Problem 135
Question
Write the first five terms of the sequence. $$a_{n}=\frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2 n+1}}{2 n+1}$$
Step-by-Step Solution
Verified Answer
The first five terms of the sequence are \(a_{1} = -x^3\), \(a_{2} = \frac{x^5}{5}\), \(a_{3} = -\frac{x^7}{7}\), \(a_{4} = \frac{x^9}{9}\), and \(a_{5} = -\frac{x^{11}}{11}\).
1Step 1: Finding the 1st term
Substitute \(n = 1\) into the formula: \(a_{1}=\frac{(-1)^{1} x^{2 \cdot 1+1}}{2 \cdot 1+1}\) which simplifies to \(a_{1} = -x^3\).
2Step 2: Finding the 2nd term
Substitute \(n = 2\) into the formula: \(a_{2}=\frac{(-1)^{2} x^{2 \cdot 2+1}}{2 \cdot 2+1}\) which simplifies to \(a_{2} = \frac{x^5}{5}\).
3Step 3: Finding the 3rd term
Substitute \(n = 3\) into the formula: \(a_{3}=\frac{(-1)^{3} x^{2 \cdot 3+1}}{2 \cdot 3+1}\) which simplifies to \(a_{3} = -\frac{x^7}{7}\).
4Step 4: Finding the 4th term
Substitute \(n = 4\) into the formula: \(a_{4}=\frac{(-1)^{4} x^{2 \cdot 4+1}}{2 \cdot 4+1}\) which simplifies to \(a_{4} = \frac{x^9}{9}\).
5Step 5: Finding the 5th term
Substitute \(n = 5\) into the formula: \(a_{5}=\frac{(-1)^{5} x^{2 \cdot 5+1}}{2 \cdot 5+1}\) which simplifies to \(a_{5} = -\frac{x^{11}}{11}\).
Key Concepts
Sequence TermsAlgebraic ExpressionsSubstitution Method
Sequence Terms
A sequence in mathematics is a list of numbers or objects in a specific order. Each individual number in a sequence is known as a term. In algebraic sequences, the terms follow a defined pattern based on a general formula, often involving the term's position in the sequence, represented by the variable 'n'.
For example, in the given exercise, the sequence is defined by the algebraic formula \( a_{n} = \frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2n + 1}}{2n + 1} \) where \( a_n \) represents the nth term of the sequence. The formula encapsulates a rule that tells us how to calculate terms of the sequence given their position, 'n'. By substituting different values of 'n' into the formula, students can find the specific terms in the sequence.
For example, in the given exercise, the sequence is defined by the algebraic formula \( a_{n} = \frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2n + 1}}{2n + 1} \) where \( a_n \) represents the nth term of the sequence. The formula encapsulates a rule that tells us how to calculate terms of the sequence given their position, 'n'. By substituting different values of 'n' into the formula, students can find the specific terms in the sequence.
Algebraic Expressions
An algebraic expression is a mathematical phrase that can contain ordinary numbers, variables, and operators (such as add, subtract, multiply, and divide). In an algebraic expression, variables represent unknown values and are often used to express general relationships between numbers. The expression may be as simple as \( x + 1 \) or as complex as \( \frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2n + 1}}{2n + 1} \).
Algebraic expressions are utilized to create formulas that can solve problems or represent patterns. The given sequence formula \( a_{n} = \frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2n + 1}}{2n + 1} \) is an example of an algebraic expression where the patterns in the sequence are encapsulated in an expression using exponentiation, multiplication, and division, alongside the variable 'x' and sequence position 'n'.
Algebraic expressions are utilized to create formulas that can solve problems or represent patterns. The given sequence formula \( a_{n} = \frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2n + 1}}{2n + 1} \) is an example of an algebraic expression where the patterns in the sequence are encapsulated in an expression using exponentiation, multiplication, and division, alongside the variable 'x' and sequence position 'n'.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a fundamental technique used in algebra, where we replace a variable with a given value or expression. This method is often essential for simplifying expressions, solving equations, and finding the terms of a sequence.
In the context of sequences, the substitution method involves replacing the position variable, 'n', with actual integers to find the specific terms of the sequence. The step-by-step solution provided shows this process distinctly for the first five terms of the sequence. By consecutively substituting \( n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 \) into the original formula, we get the respective terms, which enables us to predict future terms and understand the sequence's behavior.
In the context of sequences, the substitution method involves replacing the position variable, 'n', with actual integers to find the specific terms of the sequence. The step-by-step solution provided shows this process distinctly for the first five terms of the sequence. By consecutively substituting \( n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 \) into the original formula, we get the respective terms, which enables us to predict future terms and understand the sequence's behavior.
Other exercises in this chapter
Problem 129
Let $$a_{n}=\frac{(1+\sqrt{5})^{n}-(1-\sqrt{5})^{n}}{2^{n} \sqrt{5}}$$ be a sequence with \(n\) th term \(a_{n}\). Use the table feature of a graphing utility t
View solution Problem 131
Let $$a_{n}=\frac{(1+\sqrt{5})^{n}-(1-\sqrt{5})^{n}}{2^{n} \sqrt{5}}$$ be a sequence with \(n\) th term \(a_{n}\). Find expressions for \(a_{n+1}\) and \(a_{n+2
View solution Problem 136
Write the first five terms of the sequence. $$a_{n}=\frac{(-1)^{n} x^{n+1}}{n+1}$$
View solution Problem 137
Write the first five terms of the sequence. $$a_{n}=\frac{(-1)^{n} x^{2 n}}{(2 n) !}$$
View solution