College

The pattern of numbers below is an arithmetic sequence:



\[ 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, \ldots \]



Which statement describes the recursive function used to generate the sequence?



A. The common difference is 1, so the function is [tex]f(n+1)=f(n)+1[/tex] where [tex]f(1)=14[/tex].

B. The common difference is 4, so the function is [tex]f(n+1)=f(n)+4[/tex] where [tex]f(1)=10[/tex].

C. The common difference is 10, so the function is [tex]f(n+1)=f(n)+10[/tex] where [tex]f(1)=14[/tex].

D. The common difference is 14, so the function is [tex]f(n+1)=f(n)+14[/tex] where [tex]f(1)=10[/tex].

Answer :

We are given the sequence:

$$14,\ 24,\ 34,\ 44,\ 54,\ \ldots$$

and we need to determine the recursive function that generates this sequence.

**Step 1: Identify the first term**

The first term is:

$$f(1) = 14.$$

**Step 2: Determine the common difference**

The common difference is found by subtracting the first term from the second term. That is,

$$\text{Common difference} = 24 - 14 = 10.$$

**Step 3: Write the recursive function**

Since an arithmetic sequence with a common difference of $d$ is defined recursively by

$$f(n+1) = f(n) + d,$$

substituting the common difference $d = 10$, we have:

$$f(n+1) = f(n) + 10.$$

**Step 4: Verify the function**

Starting from $f(1) = 14$, the next term would be:

$$f(2) = f(1) + 10 = 14 + 10 = 24,$$

confirming that the function correctly reproduces the sequence.

Thus, the recursive function is described by:

$$\text{The common difference is 10, so the function is } f(n+1)=f(n)+10 \text{ where } f(1)=14.$$