Which is a recursive formula for the sequence [tex]99.4, 0, -99.4, -198.8[/tex], where [tex]f(1) = 99.4[/tex]?

A. [tex]f(n+1) = f(n) + 99.4, \, n \geq 1[/tex]
B. [tex]f(n+1) = f(n) - 99.4, \, n \geq 1[/tex]
C. [tex]f(n+1) = 99.4 f(n), \, n \geq 1[/tex]
D. [tex]f(n+1) = -99.4 f(n), \, n \geq 1[/tex]



Answer :

Let's analyze the given sequence [tex]\(99.4, 0, -99.4, -198.8\)[/tex] to determine the appropriate recursive formula. We will denote the [tex]\(n\)[/tex]-th term of the sequence by [tex]\(f(n)\)[/tex].

1. Given Information:
[tex]\[ f(1) = 99.4, f(2) = 0, f(3) = -99.4, f(4) = -198.8 \][/tex]

2. Identifying the Pattern:
Let's calculate the differences between consecutive terms to identify the pattern:
[tex]\[ \begin{aligned} f(2) - f(1) &= 0 - 99.4 = -99.4, \\ f(3) - f(2) &= -99.4 - 0 = -99.4, \\ f(4) - f(3) &= -198.8 - (-99.4) = -198.8 + 99.4 = -99.4. \end{aligned} \][/tex]

3. Formulating the Recursive Relation:
From the differences calculated above, we observe that the change between consecutive terms is consistent and equals [tex]\(-99.4\)[/tex]. This suggests a linear relationship between consecutive terms:
[tex]\[ f(n+1) = f(n) - 99.4 \quad \text{for} \quad n \geq 1 \][/tex]

4. Checking Options:
- Option 1: [tex]\( f(n+1) = f(n) + 99.4 \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{This does not fit because the differences are negative, not positive.} \][/tex]

- Option 2: [tex]\( f(n+1) = f(n) - 99.4 \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{This matches the observed pattern.} \][/tex]

- Option 3: [tex]\( f(n+1) = 99.4 f(n) \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{This does not fit because the terms are not proportional to each other by a factor of 99.4.} \][/tex]

- Option 4: [tex]\( f(n+1) = -99.4 f(n) \)[/tex]
[tex]\[ \text{This does not fit because the terms are not proportional to each other by a factor of -99.4.} \][/tex]

Therefore, the recursive formula that correctly represents the sequence is:
[tex]\[ f(n+1) = f(n) - 99.4 \quad \text{for} \quad n \geq 1 \][/tex]

Hence, the correct choice is:
[tex]\[ f(n+1) = f(n) - 99.4, \, n \geq 1 \][/tex]