Find the first four terms of the sequence defined below, where n represents the position of a term in the sequence. Start with n = 1.

an = 2(3)n

1 answer

To find the first four terms of the sequence defined by the formula \( a_n = 2(3)^n \), we will substitute \( n = 1, 2, 3, \) and \( 4 \) into the equation.

  1. For \( n = 1 \): \[ a_1 = 2(3)^1 = 2 \times 3 = 6 \]

  2. For \( n = 2 \): \[ a_2 = 2(3)^2 = 2 \times 9 = 18 \]

  3. For \( n = 3 \): \[ a_3 = 2(3)^3 = 2 \times 27 = 54 \]

  4. For \( n = 4 \): \[ a_4 = 2(3)^4 = 2 \times 81 = 162 \]

Therefore, the first four terms of the sequence are: \[ 6, 18, 54, 162 \]