Final answer:
In a sequence described by a function, the notation f(3) = 1 means that the third term in the sequence is 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of sequences described by functions, the notation f(3) = 1 signifies that when the input to the function is 3, the output is 1. This often represents a term within a sequence, specifically, that the third term in the sequence has a value of 1. Therefore, the correct interpretation of this notation in the context of a sequence is option (a). The notation does not offer information about the common ratio of a geometric sequence or the common difference of an arithmetic sequence, nor does it imply that the first term of the sequence has a value of 3.