7-8 Recursive Formulas

Using Recursive Formulas A recursive formula allows you to find the nth term of a sequence by performing
operations on one or more of the terms that precede it.

Example: Find the first five terms of the sequence in which 𝒂𝟏 = 5 and 𝒂𝒏 = –2𝒂𝒏 − 𝟏+ 14, if n ≥ 2.

The given first term is a1 = 5. Use this term and the recursive formula to find the next four terms.
a1 = 5

𝑎2 = –2𝑎 −1 + 14 𝑎4 = –2𝑎 −1 + 14
= –2𝑎1 + 14 = –2𝑎3 + 14
= –2( 5 ) + 14 𝑎1 = 5 = –2( 6 ) + 14 𝑎3 = 6

=4 =2

𝑎3 = –2𝑎 −1 + 14 𝑎5 = –2𝑎 −1 + 14
= –2𝑎2 + 14 = –2𝑎4 + 14
= –2( 4 ) + 14 𝑎2 = 4 = –2( 2 ) + 14 𝑎4 = 2
= 6 = 10

The first five terms are 5, 4, 6, 2, and 10.

Exercises
Find the first five terms of each sequence. ( the first term is always given in the problem)
1. 𝑎1 = –4, 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑎𝑛 − 1 , n ≥ 2 2. 𝑎1 = 5, 𝑎𝑛 = 2𝑎𝑛 − 1 , n ≥ 2

10, 20, 40, 80, 160

-4, -12, -36, -108, -324

3. 𝑎1 = 8, 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 − 1 – 6, n ≥ 2 4. 𝑎1 = –32, 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 − 1 + 13, n ≥ 2

8, 2, -4, -10, -16 -31, -19, -6, 7, 20

5. 𝑎1 = 6, 𝑎𝑛 = –3𝑎𝑛 − 1 + 20, n ≥ 2 6. 𝑎1 = 16, 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 − 3, 𝑛 ≥ 2

16, 13, 10, 7, 4

6, 2, 14, -22, 86
 7-8 Recursive Formulas(continued)
Writing Recursive Formulas Complete the following steps to write a recursive formula for an arithmetic or geometric
sequence.
Step 1 Determine if the sequence is arithmetic or geometric by finding a common difference or a
common ratio.
Step 2 Write a recursive formula.
Arithmetic Sequences 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 − 1 + d, where d is the common difference
Geometric Sequences 𝑎𝑛 = r ・𝑎𝑛 − 1 , where r is the common ratio
Step 3
State the first term and the domain for n.

Example: Write a recursive formula for 216, 36, 6, 1, … .

Step 1 First subtract each term from the term that precedes it. There is no common difference.
216 – 36 = 180 36 − 6 = 30 6–1=5
Check for a common ratio by dividing each term by the term that precedes it.
36 1 6 1 1 1
=6 =6 =6
216 36 6
𝟏
There is a common ratio of . The sequence is Geometric. .
𝟔

Step 2 Use the formula for a geometric sequence.

𝑎𝑛 = r・𝑎𝑛 − 1 Recursive formula for geometric sequence
1 1
𝑎𝑛 = 6 𝑎𝑛 − 1 r=
6

Step 3 The first term 𝑎1 is 216 and n ≥ 2.

1
A recursive formula for the sequence is 𝑎1 = 216, 𝑎𝑛 = 6 𝑎𝑛 − 1 , n ≥ 2.

Exercises
Write a recursive formula for each sequence. (ALL answers will have 3 parts: 𝑎1 = ?, 𝑎𝑛 = ? , n ≥ 2)
1. 22, 16, 10, 4, … 2. –8, –3, 2, 7, … 3. 5, 15, 45, 135, …

A1 = 22, An = 5n - 13, n ≥ 2 A1 = 22, An = 5 * 3n - 1 , n ≥ 2

A1 = 22, An = -6n + 28, n ≥ 2

𝑎1 = 22, 𝑎𝑛 = _____________________, n ≥ 2

4. 243, 81, 27, 9, … 5. −3, 14, 31, 48, … 6. 1, 6, 11, 16, ...

5n - 4
17n - 20