SOLUTION: Write the first 5 terms of the sequence: a_(1)=1 a_(2)=0 a_(n)= a_(n-1)-a_(n-2) For a_(3) I got -1 but when I try solving for a_(4) I get -1 again, and for a_(5) I get 2.

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: Write the first 5 terms of the sequence: a_(1)=1 a_(2)=0 a_(n)= a_(n-1)-a_(n-2) For a_(3) I got -1 but when I try solving for a_(4) I get -1 again, and for a_(5) I get 2.       Log On

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Question 1108733: Write the first 5 terms of the sequence:
a_(1)=1
a_(2)=0
a_(n)= a_(n-1)-a_(n-2)
For a_(3) I got -1 but when I try solving for a_(4) I get -1 again, and for a_(5) I get 2.
Key:
a_(#) in words means "a sub #".

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


You should be able to see your mistake if you look at the work you did. Or maybe it would be better to start over on the problem. Often if you make a mistake and try to find it by looking at the work you did, you automatically make the same mistake again.

Here is what you show:
a(1) = 1
a(2) = 0
a(3) = a(2)-a(1) = 0-1 = -1 (looks good)
a(4) = a(3)-a(2) = -1-0 = -1 (still looks good)
a(5) = a(4)-a(3) = -1-(-1) = 2 (how about that one -- does it still look good to you?)