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Geometric Sequences: Geometric Sequence Geometric Progression

This document defines and provides examples of geometric sequences. A geometric sequence is one where each term is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number called the common ratio. The nth term of a geometric sequence with first term a1 and common ratio r is given by the formula an = a1 * r^n-1. The document provides two examples of writing formulas for the nth term and calculating the first few terms of geometric sequences. It then provides practice problems involving identifying if sequences are arithmetic, geometric, or neither and calculating specific terms of geometric sequences.

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Larra De Leon
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43 views

Geometric Sequences: Geometric Sequence Geometric Progression

This document defines and provides examples of geometric sequences. A geometric sequence is one where each term is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number called the common ratio. The nth term of a geometric sequence with first term a1 and common ratio r is given by the formula an = a1 * r^n-1. The document provides two examples of writing formulas for the nth term and calculating the first few terms of geometric sequences. It then provides practice problems involving identifying if sequences are arithmetic, geometric, or neither and calculating specific terms of geometric sequences.

Uploaded by

Larra De Leon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES

A sequence in which each term is obtained by


multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number is called a
geometric sequence or a geometric progression.

Formula for the nth Term of a Geometric Sequence


The nth term, 𝑎𝑛 , of a geometric sequence with first
term 𝑎1 and common ratio r is given by the formula:
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 . 𝑟 or 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 . 𝑟 𝑛−1

Example 1
Write a formula for the nth term of the given geometric
sequence.
1 1 1
8, 2, , , , …
2 8 32
SOLUTION:
1
Find the common ratio: 𝑟 = 2 ÷ 8 =
4
1
Since each term is of the term preceding it, the nth term is
4
1 𝑛−1
given by: 𝑎𝑛 = 8 ( )
4

1 1−1 1 2−1 1 3−1 1


Check: 𝑎1 = 8 ( ) =8 𝑎2 = 8 ( ) =2 𝑎3 = 8 ( ) =
4 4 4 2

Example 2
Write the first four terms of the geometric sequence whose
nth term s given by 𝑎𝑛 = 3(−5)𝑛−1 .
SOLUTION:
𝑎1 = 3(−5)1−1 𝑎2 = 3(−5)2−1 𝑎3 = 3(−5)3−1 𝑎4 = 3(−5)4−1
= 3(−5)0 = 3(−5)1 = 3(−5)2 = 3(−5)3
= 3(1) = 3(−5) = 3(25) = 3(−125)
=3 = −15 = 75 = −375
PRACTICE AND APPLICATION

I. State whether the given sequence is arithmetic,


geometric, or neither. If it is arithmetic, give the common
difference. If it is geometric, give the common ratio.
1. 11,14,17, 20,... 6.7, 10, 15, 22, 31,...
2. 4, 8, 16, 32,... 7. 1, -3, 5, -7,...
3. 5, 8, 12, 17, 26,... 8. 80, 40, 20, 10,...
4. 32, 28, 24, 20,... 9. 20, 30, 36, 42,...
5. 1, 8, 27, 64,... 10. 100, -50, 25, -12.5,...

II. Find the first five terms of each sequence and state
whether the given sequence is arithmetic, geometric, or
neither.
𝑛2 +2
11. 𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑛 + 8 13. 𝑎𝑛 = 5 . 2𝑛 15. 𝑎𝑛 =
𝑛

12. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑛2 + 2 14. 𝑎𝑛 = 4 − 7𝑛

III. Find the eighth and eleventh terms of each geometric


sequence.
1 1
16. 6, 18, 54, 162,... 18. 4, -8, 16, -32,... 20. , , 1, 2,...
4 2
1 1
17. 5, 30, 180, 1080,... 19. 2, 1, , ,...
2 4

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