Write the first five terms in each of the following sequences: (i) a1 = 1, an = an–1 + 2, n > 1 (ii) a1 = 1 = a2, an = an–1 + an–2, n > 2
Write the first five terms in each of the following sequences: (i) a1 = 1, an = an–1 + 2, n > 1 (ii) a1 = 1 = a2, an = an–1 + an–2, n > 2

Answer:

(i)

Using n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the first five terms can be calculated.

If n = 1,

a1 = 1

If n = 2,

a2 = a2–1 + 2

a2 = a1 + 2

a2 = 1 + 2

a2 = 3

If n = 3,

a3 = a3–1 + 2

a3 = a2 + 2

a3 = 3 + 2

a3 = 5

If n = 4,

a4 = a4–1 + 2

a4 = a3 + 2

a4 = 5 + 2

a4 = 7

If n = 5,

a5 = a5–1 + 2

a5 = a4 + 2

a5 = 7 + 2

a5 = 9

∴ First five terms of the sequence are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

(ii)

Using n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the first five terms can be calculated.

If n = 1,

a1 = 1

 

If n = 2,

a2 = 1

 

If n = 3,

a3 = a3–1 + a3–2

a3 = a2 + a1

a3 = 1 + 1

a3 = 2

If n = 4,

a4 = a4–1 + a4–2

a4 = a3 + a2

a4 = 2 + 1

a4 = 3

 

If n = 5,

a5 = a5–1 + a5–2

a5 = a4 + a3

a5 = 3 + 2

a5 = 5

∴ First five terms of the sequence = 1, 1, 2, 3, 5.