Chapter 12: Problem 13
Find the first five terms of the given recursively defined sequence. \(a_{n}=2 a_{n-1}+1 \quad\) and \(\quad a_{1}=1\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first five terms are: 1, 3, 7, 15, 31.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Recursive Formula
The problem gives us a recursive formula: \( a_{n} = 2a_{n-1} + 1 \). This means that to find any term \( a_n \), we need to know the value of the previous term \( a_{n-1} \). Additionally, we are given the initial condition \( a_1 = 1 \). Our task is to apply this formula iteratively to find the sequence's terms.
02
Compute the Second Term
Start with the initial term \( a_1 = 1 \). Use the recursive formula to find \( a_2 \): \( a_2 = 2a_1 + 1 = 2(1) + 1 = 3 \). So, the second term is \( a_2 = 3 \).
03
Compute the Third Term
Using \( a_2 = 3 \), apply the recursive formula to find \( a_3 \): \( a_3 = 2a_2 + 1 = 2(3) + 1 = 7 \). Therefore, the third term is \( a_3 = 7 \).
04
Compute the Fourth Term
Now that we know \( a_3 = 7 \), use this to find \( a_4 \): \( a_4 = 2a_3 + 1 = 2(7) + 1 = 15 \). So, the fourth term is \( a_4 = 15 \).
05
Compute the Fifth Term
With \( a_4 = 15 \), apply the recursive relationship to determine \( a_5 \): \( a_5 = 2a_4 + 1 = 2(15) + 1 = 31 \). Thus, the fifth term is \( a_5 = 31 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Recursion
Recursion in mathematics is a process of defining a sequence or function where each term or value is derived from the preceding ones. It involves a base case and a recursive formula. In the problem we are tackling, this concept is front and center. The equation given is recursive:
- Base case: First term is defined without depending on other terms, here it's given that \( a_1 = 1 \).
- Recursive formula: Each subsequent term is calculated using the previous term, given by \( a_n = 2a_{n-1} + 1 \).
Sequence Terms
Sequence terms refer to the individual elements or entries within a sequence, which can be thought of as a list of numbers or objects. In our exercise, terms are generated from a starting value using a fixed rule.
Each term in a sequence can be calculated using the formula given. Let's break them down to understand:
Each term in a sequence can be calculated using the formula given. Let's break them down to understand:
- Initial Term: The sequence starts with \( a_1 = 1 \), which is independently defined.
- Subsequent Terms: Each new term \( a_n \) is found using the preceding term \( a_{n-1} \) with the formula \( a_n = 2a_{n-1} + 1 \).
Step-by-Step Solution
Approaching a recursively defined sequence calls for a clear and organized method. Let's go through the process of determining the first five sequence terms using a systematic sequence of steps:
- Step 1: Start with what's given, \( a_1 = 1 \).
- Step 2: Compute \( a_2 \) using the formula, \( a_2 = 2a_1 + 1 = 3 \).
- Step 3: Use \( a_2 \) to find \( a_3 \), \( a_3 = 2a_2 + 1 = 7 \).
- Step 4: With \( a_3 = 7 \), determine \( a_4 \), \( a_4 = 2a_3 + 1 = 15 \).
- Step 5: Apply the relation for \( a_5 \), \( a_5 = 2a_4 + 1 = 31 \).