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Geometric Sequences and Series

This document provides definitions and examples about geometric sequences. It defines a geometric sequence as a sequence where the ratio between consecutive terms is constant, called the common ratio. It gives examples of finding the common ratio and next terms in various geometric sequences. The document also provides the formula to find the nth term in a geometric sequence and sample problems for using the formula to find early terms in sequences and determine if they are arithmetic, geometric, or neither.

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julius romano
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232 views

Geometric Sequences and Series

This document provides definitions and examples about geometric sequences. It defines a geometric sequence as a sequence where the ratio between consecutive terms is constant, called the common ratio. It gives examples of finding the common ratio and next terms in various geometric sequences. The document also provides the formula to find the nth term in a geometric sequence and sample problems for using the formula to find early terms in sequences and determine if they are arithmetic, geometric, or neither.

Uploaded by

julius romano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Geometric Sequences

Plus a review of arithmetic sequences


Definitions
• Definitions:  (yes, that's right, this is important,
know these!)
• A sequence is a set of numbers, called terms,
arranged in some particular order.
• An arithmetic sequence is a sequence with the
difference between two consecutive terms
constant.  The difference is called the common
difference.
• A geometric sequence is a sequence with a
common ratio, r.
– i.e. The ratio of successive terms in a geometric sequence is a constant
called the common ratio, denoted r.
Examples: Find the common ratio of the
following:
1) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
r=2
2) 27, 9, 3, 1, 1/3, ...
r = 1/3
3) 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ...
r=2
4) 1/2, -1, 2, -4, 8, ...
r = -2
Examples: Find the next term in
each of the previous sequences.
1) 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ...
32
2) 27, 9, 3, 1, 1/3, ...
1/9
3) 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ...
96
4) 1/2, -1, 2, -4, 8, ...
-16
Let's play guess the
sequence!: I give you a
sequence and you guess the
type.  1.Arithmetic, the common
difference d = 5
2) Geometric, the common
1. 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, . . .   ratio r = 2
3) Geometric, r = 1/2
2. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, . . . 4) Arithmetic, d = -4
3. 24, 12, 6, 3, 3/2, 3/4, . . .  5) Neither, why? (How
about no common difference
4. 55, 51, 47, 43, 39, 35, . . . or ratio!)
6) Neither again! (This looks
5. 2, 5, 10, 17, . . .   familiar, could it be from
6. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, . . . geometry?)
This is important!
Arithmetic formula:      
an  =  a1  +  (n - 1)d
an  is the nth term, a1 is the first term, and d
is the common difference.
Geometric formula:          
an = a1 . r (n - 1)
an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, and r
is the common ratio.
Sample problems:
Find the first four terms and state whether the sequence is
arithmetic, geometric, or neither.

1)  an = 3n + 2   
2) an = n2 + 1  
3)  an = 3*2n                              
Answers:
1)  an = 3n + 2  
To find the first four terms, in a row,
replace n with 1, then 2, then 3 and 4

Answer: 5, 8, 11, 14         

The sequence is arithmetic!  d = 3


2) an = n2 + 1

To find the first four terms, do the same


as above!

Answer:  2, 5, 10, 17         

The sequence is neither.  Why?


3)  an = 3*2n 

Answer:  6, 12, 24, 48        

The sequence is geometric with r = 2


Real – World Connection
Suppose you want a reduced copy of a
photograph. The actual length of the photo is
10in. The smallest size the copier can make is
64% of the original. Find the length of the
photograph after five reductions at 64%.
Quick Check
• Find the 19th term in the sequence:

1.11,33,99,297…
    How to find the sum of a finite
Geometric Series 
Example problem:

10th term
Example:

Find the sum of the


first 10 terms of
the
geometric series  9
+ 36 + 144 + 576
+ ...
Example:

Find the sum of the


first 10 terms of the
geometric series  
-6 + -30 + -150 +
-750 + ...
Quiz.
1. Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the
geometric series   8 + 56 + 392 + 2744 + ...
2. Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the
geometric series   4 + 12 + 36 + 108 + ...

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