(f(1) =

—62
f(n) = f(n - 1) + 5
Find an explicit formula for f(n).
f(n) = |
+=

1 answer

To find an explicit formula for \( f(n) \), we start with the given recursion:

  1. Initial condition: \( f(1) = -62 \)
  2. Recurrence relation: \( f(n) = f(n - 1) + 5 \)

We can derive the explicit formula by calculating the first few terms based on this recurrence relation:

  • \( f(1) = -62 \)
  • \( f(2) = f(1) + 5 = -62 + 5 = -57 \)
  • \( f(3) = f(2) + 5 = -57 + 5 = -52 \)
  • \( f(4) = f(3) + 5 = -52 + 5 = -47 \)

It appears that each time we move to the next value of \( n \), we increase the value of \( f(n) \) by 5.

The sequence can be expressed more generally. Starting from \( f(1) \) and adding 5 for each increment in \( n \),

\[ f(n) = f(1) + 5(n - 1) \]

Substituting in the initial condition:

\[ f(n) = -62 + 5(n - 1) \]

Now simplifying,

\[ f(n) = -62 + 5n - 5 \] \[ f(n) = 5n - 67 \]

Thus, the explicit formula for \( f(n) \) is:

\[ \boxed{f(n) = 5n - 67} \]