# Math Help - induction and recursion

1. ## induction and recursion

give a recursive definaition of the sequence { ${a_n}$} , n=1,2,3,...
a) $a_n = 1+(-1)^n$
b) $a_n = n(n+1)$
c) $a_n = n^2$
help me how to define them

2. (a)

The sequence alternates between $0$ and $2$ starting with $0.$ The sum of two consecutive terms is $2.$ Hence

$a_1=0,\quad a_{n+1}=2-a_n$

(b)

$a_1=2,\quad a_{n+1}=(n+1)(n+2)=n(n+1)\frac{n+2}n=a_n\frac{n+2} n$

(c)

I leave this one to you.

3. c) $a_n = a_n +2(n+1) -1 ,a_1=1$ is that correct?

4. Originally Posted by proscientia
(a)

The sequence alternates between $0$ and $2$ starting with $0.$ The sum of two consecutive terms is $2.$ Hence

$a_1=0,\quad a_{n+1}=2-a_n$

(b)

$a_1=2,\quad a_{n+1}=(n+1)(n+2)=n(n+1)\frac{n+2}n=a_n\frac{n+2} n$

(c)

I leave this one to you.
The idea is to remove all reference to $n$ except in subscripts from the expression. That is $a_n$ should depend on $a_{n-1},\ a_{n-2}, \ ...$ and not explicitly on n

CB

5. Originally Posted by zpwnchen
help me how to define them
See here

CB