SOLUTION: Thanks for responding to my question. I understand what you were doing but I am still confuse about where the other equation works in f(n)= f(n-1)+n. Some other problems have thi

Question 67698This question is from textbook
: Thanks for responding to my question. I understand what you were doing but I am still confuse about where the other equation works in f(n)= f(n-1)+n. Some other problems have this equation changing. ie: f(n)= f(n-2) + f(n-1) and f(0)=1
Kate This question is from textbook

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am still confuse about where the other equation works in f(n)= f(n-1)+n. Some other problems have this equation changing. ie: f(n)= f(n-2) + f(n-1) and f(0)=1
-----------
f(n)=f(n-1)+n is the RULE for generating each term after the 1st term.
You were told f(1)=3 so you have the 1st term,
The next term is designated f(2).
The RULE tells you
f(2)=f(1)+2
f(2)=3+2
f(2)=5
---------
Now you can generate f(3)
The RULE tells you f(3)=f(3-1)+2 = f(2)+2
f(3)=5+2
f(3)=7
etc.
-------------
Some RULES require you to use more than just the last term to generate
the next term. You have given an example of that in the following RULE:
f(n)= f(n-2) + f(n-1) and f(0)=1
The RULE require you to know not only the last term of the sequence;
you also must know the term before the last one.
f(n-1) is the last term you generated
f(n-2) is the term before that.
-------
If the RULE is f(n)= f(n-2) + f(n-1) and f(0)=1
you would also have to know f(1) in order to get started
f(2) would then be:
f(2) = f(0)+f(1)
You have f(0)=1 but you did not post f(1).
Maybe you have it but did not include it.
Email me if you want to further discuss these recursive problems.
Cheers,
Stan H.

RELATED QUESTIONS
hi tutor! may you please help me with this complicated question. I already saw an answer... (answered by solver91311)

Here is the question on my quiz sheet- Find the slopes of the lines that are (a)... (answered by elima)

I am stuck on a question about exponential expressions and the order of operations. I... (answered by jim_thompson5910)

Hi there, This is my question: State how many solutions exist for each set of equations... (answered by scott8148)

Hello, how would you solve a linear inequality? I understand part of it, but I am still... (answered by josgarithmetic)

I am struggling to answer this, I've used my school's textbook and other sites and still... (answered by jim_thompson5910,josgarithmetic)

Hi, I am learning about multiple-step equation in school and i am in Algebra-1. I was... (answered by rapaljer)

Hello, I am a student who is in Grade 11 and in Mathematics Grade 11 Foundations. We... (answered by mouk)

My question is about functions of standard angles. The question is; Find... (answered by Theo)