Question

Write the first five terms of the sequence.

a n = -1() n - 1

Answer 1

The first five terms of the sequence defined by the formula a_n = -1^(n - 1) are -1, 1, -1, 1, -1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking for the first five terms of the sequence given by the formula an = -1n - 1. To find these terms, we evaluate the formula for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

1. For n = 1: a1 = -11 - 1 = -10 = -1
2. For n = 2: a2 = -12 - 1 = -11 = 1
3. For n = 3: a3 = -13 - 1 = -12 = -1
4. For n = 4: a4 = -14 - 1 = -13 = 1
5. For n = 5: a5 = -15 - 1 = -14 = -1

Therefore, the first five terms of the sequence are -1, 1, -1, 1, -1.