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If a₁ = 4 and aₙ = -4aₙ₋₁, find the value of a₅.

User Norman
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Final answer:

To find the value of a₅ in the given sequence, we use the recursive formula to calculate the previous terms and then substitute it into the formula. The value of a₅ is -1024.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this problem, we are given the initial value of a (a₁ = 4) and a recursive formula for finding the subsequent terms of the sequence (aₙ = -4aₙ₋₁). We need to find the value of a₅.

Let's use the recursive formula to find the value of a₅:

a₅ = -4a₄

Using the previous terms, we can calculate a₄:

a₄ = -4a₃ = -4(-4a₂) = 16a₂ = 16(4a₁) = 64a₁ = 64(4) = 256

Therefore, a₅ = -4a₄ = -4(256) = -1024.

User Joeslice
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