Function Rules From Data Practice Test

A sequence follows the pattern where each term after the first two is the sum of the two preceding terms multiplied by 2, minus 1. If $$a_1 = 1$$ and $$a_2 = 3$$, what is $$a_5$$?

A function $$f$$ satisfies the condition that $$f(x+1) = 3f(x) - 2$$ for all real numbers $$x$$. If $$f(0) = 4$$, what is $$f(3)$$?