a(1)=7 an=a(n-1) -4

how do i find the first 5 numbers in this sequence?

Question

a(1)=7   an=a(n-1)  -4

how do i find the first 5 numbers in this sequence?

mathstudent55 · Answer

What does this rule mean?

$\large a_n=a_{n-1} -4$

anonymous · Answer

I dont know, I was also given that  n is greater than or equal to 2

mathstudent55 · Answer

Ok. This is how you interpret the rule.

$\large a_n$ means any therm in the sequence.
$\large a_{n - 1} $ means the term before $\large a_n$
That means that any term in the sequence is the previous term minus 4.

anonymous · Answer

so 3 is 2-4?
and 4 is 3-4?
and 5 is 5-4?

mathstudent55 · Answer

The first term is given to you.

$\large a_1 = 7$

Now we need to find the second term.
The second term is the previous term minus 4.

$\large a_2 = a_1 - 4 = 7 - 4 = 3$

mathstudent55 · Answer

n is not the value of the term. 
n is simply a way to keep count of each term.

anonymous · Answer

ohhh, so then|dw:1404848475215:dw|