Final answer:
To find a2 and a3 in the sequence with a1 = -5 and an = 8an−1, use the recursive formula to get a2 = -40 and a3 = -320.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is given a recursive sequence where a1 is -5 and an is defined by the recursive formula an = 8an−1, meaning each term is 8 times the previous term. To find a2, we substitute n = 2 into the recursive formula:
a2 = 8a1
a2 = 8(-5)
a2 = -40
Similarly, to find a3, we substitute n = 3 into the recursive formula:
a3 = 8a2
a3 = 8(-40)
a3 = -320
Therefore, a2 is -40 and a3 is -320.