SOLUTION: Please help me solve this: Find a rule for a general term for the sequence -1, 1/2, -1/3, 1/4, -1/5,...

Algebra ->  Sequences-and-series -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this: Find a rule for a general term for the sequence -1, 1/2, -1/3, 1/4, -1/5,...       Log On


   

Question 967404: Please help me solve this:
Find a rule for a general term for the sequence -1, 1/2, -1/3, 1/4, -1/5,...
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The general rule is %28%28-1%29%5En%29%2Fn

Basically it's 1%2Fn but we throw in %28-1%29%5En to have the terms alternate in sign.

Note: n is a positive integer (ie a whole number that starts at n = 1)

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Example: the third term is -1/3. Plug in n = 3 and you get...

%28%28-1%29%5En%29%2Fn+=+%28%28-1%29%5E3%29%2F3+=+-1%2F3

which matches with the third term given. Try other values of n to confirm the expression.