The sequence is defined as
an = 3an - 1 + 7
This means that
a2 = 3(a(2 - 1) + 7
a2 = 3a1 + 7
From the information given ,
a1 = - 4
Thus,
a2 = 3 * - 4 + 7 = - 12 + 7
a2 = - 5
a3 = 3(a(3 - 1) + 7
a3 = 3a2 + 7
a3 = 3 * - 5 + 7 = - 15 + 7
a3 = - 8
a4 = 3(a(4 - 1) + 7
a4 = 3a3 + 7
a4 = 3 * - 8 + 7 = - 24 + 7
a4 = - 17
Thus, the first four terms of the sequence are
- 4, - 5, -
