Math Problem Statement
Determine a recursive formula for the sequence 3, 7, 11, 15, ...
Solution
The given sequence is:
We observe that each term increases by 4, which suggests the sequence is an arithmetic sequence where the common difference .
Step 1: Find the recursive formula
For an arithmetic sequence, the recursive formula can be written as:
where is the nth term, is the previous term, and is the common difference.
Since the common difference is , the recursive formula becomes:
Step 2: Define the first term
We also need to define the first term explicitly. From the given sequence, the first term .
Thus, the full recursive formula for the sequence is:
Final Recursive Formula:
Would you like further details or an explanation of any part of the solution? Here are some related questions to explore:
- How do you identify whether a sequence is arithmetic or geometric?
- Can you find the nth term formula for an arithmetic sequence?
- What are the general characteristics of recursive formulas for arithmetic sequences?
- How do you extend recursive formulas to other types of sequences, like geometric ones?
- What happens if the common difference is negative or zero in an arithmetic sequence?
Tip: When working with recursive sequences, always identify the common difference (in arithmetic sequences) or ratio (in geometric sequences) first!
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Arithmetic Sequences
Recursion
Difference Sequences
Formulas
Recursive formula: a_n = a_{n-1} + d
First term: a_1 = 3
Theorems
Recursive relation for arithmetic sequences
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 7-9
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