An explicit formula isn't another name for an iterative formula. Even though they both find the same thing, they each work differently--they're NOT the same form.

Let's find an explicit formula for the sequence. Remember that we can represent a sequence whose first term is A and common difference is B with the standard explicit form A + B (n 1) . …

Sal finds explicit formulas of arithmetic sequences given the first few terms of those sequences. He also explores equivalent forms of such formulas.

This formula allows us to simply plug in the number of the term we are interested in to get the value of that term. In order to find the fifth term, for example, we need to plug n = 5 into the …

A recursive formula defines terms of a sequence in relation to the previous value. As opposed to an explicit formula, which defines it in relation to the term number.

Solve problems such as: The first four terms in an arithmetic sequence are 12, 5, -2, and -9. Find an explicit formula for the sequence.

Most of the time, explicit has more power, but for a few occasions such as the Fibonacci sequence, the recursive is more applicable. The explicit equation is closer to the slope …

2) If the first term is part of a larger series; like 3,9,27,81,243,729. The formula 3^n would make sense. Since the first number is n=1 (in math we often start at 1; in coding usually at 0), 3^1=3 …

This formula allows us to simply plug in the number of the term we are interested in to get the value of that term. In order to find the fifth term, for example, we need to plug n = 5 into the …

Sal is given an arithmetic sequence in explicit form and he converts it to recursive form. Then he does so the other way around!