Definition:Recursive Sequence/Initial Terms

Definition
Let $S$ be a recursive sequence.

In order for $S$ to be defined, it is necessary to define the initial term (or terms) explicitly.

For example, in the Fibonacci sequence, the initial terms are defined as:
 * $F_0 = 0, F_1 = 1$

Also see

 * Inductive Definition of Sequence for the justification of this definition.