To find the first three terms of the arithmetic sequence given by the recursive formula \( a_1 = -5 \) and \( a_n = a_{n-1} + 4 \), we can calculate the terms step by step.
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The first term is given as: \[ a_1 = -5 \]
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To find the second term \( a_2 \): \[ a_2 = a_1 + 4 = -5 + 4 = -1 \]
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To find the third term \( a_3 \): \[ a_3 = a_2 + 4 = -1 + 4 = 3 \]
Thus, the first three terms of the sequence are:
- \( a_1 = -5 \)
- \( a_2 = -1 \)
- \( a_3 = 3 \)
The final answer is:
- \( a_1 = -5 \)
- \( a_2 = -1 \)
- \( a_3 = 3 \)