College

If [tex]f(n) = f(n-1) + 5[/tex] and [tex]f(1) = -2[/tex], then what is [tex]f(20)[/tex]?

1. 93
2. 98
3. 102
4. 115

Answer :

To solve this problem, we need to find the value of [tex]\( f(20) \)[/tex] based on the given recurrence relation and initial condition:

1. Identify the recurrence relation:
The function is defined as [tex]\( f(n) = f(n-1) + 5 \)[/tex].

2. Initial condition:
We know that [tex]\( f(1) = -2 \)[/tex].

3. Find [tex]\( f(20) \)[/tex]:
We can calculate [tex]\( f(n) \)[/tex] by iteratively applying the recurrence relation starting from [tex]\( f(1) \)[/tex].

Instead of calculating each term one by one, we can notice that the relation is an arithmetic sequence where each term is increased by 5 from the previous one. The general formula for an arithmetic sequence can be expressed as:
[tex]\[
f(n) = f(1) + (n-1) \times 5
\][/tex]

4. Substitute into the formula:
Plug in [tex]\( n = 20 \)[/tex] into the formula, using the known value of [tex]\( f(1) \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
f(20) = -2 + (20-1) \times 5
\][/tex]

5. Perform the calculation:
[tex]\[
f(20) = -2 + 19 \times 5
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
f(20) = -2 + 95
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
f(20) = 93
\][/tex]

Therefore, the value of [tex]\( f(20) \)[/tex] is 93. So, the correct answer is option (1) 93.