Question

Write the first five terms of the sequence defined by the recursive formula a(n) = 2*(a(n - 1)) + 5 with a(1) = -3

-3, -10, -24, -43, -81
-3, -1, 3, 11, 27
-3, 2, 7, 12, 17
-3, 4, 18, 46, 102

I'm trying to do this the way I've always done them (and gotten them right in the past) but I keep getting it wrong:(

Answer 1

a(n) = 2*(a(n-1)) + 5
a(1) = -3

a(2) = 2*(a(2-1)) + 5
= 2*(a(1)) + 5
= 2*(-3) + 5
= -1

Basically, you take the previous value and plug it in the given formula to obtain the next value.

Answer 2

haha I just figured it out too and now I feel stupid, but thank you!

Answer 3

B is -3,-1,3.. is correct 100%