38-38.
a1=38a_1 = -38

STEP 3

To find the common difference, subtract the first term from the second term.
d=a2a1d = a_2 - a_1

STEP 4

Plug in the given values for a2a_2 and a1a_1 to calculate the common difference.
d=26(38)d = -26 - (-38)

STEP 5

Simplify the expression to find the common difference.
d=26+38d = -26 + 38 d=12d = 12

STEP 6

Now that we have the common difference, we can write the recursive formula. The recursive formula for an arithmetic sequence is given by:
an=an1+d for n2a_n = a_{n-1} + d \text{ for } n \geq 2

STEP 7

Plug in the value of the common difference dd into the recursive formula.
an=an1+12 for n2a_n = a_{n-1} + 12 \text{ for } n \geq 2

STEP 8

Combine the expressions for a1a_1 and the recursive formula for ana_n to complete the answer.
a1=38an=an1+12 for n2 \begin{array}{l} a_{1}=-38 \\ a_{n}=a_{n-1} + 12 \text{ for } n \geq 2 \end{array}
This is the recursive formula for the given arithmetic sequence.

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