College

The pattern of numbers below is an arithmetic sequence:

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

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 :

An arithmetic sequence is defined by a constant difference between consecutive terms. We are given the sequence:

[tex]$$
14,\,24,\,34,\,44,\,54,\,\ldots
$$[/tex]

Step 1. Identify the first term.
The first term is given by

[tex]$$
f(1) = 14.
$$[/tex]

Step 2. Calculate the common difference.
To find the common difference, subtract the first term from the second term:

[tex]$$
24 - 14 = 10.
$$[/tex]

So, the common difference is [tex]$10$[/tex].

Step 3. Write the recursive function.
An arithmetic sequence has the recursive form:

[tex]$$
f(n+1) = f(n) + \text{(common difference)}.
$$[/tex]

Substitute the known values:

[tex]$$
f(n+1) = f(n) + 10, \quad \text{where } f(1) = 14.
$$[/tex]

Step 4. Identify the correct statement.
Among the statements provided, the one that matches our recursive function is:

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

Thus, the correct answer is the statement numbered 3.