Final answer:
The first term, which is a = 3. Then, applying the formula to find the next terms: -6, -15, -24, -33.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the first 5 terms of the sequence given by the recursive formula an+1 = an - 9, we need to start with the first term, which is a = 3.
Using the recursive formula, we can find the next terms:
a2 = a1 - 9
= 3 - 9
= -6
a3 = a2 - 9
= -6 - 9
= -15
a4 = a3 - 9
= -15 - 9
= -24
a5 = a4 - 9
= -24 - 9
= -33
So, the first 5 terms of the sequence are: 3, -6, -15, -24, -33.