SOLUTION: what is the nth term of -1,1,-1,1-1....

Algebra ->  Sequences-and-series -> SOLUTION: what is the nth term of -1,1,-1,1-1....      Log On


   



Question 1195985: what is the nth term of -1,1,-1,1-1....
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, math_tutor2020:
Answer by ikleyn(52788) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

If we do not make special assumption/assumptions, then the n-th term can be any number, at n > 5.



Answer by math_tutor2020(3817) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The nth term is %28-1%29%5En assuming the pattern of {-1, 1, -1, 1, ...} repeats like that forever.

n = 1, %28-1%29%5En+=+%28-1%29%5E1+=+-1
n = 2, %28-1%29%5En+=+%28-1%29%5E2+=+%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29+=+1
n = 3, %28-1%29%5En+=+%28-1%29%5E3+=+%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29+=+-1
n = 4, %28-1%29%5En+=+%28-1%29%5E4+=+%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29%2A%28-1%29+=+1
And so on.