Chapter 11: Problem 20
For the following exercises, write the first eight terms of the piecewise
sequence.
$$
a_{n}=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll}{4\left(n^{2}-2\right)} & {\text { if } n \leq
3 \text { or } n>6} \\ {\frac{n^{2}-2}{4}} & {\text { if } 3
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first eight terms are -4, 8, 28, 3.5, 5.75, 8.5, 188, 248.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Sequence
This sequence is defined piecewise, meaning it has different expressions for different values of \( n \). For \( n \leq 3 \) or \( n > 6 \), the sequence is defined as \( 4(n^2 - 2) \). For \( 3 < n \leq 6 \), it is defined as \( \frac{n^2 - 2}{4} \). We need to find the first eight terms for \( n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 \).
02
Calculate Terms for \( n \leq 3 \)
Evaluate the expression \( 4(n^2 - 2) \) for \( n = 1, 2, 3 \).- For \( n = 1 \): \[ a_1 = 4(1^2 - 2) = 4(1 - 2) = 4(-1) = -4 \]- For \( n = 2 \): \[ a_2 = 4(2^2 - 2) = 4(4 - 2) = 4(2) = 8 \]- For \( n = 3 \): \[ a_3 = 4(3^2 - 2) = 4(9 - 2) = 4(7) = 28 \]
03
Calculate Terms for \( 3 < n \leq 6 \)
Evaluate the expression \( \frac{n^2 - 2}{4} \) for \( n = 4, 5, 6 \).- For \( n = 4 \): \[ a_4 = \frac{4^2 - 2}{4} = \frac{16 - 2}{4} = \frac{14}{4} = 3.5 \]- For \( n = 5 \): \[ a_5 = \frac{5^2 - 2}{4} = \frac{25 - 2}{4} = \frac{23}{4} = 5.75 \]- For \( n = 6 \): \[ a_6 = \frac{6^2 - 2}{4} = \frac{36 - 2}{4} = \frac{34}{4} = 8.5 \]
04
Calculate Terms for \( n > 6 \)
Evaluate the expression \( 4(n^2 - 2) \) for \( n = 7, 8 \).- For \( n = 7 \): \[ a_7 = 4(7^2 - 2) = 4(49 - 2) = 4(47) = 188 \]- For \( n = 8 \): \[ a_8 = 4(8^2 - 2) = 4(64 - 2) = 4(62) = 248 \]
05
Write the First Eight Terms
Compile the calculated values into the sequence:- First Term (\( n = 1 \)): -4- Second Term (\( n = 2 \)): 8- Third Term (\( n = 3 \)): 28- Fourth Term (\( n = 4 \)): 3.5- Fifth Term (\( n = 5 \)): 5.75- Sixth Term (\( n = 6 \)): 8.5- Seventh Term (\( n = 7 \)): 188- Eighth Term (\( n = 8 \)): 248
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
sequence terms calculation
A piecewise sequence is a mathematical sequence where the rule for determining its terms varies depending on the value of the variable, in this case, \( n \). Calculating the terms of such a sequence involves understanding and applying different expressions to different intervals of \( n \). In the given example, the sequence is defined for specific ranges:
- For \( n \leq 3 \) or \( n > 6 \), the expression \( 4(n^2 - 2) \) is used.
- For \( 3 < n \leq 6 \), the expression \( \frac{n^2 - 2}{4} \) is used.
mathematical expressions
Mathematical expressions are combinations of numbers, variables, and operators (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) that represent a particular value or relationship. They often define the rules for calculating terms in sequences, like in our piecewise sequence example.In our sequence:
- The expression \( 4(n^2 - 2) \) implies a quadratic relationship with \( n \) altered by a constant difference and a multiplication factor of 4. This drastically changes the term value as \( n \) increases for specific ranges.
- The expression \( \frac{n^2 - 2}{4} \) also represents a quadratic relationship moderated by division by 4, which gently adjusts the term value for another specific range of \( n \).
step by step solution
Following a step by step solution is crucial for understanding complex mathematical concepts. For piecewise sequences, it helps to break down the sequences based on the defined intervals of \( n \), ensuring each step accounts for the respective expression to use.Here's how the solution was approached:
- **Step 1:** Recognize the sequence is piecewise and note the expressions correspond to the values of \( n \).
- **Step 2:** For \( n \leq 3 \), evaluate \( 4(n^2 - 2) \), calculating each term by substituting the values for \( n = 1, 2, 3 \).
- **Step 3:** For \( 3 < n \leq 6 \), evaluate \( \frac{n^2 - 2}{4} \) for \( n = 4, 5, 6 \).
- **Step 4:** For \( n > 6 \), return to \( 4(n^2 - 2) \) and compute terms for \( n = 7, 8 \).