what are the first four terms of the sequence represented by the expression n(n-2)-3
\(a_n=n(n-2)-3 \\ \\
a_1=1(1-2)-3=1 \times (-1)-3=-1-3=-4 \\
a_2=2(2-2)-3=2 \times 0-3=0-3=-3 \\
a_3=3(3-2)-3= 3 \times 1-3=3-3=0 \\
a_4=4(4-2)-3=4 \times 2 -3 =8-3 =5\)
The first four terms are -4, -3, 0, 5.
Answer:
As per the statement:
Given a sequence:
\(a_n = n(n-2)-3\)
where, n is the number of terms;
We have to find the first four terms of this sequence:
For n =1
\(a_1 = 1(1-2)-3 =1(-1)-3 = -1-3 = -4\)
⇒\(a_1 = -4\)
For n =2
\(a_2= 2(2-2)-3 =2(0)-3 = 0-3 = -3\)
⇒\(a_2 = -3\)
For n =3
\(a_3 = 3(3-2)-3 =3(1)-3 = 3-3 = 0\)
⇒\(a_3= 0\)
For n =4
\(a_4 = 4(4-2)-3 =4(2)-3 = 8-3 = 5\)
⇒\(a_4= 5\)
Therefore, the first four terms of the sequence are:
-4, -3, 0 , 5