What are the first four terms of the sequence represented by the expression:
n(n - 1) - 4
A: -2, 2, 6, 10
B: -3, 0, 3, 6
C: -4, -2, 2, 8
D: -5, -4, -2, 6

Please explain how you got this so I can do these types of problems on my own in the future.
Thanks.

Question

What are the first four terms of the sequence represented by the expression:
n(n - 1) - 4
A:  -2, 2, 6, 10
B:  -3, 0, 3, 6
C:  -4, -2, 2, 8
D:  -5, -4, -2, 6

Please explain how you got this so I can do these types of problems on my own in the future.
Thanks.

solomonzelman · Answer

plug in       1,        2,       3,      4        for n to find the
                1st      2nd     3rd    4th           terms

shiree19 · Answer

so make an x, y graph/table?

solomonzelman · Answer

just plug in numbers for n the way I told you to do it....

anonymous · Answer

for natural numbers?

solomonzelman · Answer

yes plugging in for n natural numbers (as there is no such a thing as 0th or -nth term in a sequence)

shiree19 · Answer

so the answer is C: -4, -2, 2, 8?

solomonzelman · Answer

Yes, correct !

shiree19 · Answer

thanks so much!