function notation: p(1)=1, p(2)=2, p(3)=3, p(x+1)=[p(x+1)...

[eking]

p(1) = 1; p(2) = 2; p(3) =3;

for x >= 3

p(x+1) = [p(x+2) * P(x-1) +1]/ p(x)

What is p(6) ?

I have tried to simplify. The given info yields the identity function y = x but this does not fit for any values other than x = 1.

I'm not sure how to determine what the function is.

Any help here?

 

[stapel]

I'm not sure what you mean by "simplifying"...? (Showing your work would have helped!)

Instead, try using the formula they gave you: Since 6 = 4 + 2, then, looking at the formula and letting x = 4, you have:

. . . . .p(4 + 1) = [p(4 + 2) p(4 - 1)] / p(4)

You have p(1), p(2), and p(3), and 4 = 2 + 2, so:

. . . . .p(2 + 1) = [p(2 + 2) p(2 - 1)] / p(2)

But 2 + 1 = 3 and 2 - 1 = 1, and you have the values for p(1), p(2), and p(3). So plug in the known values, solve for p(4), and then work backwards to find p(6).

Eliz.