4

DETERMINING GEOMETRIC MEANS,

nth TERM OF A GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE
AND SUM OF THE TERMS OF A GIVEN
FINITE OR INFINITE SEQUENCE
for Mathematics Grade 10
Quarter 1/Week 4

1
 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit (SLK) in Mathematics 10 is prepared to help

students develop their skills in determining the geometric means, nth
term of a geometric sequence and sum of the terms of a given finite
or infinite sequence.

The activities in this SLK will help them improve their knowledge
about the said learning competency which will be useful in real-life
situations.

This SLK is divided into three parts. These are:

A. What Happened: This part will arouse students’ interest and

curiosity wherein they will answer activities that are new to them. This
will also measure how far they know about the topic.

B. What You Need to Know: This part is where the discussion and
explanation of the learning competency takes place.

C. What Have I Learned: This part will measure how much did you
learned about the learning competency determines the geometric
mean/s and nth term of a geometric sequence.

At the end of this SLK, students are expected to gain knowledge

and develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills that will
be applied in their respective lives.

2
Lesson 1: Determining the nth Term of a Geometric
Sequence
OBJECTIVES:

• Defines a geometric mean in geometric sequence

• Determines the geometric mean and the nth of a given
geometric sequence
• Displays accuracy in determining the geometric mean/s
and the nth of geometric sequence.

LEARNING COMPTENCIES:

Determines geometric means, nth term of a

geometric sequence and sum of the terms
of a given finite or infinite sequence.

I. WHAT HAPPENED
PRE-ACTIVITIES:

A. Remember Me?: Determine if each of the following is an

arithmetic, geometric, or neither. Write GS if it is geometric, AS of
if it is arithmetic, and N if neither. Write your answers in your
notebook.

___________1. 11, 14, 17, 20, ...

___________2. 5, 8, 12, 17, 26, …
___________3. 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
___________4. 80, 40, 20,10, ...
___________5. 34, 30, 26, 22, …

3
B. First or Common?: Identify the first term and the
common ratio of the following geometric sequences.
Select your answers among the petals.

a1 = 5
r = -2

a1 = 5 a1 = 80
r=6 r=½

a1 = 2
r = -2

1. 80, 40, 20, 10, 5

2. 5, 30, 180, 1080, . . .
3. 5, -10, 20, -40, . . .
4. 2, -4, 8, -16, 32, -64

4
 PRE-TEST:

Direction: Answer the following. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. Insert two geometric means between 7 and 875.

A. 35 and 175 C. 28 and 39
B. 40 and 175 D. 55 and 375

2. Find the geometric mean between 7 and 63.

A. ±35 C. ±21
B. ±20 D. ±45

3. Find the 7th term of the geometric sequence whose first

term is 3 and common ratio 5.
A. 57864 C. 573423
B. 46875 D. 234375

4. Find the 6th term of the geometric sequence whose first

term is 4 and common ratio -1/2 .
1 1
A. − 8 C. 8

1 1
B. 3
D. − 3

1
5. The geometric mean between 9 and 9 is

A. 0 C. 2
B. 3 D. 1

5
II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Geometric Means

Inserting a certain number of terms between two given terms of a

geometric sequence is an interesting activity in studying geometric
sequences. In general, the terms between any two nonsuccessive
terms in a geometric sequence are called geometric means. If the
numbers a1, a2, a3, …, an form a geometric sequence, the numbers a2,
a3, …, an-1 are called geometric means between a1 and an.
Remember:
A geometric mean is a number inserted between two given
numbers so that the terms form a geometric sequence.
Let m be a geometric mean between two numbers a and b, so that
a, m, b form a geometric sequence. Then,
; m2 = ab; m =

Therefore, the geometric mean between two nonsuccessive terms

is the square root of the product of the two terms.
Illustrative Examples:
A. Find the geometric mean between 3 and 12.
Solution:
m2 = 36
m=
The geometric mean between 3 and 12 is 6, since 3,6, 12 forms a
geometric sequence.

B. Insert two geometric means between 3 and 192.

Solution: a1 = 3; n = 4; a4 = 192
Formula: an = a1rn-1
192 = 3r4-1
192 = 3r3
r3 = 64
r3 = 43
r = 4
Two geometric means between 3 and 192 are 12 and 48.
The geometric sequence is 3, 12, 48, 192.

6
 Finding the nth Term of a Geometric Sequence

Given the first term and the common ratio in a geometric sequence, the
nth term can be found using the formula an = a1r n-1
Remember:
The nth term can be found using the formula an = a1r n-1
where:
a1 = the first term
a1 = the last term
n = the number of terms
r = the constant ratio

Illustrative Examples:
A. Find the 10th term of the geometric sequence 2, 4, 8, …
Solution: a1 = 2; r = 2; n = 10

an = a1r n-1
a10 = 2(2)10-1
= 2(2)9
= 1024 – the 10th term

B. Find r in a geometric sequence if the first term is and the eight term is

Solution: a1 = ; n = 4; a8 =
Formula: an = a1rn-1

= r8-1

= r7
r7 = 128
r=2

7
 III. WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

DID YOU KNOW? The world’s largest fish can grow up to 40 feet long
and weigh an average of 20 tons. They are carnivorous, but they aren’t
likely to take a nibble out of an unwary surfer – they filter plankton through
their enormous mouths while swimming at the surface. In fact, they are so
friendly that people often swim with them.
To find out its name, answer the following problems on geometric
sequence.
DIRECTION: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write your answers
in your notebook.

8
 What is the World’s Most Expensive Dog Breed?
Find the indicated term of each geometric sequence to find out. Cross out
the dogs that contain an answer. The remaining dogs will spell out the name of
the world’s most expensive dog breeds, which cause around US$14, 000.
OMG!(http://prudentpet.com)

1. a1 = 7, r = 3, a10 = ? 4. a1 = 10, r = 5, a7 = ?
2. a1 = 6, r = ½ , a9 = ? 5. a1 = 5, r = 4, a5 = ?
3. a1 = 15, r = 0.5, a7 = ?

I. 156,250 S.128/3 B. 0.23

A. 45 M. 250,156 C. 137, 781

O. 165,025 Y. 413, 343 F. 3/128

E. 25/64 X. 1280 D. 45

9
 HELP ME!
My cat is lost in the woods. Please help her find her way
home by finding the geometric means or the nth term
of a geometric sequence.

START
Three geometric 8th term of
7th term of mean between
64 20, 30,40 8, 16/3, 4, . . .
2,4,8,… 16 and 81

24,
128
36,
243
128 54

Two geometric 5th term of 9/2 Geometric

means between 16, -8 mean between
2/3, 1, 3/2,… 5 and 180
-32 and 4

27/8 30
-16, 8

4th term of Geometric

9th term of
7,21,63,… mean between ± 8/3
1/3 and 64/3
2, 2√2, 4, . . .

189 9 32

Four geometric 6th term of

means between ½, 1, 2, 4, . . .
5 and -160
-10, 20, -40, 80
16 FINISH

10
Lesson 2: The Sum of Terms in a Given Finite or Infinite
Geometric Sequence

OBJECTIVES:

• explain how to find the sum of the terms of a given

finite or infinite geometric sequence
• illustrate how to find the sum of the terms of a given
finite or infinite geometric sequence
• show the value of accuracy in doing one’s work.

I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-TEST:
A. Find the sum of the first n terms of the given geometric
sequence. Write your answer in your notebook.
1. 2, 6, 18, ... n=5 ___________
27
2. 12, 9, 4 , ... n=8 ___________

B. Find the sum to infinity of the following geometric sequences.

Write your answer in your notebook.
4
1. 3, 2, 3, …

1 1
2. - 4, 32

C. Find an equivalent fraction for the repeating decimal. Write

your answer in your notebook.
1. 0.888 …

2. 0.166 …

3. 0. 333 …

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II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW?

Geometric Series

Many schools set up a cell phone brigade to notify students when

classes are suspended due to a typhoon or flood. Suppose a school set up
cell phone tree so that each student (except those in the last level of the
tree) calls tree students. The first three levels of the tree look like the one
below.

The first five terms of the sequence for the number of students at each
level of the tree are 1, 3, 9, 27, and 81. The sequence is geometric sequence
with a common ratio 3.
To get the number of students informed up to the seventh level, we
use the formula an = 1(3)n-1 and then add.
Thus,
a6= 1(3)6-1 = 1(3)5 = 243 ; a7= 1(3)7-1 = 1(3)6 = 729 and
a1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a 5 + a 6 + a 7
= 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 + 243 + 729
= 1093
The sum of a geometric sequence is called geometric series. The
same sum can be found without actually adding all the items.

12
Finding the Sum of the Term of a Finite Geometric Sequence
A sequence is said to be finite if it has a first term and a last term.
The formula for the sum of the first n terms in a finite geometric sequence
is
𝑎1 − 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛 𝑎1 (1− 𝑟 𝑛)
𝑆𝑛 = or 𝑆𝑛 =
1−𝑟 1−𝑟

Where
Sn – the sum n – number of terms
a1 – the first term r – constant ration, r ≠ 1

Example 1: Find the sum of the geometric sequence

4 8 16 32 64
2, 3 , 9 , 27 , 81 , 243
Solution:
2
a1 = 2, r = 3 , n = 6

𝑎1 − 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 1−𝑟

2
2−2( )6
3
𝑆6 = 2
1−
3

128 1330
2− 3990 1330
729 729
𝑆6 = 1 = 1 = =
729 243
3 3
5 5
Example 2: Find the sum of the geometric sequence 40, -20, 10, -5, 2, -4.
Solution:
1
a1 = 40, r = - 2 , n = 6

𝑎1 − 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = 1−𝑟

1
40−40(− )6
2
𝑆6 = 1
1−(− )
2

5 315
40− 8 315 105
8
𝑆6 = 3 = 3 = =
2 12 4
2

13
 Finding the Sum of the Term of an Infinite Geometric Sequence

A sequence is said to be infinite if it has a first term but no last term, that is, it is
“endless”.
The sum of the terms of an infinite geometric sequence with first term a and
common ratio r, where │r│< 1, is

a1  1 
S = a1  
1− r or
S
=  1 − r 

Example 1. Find the sum to infinity of the geometric sequence with a

1
= 5 and r = - 3 .
Solution: Substituting the given values to the formula above, the sum is
a1 5
=
1− r 1
1 − (− )
Sα = 3

5 5
= =
1 4
1+
3 3
4 3
=5 =5
3 4
15
=
4
5 5
, ,....
Example 2. Find the sum to infinity of the geometric sequence 20, 5, 4 16
1 a
S = 1
Solution: The common ratio is 4 and a1= 20. Substituting in the formula 1− r
20 20
S = =
1 3
1−
4 4
3 4
= 20 ÷ 4 = 20.3

80
= 3

14
 For the next example, the second form of the formula will be used.

1 1 1
, , ,...
Example 3. Find the sum to infinity of the geometric sequence 3 9 27
1 1
Solution: Substituting in the second form of the formula where a1= 3 and r = 3 ,
then
 1 
a1  
= 1− r 
S

 
1
 1   
 = 1 1  = 1 2
1  
3 1 3 2 
  3 3
1−   3
=  3

1 3 1
1   =
=  2 2
3
Now, look at the solution using the first form of the formula:

 a1 
 
S  1 − r 
=
 1  1
 
 3 = 3 = 12 = 13 = 1
 1 2 3 3 3 2 2
1− 
= 3  3

A thorough knowledge of all skills involving fractions helps in the

understanding of how the solution is done.

15
IV. WHAT HAVE I LEARNED

A. Find the sum of the terms of the given finite geometric sequence. Write
your answers in your notebook.

Find the sum to the first Find the sum of the first six
twelve terms of the terms of the geometric
geometric sequence sequence

3, -9, 27, -81, 243, … 36, 18, 9, . . .

___________________ ___________________

Find the sum of the first ten Find the sum of the first five
terms of the geometric terms of the geometric
sequence sequence
-1/2, -1, -2, -4, . . . 0.2, 0.02, 0.002, . . .

________________________ ____________________

16
B. Find the sum of the terms of the given infinite geometric sequence
where a

17
 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS, EdD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ELISA L. BAGUIO, EdD

Division Education Program Supervisor – MATHEMATICS

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

MARIA FATIMA M. EMPERADO

Writer

MA. LOUANIE I. SASTRE

Layout Artist
_________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
JEROME Y. SILORIO, EdD
MARICEL T. TROPEZADO

BETA QA TEAM
ELIZABETH A. ALAP-AP
EPIFANIA Q. CUEVAS
NIDA BARBARA S. SUASIN
VRENDIE P. SYGACO
MELBA S. TUMARONG
HANNAHLY I. UMALI

ENHANCEMENT TEAM
CLAUDETH S. MERCADO
JAMES D. RODRIGUEZ
MARIA FATIMA M. EMPERADO
LEONARDO M. GASO, JR.

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and
may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.
What have you learned?
A.
1. -398580 Pretest:
2. 7 A. 1. 242
3. 70.875 2. 43.19
4.0.22222
B. 1. 9
B. 2. 16/9
1. 1/9
2. 1 C. 1. 8/9
3. 5/9 2. 1/6
4. 6/5 3. 1/3
Lesson 2
A. Remember Me?
Help Me!
1. AS 2. N 3. GS 4. GS 5. AS
B. First or Common?
1. a1 = 80, r = ½
2. a1 = 5, r = 6
3. a1 = 5, r = -2
4. a1 = 2, r = -2
Pre –test:
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. D
Did You Know?
Whale Shark
OMG!
Samoyed
Help Me!
Lesson 1
ANSWER KEYS:
SYNOPSIS
The goal of the Philippines K to 12 Mathematics is to
develop learners’ critical thinking and problem solving
skills. Hence, this SLK was created to support this goal.

This SLK discusses how to determine the geometric

mean and the nth term of a geometric sequence and the
sum of the terms of a finite or infinite geometric sequence.
It contains different activities for students to develop
requisite skills.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARIA FATIMA M. EMPERADO. She graduated at

Negros Oriental State University Bais Campuses I
and II with the degree of Bachelor of Education
major in Mathematics last March 2006. She has a
Complete Academic Requirement (CAR, MAED
- Math) in her Master’s Degree. She is currently
teaching at Ayungon Science High School as
Math Teacher, Class Adviser (Grade 10), School
Planning Coordinator, and School Registrar.
 REFERENCES

Books

Bernabe, Julieta G. and Soledad, Jose D. Integrated Mathematics

Textbook for Third Year. JTW Corporation, 2001.

Bernabe, Julieta G. and Soledad, Jose D. Intermediate Algebra

Textbook for Second Year, Rev. Ed. SD Publications, Inc., 2009.

Oronce, Orlando A. and Mendoza, Marilyn O. E-Math Worktext in

Mathematics. Rex Bookstore, Inc., 2018.

EASE Modules Year 2, Module 6: Searching For Patterns in Sequences,

Arithmetic, Geometric and Others

Callanta, M., & et. al. . Mathematics-Grade 10 Learner’s Module (1st

Ed.). DepEd-IMCS, 2015.

Website

Gammon, Katharine. “What’s the World’s Largest Fish?”. Last

modified September 27, 2012. http://www.livescience.com/
34251-worlds-largest-fish.html

Malik, TC. “top 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds in 2020”. Last modified
January 14, 2020. http;//www.prudentpet.com/ blog/most-
expensive-dog-breeds/