Recursion Example Four
Defining Rule

t1 = 2

t2 = 3

t3 = 1

tn = tn-3 x tn-2 x tn-1


Generating the Sequence

Knowing that the first term is two, the second term is three and the third term is one (t1 = 2, t2 = 3 and t3 = 1), calculate the value of the fourth term (t4)

Since we need to calculate t4, substitute n = 4 into the fourth part of the recursive rule (tn = tn-3 x tn-2 x tn-1)


      t(4) = t(4)-3 x t(4)-2 x t(4)-1

      t4 = t1 x t2 x t3                  (But it is known that t1 = 2, t2 = 3 and t3 = 1)

      t4 = (2)(3)(1)

      t4 = 6


Repeat this process to find t5.

Knowing that the first four terms are two, three, one and six (t1 = 2, t2 = 3, t3 = 1 and t4 = 6) calculate the value of the fifth term (t5)

Since we need to calculate t5, substitute n = 5 into the fourth part of the recursive rule (tn = tn-3 x tn-2 x tn-1)


      t(5) = t(5)-3 x t(5)-2 x t(5)-1

      t5 = t2 x t3 x t4                  (But it is known that t2 = 3 and t3 = 1 and it was calculated that t4 = 6)

      t5 = (3)(1)(6)

      t5 = 18


Repeat this process to find t6.

Knowing that the first five terms are two, three, one, six and eighteen (t1 = 2, t2 = 3, t3 = 1, t4 = 6 and t5 = 18) calculate the value of the sixth term (t6)

Since we need to calculate t6, substitute n = 6 into the fourth part of the recursive rule (tn = tn-3 x tn-2 x tn-1)


      t(6) = t(6)-3 x t(6)-2 x t(6)-1

      t6 = t3 x t4 x t5                  (But it is known that t3 = 1 and it was calculated that t4 = 6 and t5 = 18)

      t6 = (1)(6)(18)

      t6 = 108


Sequence: 2, 3, 1, 6, 18, 108, 11664, 22674816, . . .

Sequence: Starting with two, three and one, multiply three succesive terms of the sequence to determine the next term of the sequence.