write the first five terms of the sequence defined by the recursive formula a_n = (5a_n-1) - 1, with a_1=0

a_1 = 0

a_2 = - 1

a_3 = - 6

a_4 = - 31

a_5 = - 156

Step-by-step explanation:

a_n = (5a_n-1) - 1

a_1 = 0

to find a2 substitute a1

a_2 = (5 * a_1) - 1

a_2 = 5 * 0 - 1

a_2 = 0-1

a_2 = - 1

to find a3 substitute a2

a_3 = (5 * a_2) - 1

a_3 = (5 * - 1) - 1

a_3 = - 5 - 1

a_3 = - 6

to find a4 substitute a3

a_4 = (5 * a_3) - 1

a_4 = (5 * - 6) - 1

a_4 = - 30 - 1

a_4 = - 31

to find a5 substitute a4

a_5 = (5 * a_4) - 1

a_5 = (5 * - 31) - 1

a_5 = - 155 - 1

a_5 = - 156