Math Problem Statement

4,8,16,32 write a reclusive formula for the sequence below

Solution

The sequence 4,8,16,32,4, 8, 16, 32, \dots appears to follow a geometric progression where each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by 2.

Recursive Formula

To express this sequence recursively:

  1. Base case: Define the first term: a1=4a_1 = 4
  2. Recursive step: Define how each subsequent term relates to the previous one: an=2an1,for n2a_n = 2 \cdot a_{n-1}, \quad \text{for } n \geq 2

Final Recursive Formula:

a1=4,an=2an1,n2a_1 = 4, \quad a_n = 2 \cdot a_{n-1}, \quad n \geq 2

This defines the sequence where each term doubles the preceding one.


Would you like details about how this relates to general sequences or help with similar sequences? Here are five related questions to explore further:

  1. What is the explicit formula for this sequence?
  2. How does the growth of a geometric sequence compare to an arithmetic sequence?
  3. Can you derive the sum of the first nn terms of this geometric sequence?
  4. What are the applications of geometric sequences in real-world problems?
  5. How would you modify the recursive formula if the sequence started at 6 instead of 4?

Tip: Recursive formulas are best for understanding sequential relationships, but explicit formulas are easier for finding large terms directly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometric Sequences
Recursion
Mathematical Induction

Formulas

a_n = 2 * a_{n-1}, n ≥ 2
a_1 = 4

Theorems

Recursive formulas for geometric progressions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9