a, = 6, ar+1

College Algebra
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168383
Author:Jay Abramson
Publisher:Jay Abramson
Chapter9: Sequences, Probability And Counting Theory
Section9.4: Series And Their Notations
Problem 1SE: What is an nth partial sum?
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In Exercises 11 and 12, write the first five terms of the recursively defined sequence.

### Problem Statement: Sequence Defined by Recurrence Relation

**Problem 12.** Consider the sequence defined by the recurrence relation \( a_{k+1} = \frac{1}{3}a_k^2 \) with the initial term \( a_1 = 6 \).

In this problem, the sequence starts with \( a_1 \) equal to 6. Each subsequent term in the sequence \( a_{k+1} \) is obtained by squaring the current term \( a_k \) and then dividing by 3.

**Key Concepts:**
- **Recurrence Relation**: A recurrence relation is an equation that recursively defines a sequence, where each term is a function of its preceding terms.
- **Initial Term**: The initial term \( a_1 \) is the first term of the sequence, which is given as 6 in this problem.

**Example Calculation**:
Given the initial term \( a_1 = 6 \), we can compute the next term in the sequence (\( a_2 \)) as follows:
\[ a_2 = \frac{1}{3} a_1^2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 6^2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 36 = 12 \]

Continuing this process, we can find the next few terms in the sequence.

### Steps to Solve:

1. **Start with the initial term**:
   \[ a_1 = 6 \]
2. **Use the recurrence relation to find subsequent terms**:
   \[ a_{k+1} = \frac{1}{3} a_k^2 \]
   
   Calculate \( a_2 \):
   \[ a_2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 6^2 = 12 \]

   Calculate \( a_3 \):
   \[ a_3 = \frac{1}{3} \times 12^2 = 48 \]

   Calculate \( a_4 \):
   \[ a_4 = \frac{1}{3} \times 48^2 = 768 \]

3. **Continue this process for as many terms as needed**.
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Statement: Sequence Defined by Recurrence Relation **Problem 12.** Consider the sequence defined by the recurrence relation \( a_{k+1} = \frac{1}{3}a_k^2 \) with the initial term \( a_1 = 6 \). In this problem, the sequence starts with \( a_1 \) equal to 6. Each subsequent term in the sequence \( a_{k+1} \) is obtained by squaring the current term \( a_k \) and then dividing by 3. **Key Concepts:** - **Recurrence Relation**: A recurrence relation is an equation that recursively defines a sequence, where each term is a function of its preceding terms. - **Initial Term**: The initial term \( a_1 \) is the first term of the sequence, which is given as 6 in this problem. **Example Calculation**: Given the initial term \( a_1 = 6 \), we can compute the next term in the sequence (\( a_2 \)) as follows: \[ a_2 = \frac{1}{3} a_1^2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 6^2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 36 = 12 \] Continuing this process, we can find the next few terms in the sequence. ### Steps to Solve: 1. **Start with the initial term**: \[ a_1 = 6 \] 2. **Use the recurrence relation to find subsequent terms**: \[ a_{k+1} = \frac{1}{3} a_k^2 \] Calculate \( a_2 \): \[ a_2 = \frac{1}{3} \times 6^2 = 12 \] Calculate \( a_3 \): \[ a_3 = \frac{1}{3} \times 12^2 = 48 \] Calculate \( a_4 \): \[ a_4 = \frac{1}{3} \times 48^2 = 768 \] 3. **Continue this process for as many terms as needed**.
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