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A geometric sequence is a sequence where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number called the common ratio. The common ratio (r) is the ratio between two consecutive terms. The general term of a geometric sequence is an = a1(rn-1), where a1 is the first term and n is the term number. This general term formula can be used to find specific terms, determine the number of terms in a finite sequence, or calculate the sum of terms for finite or infinite geometric sequences.

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50 views7 pages

M6l3notes1 PDF

A geometric sequence is a sequence where each term after the first is obtained by multiplying the preceding term by a fixed number called the common ratio. The common ratio (r) is the ratio between two consecutive terms. The general term of a geometric sequence is an = a1(rn-1), where a1 is the first term and n is the term number. This general term formula can be used to find specific terms, determine the number of terms in a finite sequence, or calculate the sum of terms for finite or infinite geometric sequences.

Uploaded by

Angel Mae Teves Alisbo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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6.3. Geometric sequence.

A sequence in which each term after the first is a constant multiple of the preceding term
is called a geometric sequence.

Definition of a Geometric Sequence:

A sequence is geometric if each term after the first is obtained by multiplying by a


nonzero fixed number (positive or negative) to the preceding term. The sequence,
a1, a2, a3,…, an, is geometric if there is a number r such that r = a2 ÷ a1, a3 ÷ a2,
and so on. The number r is called the common ratio.

Example: The sequence, 2, 6, 18, is geometric since the ratio between two adjacent terms
is always 3. That is, each term multiplied by 3 will yield the next term.

Example: The first five terms of a geometric sequence with a first term of 3 and a
common ratio −2 can be found as follows.

a1 = 3

a2 = 3 · (−2) = −6

a3 = (−6) · (−2) = 12

a4 = 12 · (−2) = −24

a5 = (−24) · (−2) = 48

Hence, the first five terms are: 3, −6, 12, −24, and 48.

Example: Find r for the sequence, 15, 15/3, 15/9, 15/27,….

r = a2 ÷ a1

r = (15/3) ÷ 15

r = 1/3.

The general term of a geometric sequence (an) with a first term of a1 and a common
ratio of r is an = a1(rn-1).

Example: The general term of the geometric sequence with a first term of −2 and a
common ratio of 3 is:

an = a1(rn-1)
an = −2(3)n-1

Example: To find the general term of the geometric sequence, −4, 8, begin by finding r, the common ratio.

r=a ÷a
2 1

r = 8 ÷ −4

r = −2.

Once r is found, use the formula for the general term.

a = a (rn-1)
n 1

a = −4(−2)n-1
n

Example: To find the eleventh term (a ) of the geometric sequence with a first term of 3 and a common ratio of −4,
11
one uses the general form:

a = a (rn-1)
n 1

a = 3(−4)11-1
11

a = 3(−4)10
11

a = 3(1,048,576)
11

a = 3,145,728.
11

Example: To find the seventh term (a ) of the geometric sequence with a first term of 6 and a third term of 54, one
7
uses the general form to first find r.

a = a (rn-1)
n 1

a = 6(r)3-1
3

54 = 6r2

r2 = 9

r = ±3.

Then one uses the general form to find a .


7
a = 6(±3)7-1
7

a = 6(±3)6
7

a = 6(729)
7

a = 4374.
7

Example: If a = 48 and a = −384, then to find a one must use the general form of a geometric sequence three
5 8 10
times.

a = a (r5-1)
5 1

48 = a (r4)
1

or

a (r4) = 48 (Equation 1).


1

a = a (r8-1)
8 1

−384 = a (r7)
1

or

a (r7) = −384 (Equation 2).


1

Now solving Equation 1 and Equation 2 by applying what was learned in module 5 (substitution method),
one determines that r = 2 and a = 3.
1

Now one has the necessary information to calculate a .


10

a = a (r10-1)
10 1

a = 3(2)9
10

a = 3(512)
10

a = 1536.
10

Example: To find the number of terms in the finite sequence, 4, 2,,1/16, one must use the general form with a = 1/16,
n
a = 4, and r = 2 ÷ 4 = 1/2.
1
1/16 = 4(1/2)n-1

1/64 = (1/2)n-1

1/64 = (1/2)n · (1/2)-1

1/128 = (1/2)n

n = 7.

Thus, there are a total of 7 terms in the given geometric sequence.

Note: The form for the general term of a geometric sequence can be very useful.

To find the sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence with first term a1, and
common ratio r, one may use the following formula:

Example: Find the sum of the first six terms of the geometric sequence with first term
−3and common ratio 4.

Note: Substitute n = 6, a1 = −3, and r = 4 into the formula for sum of the first n
terms of a geometric sequence.

Example: Find the sum of the first five terms of the geometric sequence, 1/3, 1/9, 1/27,.

Note: Begin by finding r by using the fact that r = a2 ÷ a1. Then use the formula
for sum with a1 = 1/3, and n = 5.

r = 1/9 ÷ 1/3 = 1/3.


Example: Evaluate:

Note: Begin by finding a1, and r. Then use the formula for sum with n = 7.

a1 = 4(2/5)1 = 8/5.

a2 = 4(2/5)2 = 16/25.

r = a2 ÷ a1 = 16/25 ÷ 8/5 = 2/5.

To find the sum of an infinite geometric sequence with first term a1, and common ratio
r, where 0 < r < 1 use the following formula:

If r > 1 or r < −1, then the sum does not exist.

Example: Find the sum of the infinite geometric sequence with a1 = 6 and r = 1/3.
Example: Evaluate:

Note: Begin by finding a1, and r. Then use the formula for the sum of an infinite
geometric sequence.

The formula for the sum of an infinite geometric sequence can also be used to change a
repeating decimal to a rational number.

Example: Change 1.414141… to a rational number.

Note: A number a.bcde… can be written as:

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