Question

I'm study the recursive formula for an arithmetic sequence in algebra 2. Is xn = a + d(n-1) the same as an+1 = an + d ?? ( the an are actually a subscript n)

Answer 1

yes if i am reading it correctly

Answer 2

I'm kinda confused about the n subscript thing

Answer 3

actually i changed my mind the first one has an x and the second one doesn't

Answer 4

What does the whole subscript thing have to do with this

Answer 5

X and a r the same

Answer 6

i am not sure what
\[x_n=a+d(n-1)\] means

Answer 7

Just used different variables for the two equations

Answer 8

\[a_{n+1}=a_n+d\] is easy to understand
it says the next term is \(d\) more than the previous one

Answer 9

By what's with the n+1

Answer 10

That's what is confusing me

Answer 11

lets do an example
suppose \(a_{n+1}=a_n+5\) and \(a_1=4\)

Answer 12

then \(a_2=a_1+5=4+5=9\) and
\[a_3=a_2+5=9+5=14\] and
\[a_4=a_3+5=14+5=19\] an in general
\[a_{n+1}=a_n+5\]

Answer 13

Ok think I'm kinda getting iy

Answer 14

the n plus first term is the next term after the nth term

Answer 15

Ok but sometimes in these type of problems I see n-1 subscript?

Answer 16

So the subscript is a way to determine the terms

Answer 17

makes no difference
there is no difference between say
\[a_n=a_{n-1}+5\] and
\[a_{n+1}=a_n+5\] they both say the next term if 5 more than the previous one

Answer 18

So it doesn't matter if it is minus or plus

Answer 19

Oh so it's just moving it to different sides of the equation
Is minus always on the sidewith the plus #

Answer 20

Well Thank you so much u explained this better than my math teacher
Ur the best thanks so much

Answer 21

I'll figure out the rest my own thanks