nurirachel wrote:
Calculate some terms to identify a pattern.
a3=a(3−1)−a(3−2)=a2−a1=4−(−5)=9
a4=a3−a2=9−4=5
a5=a4−a3=5−9=−4
a6=a5−a4=−4−5=−9
a7=a6−a5=−9−(−4)=−5
The first 6 terms are -5, 4, 9, 5, -4, -9 and its sum is 0. The pattern "resets" on the 7th term, i.e., equals the 1st term.
Thus, the sum of terms that are multiples of 6 is 0. I.e., the sum of the first 96 terms is also 0.
That leaves terms 97, 98, 99, and 100, which will be -5, 4, 9, and 5.
The sum of those 4 terms = -5 + 4 + 9 + 5 = 13
I would add that this is a recursive sequence. Sequences that follow patterns like that in the question stem should immediately make students think about iterative calculations to find a pattern.
While that's not in itself a formula, it's a great example of the GRE test makers giving students a clue to quickly find a solution.