Give the first five terms of the following recursively defined sequence:

a1=1, and ak=ak-1+2for k2.

Also, give a closed formula for the sequence.

Short Answer

Expert verified

{1,3,5,7,9}ak=2k-1;k1

Step by step solution

01

Step1. Given Information

Consider the sequenceak=ak1+2,a1=1,k2

The objective is to find the first five terms of the sequence. Also, find the closed formula.

To find the terms of the sequence, substitutek=2,3,4,5inak=ak1+2

02

Step2. Substitution

a2=a21+2

=a1+2(using a=1)

=1+2

Therefore,a2=3

03

Step3. Substitution

Substituting k=3,

a3=a31+2

=a2+2 using(a2=3)

=3+2

=5

Therefore,a3=5

04

Step4. Substitution

Substituting k=4,

a4=a41+2

=a3+2using(a3=5)=5+2=7

Therefore,a4=7

05

Step5. Substitution 

Substituting k=5

a5=a5-1+2=a4+2using(a4=7)=7+2=9

Therefore, a5=9

06

Step6. Answer

Hence, the five terms of the sequence are {1,3,5,7,9}.

Clearly, the given sequence is sequence of consecutive odd numbers.

Hence, the closed formula isak=2k1, wherekis the positive integer andk1.

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