Question

1. An arithmetic sequence is given using the recursive definition: b₁ = 8 and b₁ =b₁-₁-3. Which of the

n-1
following is the value of b,? Show the work that leads to your answer.
(1) 14
(2) 2
(3) 6
(4) 4

Answer 1

The answer will be 14!

Answer 2

To find the value of b_n in an arithmetic sequence given by the recursive definition b_1 = 8 and b_n = b_{n-1} - 3, we can use the formula for the nth term in an arithmetic sequence:

b_n = b_1 + (n-1)d

where d is the common difference. In this case, d = -3.

So, we can plug in the values for b_1 and d to find b_n:

b_n = 8 + (n-1)(-3)

b_n = 8 - 3(n-1)

Now, to find the value of b_n for a specific n, we just need to substitute the value of n into the equation for b_n. For example, if we want to find b_14, we would substitute n = 14:

b_14 = 8 - 3(14-1)

b_14 = 8 - 3(13)

b_14 = 8 - 39

b_14 = -31

So, the value of b_14 is -31, and the answer is (1) 14.