SOLUTION: In a sequence, each term after the second is the sum of the two preceding terms. The first and fifth terms are each 3. What is the second term in the sequence?

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Question 888598: In a sequence, each term after the second is the sum of the two preceding terms. The first and fifth terms are each 3. What is the second term in the sequence?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054) About Me  (Show Source):
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In a sequence, each term after the second is the sum of the two preceding terms. The first and fifth terms are each 3. What is the second term in the sequence
1st term = 3
2nd term = a
3rd term = 1st term + 2nd term = 3+a
4th term = 2nd term + 3rd term = a+(3+a) = a+3+a = 2a+3
5th term = 3rd term + 4th term = (3+a)+(2a+3) = 3+a+2a+3 = 3a+6, given = 3

So we have equation 3a+6 = 3
                      3a = -3
                       a = -1 

1st term = 3
2nd term = a = -1

Edwin