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Geometric Sequences

A geometric sequence is a sequence where the ratio between consecutive terms is constant. This ratio is called the common ratio. Unlike arithmetic sequences, the differences between consecutive terms in a geometric sequence vary. Geometric sequences are identified by looking for multiplication. Important formulas for geometric sequences include the recursive formula (an = an-1 * r) and explicit formula (an = a1 * rn-1) where an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the term number. Examples are provided to demonstrate using these formulas to find specific terms in geometric sequences.

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Melben Resurreccion
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101 views9 pages

Geometric Sequences

A geometric sequence is a sequence where the ratio between consecutive terms is constant. This ratio is called the common ratio. Unlike arithmetic sequences, the differences between consecutive terms in a geometric sequence vary. Geometric sequences are identified by looking for multiplication. Important formulas for geometric sequences include the recursive formula (an = an-1 * r) and explicit formula (an = a1 * rn-1) where an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the term number. Examples are provided to demonstrate using these formulas to find specific terms in geometric sequences.

Uploaded by

Melben Resurreccion
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Geometric Sequences

What is a Geometric Sequence?


 In a geometric sequence, the ratio
between consecutive terms is
constant. This ratio is called the
common ratio.
 Unlike in an arithmetic sequence, the
difference between consecutive
terms varies.
 We look for multiplication to
identify geometric sequences.
Ex: Determine if the sequence is geometric.
If so, identify the common ratio
 1,
-6, 36, -216
yes. Common ratio=-6

 2,4, 6, 8
no. No common ratio
Important Formulas for
Geometric Sequence:
 Recursive Formula  Explicit Formula
an = (an – 1 ) r an = a1 * r n-1

Where:
an is the nth term in the
sequence
a1 is the first term
n is the number of the term
r is the common ratio
Ex: Write the recursive formula for
each sequence
First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3

Recursive: an = an-1 * r an = an-1 * (1/3)

a1 = 7
Now find the first five
a2 = 7(1/3) = 7/3
terms:
a3 = 7/3(1/3) = 7/9
a4 = 7/9(1/3) = 7/27
a5 = 7/27(1/3) = 7/81
Ex: Write the explicit formula for
each sequence
First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3

Explicit: an = a1 * r n-1

a1 = 7(1/3) (1-1)
= 7
Now find the first five
a2 = 7(1/3) (2-1)
= 7/3
terms:
a3 = 7(1/3) (3-1)
= 7/9
a4 = 7(1/3) (4-1)
= 7/27
a5 = 7(1/3) (5-1)
= 7/81
Recursive Geometic Sequence Problem
Find the 5th and 6th term in the
sequence of 11,33,99,297 . . .

an = an-1 * r Start with the recursive sequence


formula

Find the common ratio


Common ratio = 3 between the values.

a5 = 297 (3) = 891 Plug in known values

a6 = 891(3) = 2673 Simplify


Explicit Geometic Sequence Problem
Find the 19th term in the sequence of
11,33,99,297 . . .

an = a1 * r n-1 Start with the explicit sequence formula

Find the common ratio


Common ratio = 3 between the values.

a19 = 11 (3) (19-1) Plug in known values

a19 = 11(3)18 =4,261,626,379 Simplify


Let’s try one
Find the 10th term in the sequence of
1, -6, 36, -216 . . .

an = a1 * r n-1 Start with the explicit sequence formula

Find the common ratio


Common ratio = -6 between the values.

a10 = 1 (-6) (10-1) Plug in known values

a10 = 1(-6)9 = -10,077,696 Simplify

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