Got It? 5. For each recursive formula, find an explicit form ula th a t represents the
same sequence.
a. A( n) = A{ n - 1) + 2; A ( l ) = 21
b. A[ n) = A{ n - 1) + 7; >1(1) = 2
Pr o b l em 6 Writing a Recursive Formula From an Explicit Formula
An arithmetic sequence is represented by the explicit formula A{n) = 32 + (n — 1)(22).
What is the recursive formula?
32 is the firs t term.
A(ri) 32 + (/z 1)(22) - ; 22 is the common difference.
A recursive form ula relates th e value of th e term to th e previous term using the com m on
difference. Use A{ri) to rep resen t th e value of th e term a n d A(n - 1) to re p resen t th e value of the
previous term.
The arithm etic sequence is re p resen te d by th e recursive form ula A{ri) = A {n - 1) + 22;
A (l) = 32.
^ Got It? 6. For each explicit form ula, find a recursive form ula th at rep resen ts the
sequence.
a. A{n) = 76 + ( n - 1)(10)
b. A{n) = 1 + (n - 1)(3)
same
Lesso n Ch eck
Do y o u k n o w H OW?
Describe a pattern in each sequence. Then find the next
two terms of the sequence.
- 3, 11, 19, 2 7 ,...
- 3, - 6 , 12, - 2 4 ,...
Tell whether the sequence is arithmetic. If it is, identify
the common difference.
- 1, - 7 , -1 4 , - 2 1 ,...
- 1 1 ,2 0 ,2 9 ,3 8 ,...
- Write a recursive an d an explicit form ula for the
arithm etic sequence.
9, 7,5,3,1,...
MATHEMATICAL
Do y o u UN DERSTAN D? PRACTICES
6. V o c a b u l a r y C onsider th e following arithm etic
sequence: 25,19,13, 7 ,... Is th e co m m o n difference
6 or - 6? Explain.
- Error Analysis D escribe an d correct th e error below
in finding th e te n th term of th e arithm etic sequence
4,12, 20, 28,...
@ 8. R e a s o n i n g Can you use th e explicit form ula below
to find th e nth term of an arithm etic sequence w ith a
first term A (l) an d a co m m o n difference d? Explain.
A{ri) = A (l) + n d - d
278 Chap t er 4 An Int ro d uct io n t o Funct ions