Question

find the first three terms of the sequence a^1 = -5, a^n = a^n-1 + 4

Answer 1

To find the first three terms of the sequence defined by \( a^1 = -5 \) and \( a^n = a^{n-1} + 4 \), we will calculate each term step by step.

1. The first term is given:
\[
a^1 = -5
\]

2. To find the second term \( a^2 \):
\[
a^2 = a^1 + 4 = -5 + 4 = -1
\]

3. To find the third term \( a^3 \):
\[
a^3 = a^2 + 4 = -1 + 4 = 3
\]

So, the first three terms of the sequence are:
\[
a^1 = -5,\ a^2 = -1,\ a^3 = 3
\]