Question

Consider a sequence given by the formula f(n)=3n-1 starting with n=1. Generate the first 5 terms of the sequence

Answer 1

The first 5 terms are 2, 5, 8, 11, 14.

Explanation:

1. You use the formula to find out each term.
2. f(n)=3n-1 starting with n=1. If n=1 that is the 1st term, if n=2 that is the 2nd term, and so on. n means what number term it is.
3. Now to find each term:

• n=1: f(1)= 3(1)-1= 3-1= 2 The 1st term is 2
• n=2: f(2)= 3(2)-1= 6-1= 5 The 2nd term is 5
• n=3: f(3)= 3(3)-1= 9-1=8 The 3rd term is 8
• n=4: f(4)= 4(3)-1= 12-1= 11 The 4th term is 11
• n=5: f(5)= 5(3)-1= 15-1= 14 The 5th term is 14

So the first 5 terms are 2,5,8,11,14