Let's list a few terms....
term1 = 3
term2 = 5
term3 = (term2)(term1) = (5)(3) = 15 (term2)(term1)
term4 = (term3)(term2)(term1) = (15)(5)(3) = 15²
term5 = (term4)(term3)(term2)(term1) = (15²)(15)(5)(3) = 15⁴
term6 = (term5)(term4)(term3)(term2)(term1) = (15⁴)(15²)(15)(5)(3) = 15⁸

At this point, we can see the pattern.

Continuing, we get....
term7 = 15^16
term8 = 15^32

Each term in the sequence is equal to the SQUARE of term before it

If term_n =t and n > 2, what is the value of term_n+2 in terms of t?
So, term_n = t
term_n+1 = t²
term_n+2 = t⁴

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent
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IMO D

An=t so that means product from A1 to An-1 is t. therefore An+1 = A1x.....An-1 x An=txt= t^2
proceeding in same way An+2 will be t^4

Given \(a_n = t\)
This means \(a_1 * a_2 * a_3* ..... a_{n-1} = t\)

Therefore \(a_{n+1} = (a_1 * a_2 * a_3* ..... a_{n-1}) * (a_n) = t*t = t^2\)

and \(a_{n+2} = (a_1 * a_2 * a_3* ..... a_{n-1}) * (a_n) * (a_{n+1}) = t*t*t^2 = t^4\)

Answer = \(D\)

Say n = 3 [given n>2]. Hence we must find value of a5

a1 = 3,
a2 = 5,
a3 = 5*3 = 15 = t [an = t given]
a4 = 15*15
a5= 15*15*15*15 = t^4
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Sortem sternit fortem!

We are given a sequence in which every term in the sequence after a(2) is the product of all terms in the sequence preceding it. So:

a(n+1) = a(n) x a(n-1) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

By the same reasoning, we have:

a(n) = a(n-1) x a(n-2) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

We can substitute a(n-1) x... x a(2) x a(1) in the a(n+1) equation for a(n), so we have a(n+1) = a(n) x a(n).

However, recall that a(n) = t, so a(n+1) = t x t = t^2. By the same reasoning, we have:

a(n+2) = a(n+1) x a(n) x a(n-1) x ... x a(2) x a(1)

However, a(n) x a(n-1) x .... x a(2) x a(1) = a(n+1) and a(n+1) = t^2, so:

a(n+2) = a(n+1) x a(n+1) = t^2 x t^2 = t^4

Answer: D
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Bunuel - can I call the above mentioned problem as a recursive sequence ? I know this formula An= n1+(n-1)*d but could not apply it here.

let n = 3. \(a_3 = a_n = a_1*a_2 = t\)
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Hello pushpitkc, hope you are having an awesome gmat weekend

i have a few questons regarding the above solution, so let me break it down in into following clauses

1.) it says "Say n = 3 [given n>2]. Hence we must find value of a5" my question what does \(n\) mean is it the last term ? based on which rule do we concude " If n = 3 [given n>2]. Hence we must find value of \(a_5\) i mean why if n = 3 then we need to find \(a_5\) and not for example \(a_6\) ?


2.) if \(a_3 = a_1*a_2 = 3*5 = 15\), then to find \(a_4\) we need to perform following \(a_1*a_2*a_3 = 3*5*15 = 225\)

and following this logic in order to find \(a_5\)we need to do this \(a_1*a_2*a_3*a_4 = 3*5*15*225 = 3375\)

i cant understand why in the solution above to find \(a_5\) we multiply by the same numbers \(a_5= 15*15*15*15 = t^4\), to find the next term shoudlnt we mupltiply by all previous terms

3.) Also based on this solution \(a_5= 15*15*15*15 = t^4\) why the correct answer is \(t^4\) because there are FOUR numbers 15 ? but there could be infinite NUMBERS of 15

And the last question is it geometric sequence question ?

many thanks for taking time to explain

enjoy the weekend

Hey EMPOWERMathExpert i have been waiting for your explanation for many years:-) what took you so long welcome to Club of forever students