document.write( "Question 196139: I am trying to find the explicit formula for the following sequence:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "In this problem, -2 1/2 corresponds to the term 1, -2 corresponds to the term 2, -1 1/2 corresponds to the term 3, and so on. I've been working on this problem for over an hour and have tried lots of different formulas, but none work. Please help.\r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #147029 by Edwin McCravy(20060)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Edwin's solution:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"a%5B1%5D=-2%261%2F2\", \"a%5B2%5D=-2\", \"a%5B3%5D=-1%261%2F2\", \"a%5B4%5D=-1\", \"a%5B5%5D=1%2F2\",...
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document.write( "It is an arithmetic sequence because obviously \"1%2F2\" is \r\n" );
document.write( "being added to each term to get the next term.  Therefore\r\n" );
document.write( "the common difference is \"d=1%2F2\".\r\n" );
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document.write( "The \"n\"th term of an arithmetic sequence is given by the\r\n" );
document.write( "formula:\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"a%5Bn%5D=a%5B1%5D%2B%28n-1%29d\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "So, upon substituting:\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"a%5Bn%5D=%28-2%261%2F2%29%2B%28n-1%29%281%2F2%29\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "Change the mixed fraction \"-2%261%2F2\" \r\n" );
document.write( "to the improper fraction \"-5%2F2\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"a%5Bn%5D=-5%2F2%2B%28n-1%29%281%2F2%29\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply through by 2 to clear of fractions:\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"2a%5Bn%5D=-5%2B%28n-1%29%2A1\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"2a%5Bn%5D=-5%2Bn-1\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"2a%5Bn%5D=n-6\"\r\n" );
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document.write( "Divide both sides by 2\r\n" );
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document.write( "\"a%5Bn%5D=%28n-6%29%2F2\" \r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin
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