Find the first four terms of the sequence given by the following.
an=51 + (n-1).8, n=1, 2, 3...

Step-by-step explanation:

a1 = 51 + (1 -1 ) * 0.8

a1 = 51

a2 = 51 + (2 - 1)*0.8

a2 = 51 + 0.8

a2 = 51.8

a3 = 51 + (3 - 1)*0.8

a3 = 51 + 2*0.8

a3 = 51 + 1.6

a3 = 52.6

a4 = 51 + (4 - 1)*0.8

a4 = 51 + 2.4

a4 = 53.4

hello from mrbilldoesmath!

answer:

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

discussion:

this ones a bit interesting. given a(n) = 5 - 3n consider this:

a(n-1) = 5 - 3(n-1)

          = (5 - 3n) + 3             => but a(n) = 5 - 3n, the first term

          = a(n)   + 3                 => subtract 3 from both sides

a(n-1) -3 = a(n)  

or

a(n) - a(n-1) -3

you,

mrb

one that is bigger than 3 1/2