Chapter 9: Problem 9
Write the first four terms of the sequence. $$a_{n}=\frac{2^{n}}{n^{3}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first four terms are: 2, 1/2, 8/27, and 1/4.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Sequence Formula
The given formula for the sequence is \( a_n = \frac{2^n}{n^3} \). This formula describes each term of the sequence as a fraction where the numerator is \( 2^n \) and the denominator is \( n^3 \). Our goal is to substitute the first four natural numbers for \( n \) to find the corresponding terms of the sequence.
02
Calculating the First Term
Substitute \( n = 1 \) into the formula: \( a_1 = \frac{2^1}{1^3} = \frac{2}{1} = 2 \). Therefore, the first term of the sequence is 2.
03
Calculating the Second Term
Substitute \( n = 2 \) into the formula: \( a_2 = \frac{2^2}{2^3} = \frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2} \). Thus, the second term of the sequence is \( \frac{1}{2} \).
04
Calculating the Third Term
Substitute \( n = 3 \) into the formula: \( a_3 = \frac{2^3}{3^3} = \frac{8}{27} \). Therefore, the third term of the sequence is \( \frac{8}{27} \).
05
Calculating the Fourth Term
Substitute \( n = 4 \) into the formula: \( a_4 = \frac{2^4}{4^3} = \frac{16}{64} = \frac{1}{4} \). Thus, the fourth term of the sequence is \( \frac{1}{4} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Sequence Formula
A sequence in mathematics is essentially a list of numbers that follow a specific pattern or rule. The sequence formula provides the means to determine each term in this list. In our case, the sequence formula is given by \[a_n = \frac{2^n}{n^3}\]. This particular formula lays out a clear structure for each term in the sequence, where:
- The numerator, \(2^n\), represents 2 raised to the nth power.
- The denominator, \(n^3\), represents n raised to the third power.
Natural Numbers
Natural numbers are a fundamental part of mathematics. They are the numbers we naturally count with, starting from 1 and going upwards without limit.
- Examples of natural numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.
- Natural numbers are positive and do not include fractions, decimals, or negative numbers.
Fraction Terms
Understanding fractions is key when working with sequences involving fraction terms. A fraction represents a part of a whole and is composed of two parts: the numerator and the denominator. In the sequence formula \(a_n = \frac{2^n}{n^3}\), each term is expressed as a fraction:
- The numerator \(2^n\) grows exponentially as \(n\) increases.
- The denominator \(n^3\) grows more rapidly because it's a cubic function of \(n\).
- The fraction as a whole, \(\frac{2^n}{n^3}\), diminishes because the denominator typically increases faster than the numerator.