Discovering the Formula for a Repeating Sequence

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving a formula for the repeating sequence (13, 3, 13, 3...). The user initially struggled to find a straightforward formula but ultimately proposed the formula A_n = 8 + 5*(-1)^(n+1) to represent the sequence. This formula effectively captures the alternating pattern of the sequence, with 13 and 3 as the two distinct values. The solution demonstrates a clear understanding of alternating sequences and the use of the n variable to maintain the pattern.

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SciSteve
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I have to find a formula for the general term of An for this sequence assuming that the pattern follows and continues. (13,3,13,3...)
I don't think there's any straightforward formulas to use for sequences and series' in finding a formula.
My attempt involved finding two numbers that add to 13 and subtract to 3 which is 8 and 5, but what I'm stuck on is inserting the n variable so that the pattern will keep repeating 13,3,13,3..so on. Totally lost on how to do it and it doesn't even seem that hard.
 
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Try A_n = 8 + 5*(-1)^(n+1).
 
figured it out thanks for the tip
 

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