If the nth term of a sequence is given by an = n2 – n+1, write down its first five terms.

Given,


an = n2 – n+1


We can find first five terms of this sequence by putting values of n from 1 to 5.


When n = 1:


a1 = (1)2 – 1 + 1


a1 = 1 – 1 + 1


a1 = 1


When n = 2:


a2 = (2)2 – 2 + 1


a2 = 4 – 2 + 1


a2 = 3


When n = 3:


a3 = (3)2 – 3 + 1


a3 = 9 – 3 + 1


a3 = 7


When n = 4:


a4 = (4)2 – 4 + 1


a4 = 16 – 4 + 1


a4 = 13


When n = 5:


a5 = (5)2 – 5 + 1


a5 = 25 – 5 + 1


a5 = 21


First five terms of the sequence are 1, 3, 7, 13, 21.


1