Chapter 12: Problem 9
Find the first four terms and the 100th term of the sequence. \(a_{n}=n^{n}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first four terms are 1, 4, 27, 256. The 100th term is 100^100.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Pattern for the Sequence
The sequence is defined by the formula \(a_{n} = n^n\). Each term in the sequence is generated by raising \(n\) to the power of \(n\). We will find the first four terms by substituting \(n = 1\), \(n = 2\), \(n = 3\), and \(n = 4\) into the formula.
02
Calculate the First Term
Substitute \(n = 1\) into the formula: \(a_{1} = 1^{1} = 1\).
03
Calculate the Second Term
Substitute \(n = 2\) into the formula: \(a_{2} = 2^{2} = 4\).
04
Calculate the Third Term
Substitute \(n = 3\) into the formula: \(a_{3} = 3^{3} = 27\).
05
Calculate the Fourth Term
Substitute \(n = 4\) into the formula: \(a_{4} = 4^{4} = 256\).
06
Find the 100th Term
Substitute \(n = 100\) into the formula: \(a_{100} = 100^{100}\). This represents a very large number with 100 trailing zeros.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponents
Exponents are a mathematical tool that shows you how many times to multiply a number by itself. For example, in the expression \( n^n \), \( n \) is the base, and the exponent is \( n \) itself. This tells us to multiply \( n \) by itself \( n \) times. Exponents simplify expressions and make large numbers easier to work with.When you are working with exponents, try to memorize some basic powers. For instance, \( 2^3 = 8 \), which means multiplying 2 three times: \( 2 \times 2 \times 2 \). Knowing these can speed up your calculations. Understanding exponents is crucial for understanding patterns in sequences and solving problems efficiently.
Term Calculation
To find a specific term in an exponential sequence, you need to substitute the term number into the given formula. Take the sequence formula \( a_n = n^n \), for example. Here, the term number \( n \) is used as both the base and the exponent.Let's calculate with this formula:
- First Term: Set \( n = 1 \), so \( a_1 = 1^1 = 1 \).
- Second Term: Set \( n = 2 \), so \( a_2 = 2^2 = 4 \).
- Third Term: Set \( n = 3 \), so \( a_3 = 3^3 = 27 \).
- Fourth Term: Set \( n = 4 \), so \( a_4 = 4^4 = 256 \).
Sequence Patterns
Mathematical sequences rely on patterns to understand their nature. In an exponential sequence like \( a_n = n^n \), each term is generated by a predictable pattern, multiplying a number by itself \( n \) times. This causes each term to grow rapidly.Recognizing these patterns helps solve sequence-related problems more swiftly.
- An exponential growth pattern results in increasingly larger numbers.
- Terms are not added or subtracted but instead, each term grows relative to itself.