Sequences as Functions: CCSS.Math.Content.HSF-IF.A.3 - Common Core: High School - Functions

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What is the twelfth term in the Fibonacci sequence,

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This question is testing ones ability to recognize sequences as functions. It is also testing the concept of what it means for a function to be recursive. Recall that a function is recursive when it requires the repeat process to find the next term in a sequence.

For the purpose of Common Core Standards, sequences fall within the Cluster A of the function and use of function notation concept (CCSS.Math.content.HSF-IF.A).

Knowing the standard and the concept for which it relates to, we can now do the step-by-step process to solve the problem in question.

Step 1: Identify the pattern of the given sequence.

The approach in this particular case.

I. Use the function notation for the Fibonacci sequence. Recalling that the Fibonacci sequence is defined as adding the current term with the previous term to result in the next term.

In mathematical terms this is,

for all

II. Continuing the pattern found, adding each term until the twelfth term is found.

Step 2: Continue the pattern to find the particular term.

For this particular case we have six terms of the sequence,

continuing the pattern results in the following.