SOLUTION: Find the first three terms of the geometric sequence defined by: a1 = −2; an = 3an − 1

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Question 809728: Find the first three terms of the geometric sequence defined by: a1 = −2; an = 3an − 1
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
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an = 3an - 1

a2 = 3a(2 - 1)

a2 = 3a1

a2 = 3(-2)

a2 = -6


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an = 3an - 1

a3 = 3a(3 - 1)

a3 = 3a2

a3 = 3(-6)

a3 = -18

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Summary:

a1 = -2
a2 = -6
a3 = -18


First three terms are: -2, -6, -18