Chapter 9: Problem 13
For the following exercises, write the first four terms of the sequence. $$ a_{n}=\frac{n^{2}}{2 n+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first four terms are \( \frac{1}{3}, \frac{4}{5}, \frac{9}{7}, \frac{16}{9} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Formula
The formula for the sequence is given as \( a_n = \frac{n^2}{2n+1} \), where \( n \) is the term number in the sequence. We need to find the first four terms, i.e., \( a_1 \), \( a_2 \), \( a_3 \), and \( a_4 \).
02
Calculate First Term
To find \( a_1 \), substitute \( n = 1 \) into the formula: \[ a_1 = \frac{1^2}{2 \times 1 + 1} = \frac{1}{3} \]
03
Calculate Second Term
To find \( a_2 \), substitute \( n = 2 \) into the formula: \[ a_2 = \frac{2^2}{2 \times 2 + 1} = \frac{4}{5} \]
04
Calculate Third Term
To find \( a_3 \), substitute \( n = 3 \) into the formula: \[ a_3 = \frac{3^2}{2 \times 3 + 1} = \frac{9}{7} \]
05
Calculate Fourth Term
To find \( a_4 \), substitute \( n = 4 \) into the formula: \[ a_4 = \frac{4^2}{2 \times 4 + 1} = \frac{16}{9} \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sequence Formula
A sequence formula is an equation that allows us to find the nth term of a sequence. In our exercise, the sequence is defined by the formula \( a_n = \frac{n^2}{2n + 1} \). Understanding the sequence formula is crucial because it tells us how each term relates to the position number, \( n \).
Here, the sequence is made up of fractions where the numerator is the square of \( n \), and the denominator is a simple linear expression in \( n \).
Here, the sequence is made up of fractions where the numerator is the square of \( n \), and the denominator is a simple linear expression in \( n \).
- The numerator, \( n^2 \), indicates that each term's numerator grows quadratically.
- The denominator, \( 2n + 1 \), is linear and increases linearly with each increment in \( n \).
Term Calculation
Term calculation involves using the sequence formula to find specific terms within the sequence. In our example, we want the first four terms. This is a step-by-step process where you replace \( n \) with 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively.
- First Term, \( a_1 \): Substitute \( n = 1 \) into the formula: \( a_1 = \frac{1^2}{2\times1 + 1} = \frac{1}{3} \)
- Second Term, \( a_2 \): Substitute \( n = 2 \) into the formula: \( a_2 = \frac{2^2}{2\times2 + 1} = \frac{4}{5} \)
- Third Term, \( a_3 \): Substitute \( n = 3 \) into the formula: \( a_3 = \frac{3^2}{2\times3+1} = \frac{9}{7} \)
- Fourth Term, \( a_4 \): Substitute \( n = 4 \) into the formula: \( a_4 = \frac{4^2}{2\times4+1} = \frac{16}{9} \)
Algebraic Expressions
Algebraic expressions play a key role in understanding and working with sequences. In the given formula \( a_n = \frac{n^2}{2n + 1} \), both the numerator and the denominator are algebraic expressions.
The numerator \( n^2 \) is a simple expression involving a square function, indicating that the term's size increases significantly as \( n \) gets larger. Meanwhile, the denominator \( 2n + 1 \) is a linear expression.
The numerator \( n^2 \) is a simple expression involving a square function, indicating that the term's size increases significantly as \( n \) gets larger. Meanwhile, the denominator \( 2n + 1 \) is a linear expression.
- A simple quadratic like \( n^2 \) makes calculations predictable as it dictates faster growth.
- The linear expression \( 2n + 1 \) allows us to easily predict the pattern of growth.