Chapter 14: Problem 16
Find the indicated term for each sequence. $$ a_{n}=\frac{5 n-9}{3 n+8} ; \quad a_{16} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(a_{16} = \frac{71}{56}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the sequence formula
The given sequence formula is \(a_{n} = \frac{5n-9}{3n+8}\). We need to find the term \(a_{16}\).
02
Substitute the value of n
Substitute \(n = 16\) into the formula: \(a_{16} = \frac{5(16) - 9}{3(16) + 8}\).
03
Simplify the numerator
Calculate the numerator: \(5(16) - 9 = 80 - 9 = 71\).
04
Simplify the denominator
Calculate the denominator: \(3(16) + 8 = 48 + 8 = 56\).
05
Combine the results
Substitute the simplified parts back into the fraction: \(a_{16} = \frac{71}{56}\).
06
Simplify the fraction if possible
Check if \(\frac{71}{56}\) can be simplified. Since 71 and 56 have no common factors other than 1, \(\frac{71}{56}\) is already in its simplest form.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
algebraic sequences
An algebraic sequence is a list of numbers where each term is generated by a specific algebraic formula. In our case, the formula given is \(a_{n} = \frac{5n-9}{3n+8}\). Understanding this formula helps us predict the value of any term in the sequence. Sequences can often be found in a wide range of mathematical and real-life problems. By using the formula, we can efficiently find the nth term without manually listing all preceding terms.
Let's break it down:
Let's break it down:
- **Numerator**: The term \(5n - 9\) tells us how rapidly the numerator grows as n increases.
- **Denominator**: Similarly, \(3n + 8\) tells us the growth rate of the denominator.
term evaluation
Evaluating the indicated term of a sequence means substituting the given value of n into the sequence formula. For instance, to find \(a_{16}\), you simply plug 16 into \(a_{n} = \frac{5n-9}{3n+8}\). This process is straightforward if done step-by-step:
1. Substitute n = 16: \(a_{16} = \frac{5(16) - 9}{3(16) + 8}\)
2. Simplify the numerator:
3. Simplify the denominator:
4. Combine results: This gives us \(a_{16} = \frac{71}{56}\).
1. Substitute n = 16: \(a_{16} = \frac{5(16) - 9}{3(16) + 8}\)
2. Simplify the numerator:
- Calculate \(5(16) - 9\): \( 80 - 9 = 71\)
3. Simplify the denominator:
- Calculate \(3(16) + 8\): \(48 + 8 = 56\)
4. Combine results: This gives us \(a_{16} = \frac{71}{56}\).
simplifying fractions
Simplifying the fractions in sequence formulas makes them easier to understand. It involves reducing a fraction to its simplest form by ensuring the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1. For example, for \(a_{16} = \frac{71}{56}\), we check to see if 71 and 56 share any factors. Since 71 is a prime number and 56 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 7, they share no common divisors. Thus, \(\frac{71}{56}\) is already simplified.
Key steps to simplify any fraction:
Key steps to simplify any fraction:
- 1. Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator.
- 2. Divide both numerator and denominator by the GCD.
- 3. If the GCD is 1, the fraction is already in its simplest form.