A sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ is defined by
a_n = k,
a_{n+1} = 3a_n + 5, \quad n > 1,
where $k$ is a positive integer - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 10 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 10
A sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ is defined by
a_n = k,
a_{n+1} = 3a_n + 5, \quad n > 1,
where $k$ is a positive integer.
(a) Write down an expression for... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A sequence $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots$ is defined by
a_n = k,
a_{n+1} = 3a_n + 5, \quad n > 1,
where $k$ is a positive integer - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 10 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
Write down an expression for $a_2$ in terms of $k$
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Answer
From the definition, we have:
a2=3a1+5=3k+5
Thus, an expression for a2 in terms of k is:
a2=3k+5
Step 2
Show that $a_3 = 9k + 20$
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Answer
To find a3, we use:
a3=3a2+5
Substituting a2=3k+5, we get:
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Answer
We find each term first:
a1=k
a2=3k+5
a3=9k+20 (shown above)
To find a4, we have:
a4=3a3+5=3(9k+20)+5=27k+60+5=27k+65
Now, we can calculate:
∑r=14ar=a1+a2+a3+a4
Substituting the values:
=k+(3k+5)+(9k+20)+(27k+65)=(40k+90)
Step 4
Show that $\sum_{r=1}^{4} a_r$ is divisible by 10
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Answer
We have:
∑r=14ar=40k+90
We can express this as:
=10(4k+9)
Since 4k+9 is an integer, it follows that 10(4k+9) is divisible by 10.