Exercise · ZW-RECURRENCE-RELATION-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

If \(a_0=3\) and \(a_n=2a_{n-1}\), which is a formula for \(a_n\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(a_n=3\cdot2^n\)

Explanation

Each step multiplies by 2, so \(a_n=3\cdot2^n\); check by induction. No other option gives \(a_1=6\) and \(a_2=12\).

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Review the concept: Recurrence relation

A recurrence relation is an equation that expresses each term \(a_n\) of a sequence in terms of the previous \(k\) terms; with initial values, it determines the whole sequence.

\[a_n=f(a_{n-1},a_{n-2},\dots,a_{n-k})\]

More practice problems: recurrence relation

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