Answer:
The fourth term in the sequence is -17
Explanation:
To find the 4th term of the sequence, we will simply follow the steps below;
a(1) = -2
a(n) = a(n-1)-5
We will find the value of the sequence when n = 1, n= 2 n =3 n=4
The first one has been done for us, so we have the first term to be a(1) = -2
The next thing to do, is to find the second term, ie. when n=2
a(n) =a(n-1)-5
a(2) =a(2-1)-5
=a(1) - 5
but a(1) = -2
a(2) =a(1) - 5
=-2-5
=-7
a(2) = -7
next is to find the third term, ie. when n=3
a(n) =a(n-1)-5
a(3) =a(3-1)-5
=a(2) - 5
but a(2) = -7
a(3) =a(2) - 5
=-7-5
=-12
a(3) = -12
next is to find the fourth term, ie. when n=4
a(n) =a(n-1)-5
a(4) =a(4-1)-5
=a(3) - 5
but a(3) = -12
a(4) =a(3) - 5
=-12-5
=-17
a(4) = -17
Therefore, the fourth term in the sequence is -17