The formula to calculate the nth term is:
\[ a(n) = \text{recursive formula} \]
Where:
Let's say the recursive formula is \( a(n) = a(n-1) + 2 \), the initial term (\( a(0) \)) is 1, and you want to find the 5th term. Using the formula:
\[ a(5) = a(4) + 2 = (a(3) + 2) + 2 = ((a(2) + 2) + 2) + 2 = (((a(1) + 2) + 2) + 2) + 2 = ((((a(0) + 2) + 2) + 2) + 2) + 2 = 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 11 \]
So, the 5th term is 11.
A recursive formula defines each term of a sequence using the previous term(s). It is commonly used in mathematics and computer science to solve problems that can be broken down into smaller, similar subproblems.