Complete the Sequence Using Formula 2n-1: Finding Missing Terms

Question

Complete the sequence according to the rule 2n1 2n-1 .

._ , _ , 5 , 3 , 1

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Complete the sequence
00:06 Find the appropriate element positions
00:12 Substitute the element position in the sequence formula to find the element
00:16 Substitute N = 4 in the sequence formula
00:28 Always solve multiplication and division before addition and subtraction
00:31 This is the fourth element in the sequence
00:41 We'll use the same method to find the fifth element in the sequence
00:47 Substitute N = 4 in the sequence formula
00:56 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of completing the sequence using the rule 2n1 2n - 1 , follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize that each term in the sequence is represented by the formula 2n1 2n - 1 . The provided sequence is in reverse order: 5, 3, 1.
  • Step 2: Identify the value of n n that results in each of these terms.
    • For term 5: 2n1=5 2n - 1 = 5 implies 2n=6 2n = 6 , thus n=3 n = 3 .
    • For term 3: 2n1=3 2n - 1 = 3 implies 2n=4 2n = 4 , thus n=2 n = 2 .
    • For term 1: 2n1=1 2n - 1 = 1 implies 2n=2 2n = 2 , thus n=1 n = 1 .
  • Step 3: Consider the terms preceding the known sequence, calculating them for n=4 n = 4 and n=5 n = 5 :
    • For n=4 n = 4 , 2n1=241=7 2n - 1 = 2 \cdot 4 - 1 = 7 .
    • For n=5 n = 5 , 2n1=251=9 2n - 1 = 2 \cdot 5 - 1 = 9 .
  • Step 4: Identify the missing numbers to complete the sequence: 9 and 7 must be placed before the given sequence 5, 3, 1.

Therefore, the completed sequence, according to the rule 2n1 2n - 1 , is 9, 7, 5, 3, 1.

Answer

9 , 7