help

**bluffmaster.roy.007** · August 15th 2009, 01:27 AM

If $a_1 = 2$ and $a_{n+1} = (a_n - 1)^2$ , then find the value of $a_{17}$ ?

i got answer zero is it correct !

**mr fantastic** · August 15th 2009, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by bluffmaster.roy.007

If a1 = 2 and an+1=(an - 1)2, then find the value of a17?

i got answer zero is it correct !

If you show your working it will be easier to review your answer.

**bluffmaster.roy.007** · August 15th 2009, 01:38 AM

a1+1=a2=(2-1)^2 =1
a2+1=a3=(1-1)^2=0
so i thought it had a pattern and i think a17 must also be zero is my approach correct

**mr fantastic** · August 15th 2009, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by bluffmaster.roy.007

If $a_1 = 2$ and $a_{n+1} = (a_n - 1)^2$ , then find the value of $a_{17}$ ?

i got answer zero is it correct !

Yes (now that it's clear that the 2 in the expression was an exponent and not a multiplier).

Thread: help