Are My Arithmetic/Geometric Sequence Answers Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around verifying answers related to arithmetic and geometric sequences, including finding nth terms and sums of series. Participants are exploring the rules for these sequences and addressing specific problems presented by the original poster.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are verifying the correctness of the original poster's answers and discussing the reasoning behind them. Questions about the rules for the sequences and the implications of doubling amounts in a problem scenario are raised. There is also exploration of how to express terms in a sequence with alternating signs.

Discussion Status

Some participants have confirmed the correctness of certain answers while questioning others. There is ongoing exploration of how to derive rules for the sequences in question, particularly for the sequences presented in Q5. Hints and suggestions are being offered to guide the original poster's understanding.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of the arithmetic and geometric sequences, including the need for clarity on the rules governing the sequences and the specific conditions of the problems. There is a noted lack of consensus on the approach to some of the questions, particularly Q4 and Q5.

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hey... I'd appreciate it if you could verify my answers..

Q1) Write a rule for the nth term of the arithmetic sequence 1,6,11,16... Then find a10.

A1) An=A1 + (n-1)d
An=1+ (n-1)5

A10=1+(10-1)5
A10=1+45
A10=46
_________________________________________________________________

Q2) Find the sum of the first 20 terms of the arithmetic series:

.5+1.1+1.7+2.3+2.9+...

A2) An=a1+(n-1)d
A20= .5 + (20-1).6
a20= 11.4+.5 = 11.9

Sn= n (a1+an/2)
sn= 10 (.5+11.9/12)
Sn=124
_____________________________________________________________

Q3) Write a rule for the nth term of the geometric sequence 3,15,75,375,... then find a12

a3) An=A1r^(n-1)
an=(3)(5)^(n-1)

A12=(3)(5)^(12-1)
a12=(3)(5)^11
a12=146,484,375
_________________________________________________________________

Q4) Your father wants to make a deal with you. He will giev you five cents to clean the garage. He will then double the amount daily for each day this month that you keep the garage tidy. Today is August 15. Is it a good idea to accept these conditions? How much will you earn on August 31?

A4) C= .5
n=number of days

Expression: an= 2c+n
an=2(.5)+n
an= n+1

A15=15+1
a15=16

He would earn $16 on august 31st.
____________________________________________________________

I do not know the answers for the following questions.

Q5) Write the next term in the sequence. Then write a rule for the nth term.

a) 7,-8,9,-10

Aa)
____________________________________________________________

b) (1/2), (-1/4), (1/8), (-1/16)..

Ab) i was thinking the rule could probably be 1/2^(n+2) but the problem is that i won't get the negative sign..
____________________________________________________________

Any help is much appreciated.
 
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1 is correct, the answer for 2 is correct but I don't know where you got your steps from (probably just a typo), 3 is correct, 4 is wrong (at least the way I read it - he's doubling the amount he paid you the previous day on each successive day).

For 5, how can you get an extra (-1) alernating between terms? Any ideas? HINT: If the general term of a sequence is given by [itex](-1)^n[/itex] then what are the terms?
 
For 5, how can you get an extra (-1) alernating between terms? Any ideas? HINT: If the general term of a sequence is given by then what are the terms?

although I do somewhat understand what your saying, i can't seem to think of a way to apply it to 5a and 5b... For example, in 5a, 9,7,-8,-10... i don't see any common difference... they are not common multiples or anything so how would i make the rule?

EDIT: for 5b) i think i found the answer.. its (-1)/(-2)^(n+2).. therefore the next term would be (1/32) .. is that correct?

4 is wrong (at least the way I read it - he's doubling the amount he paid you the previous day on each successive day).

A4) will it be, c+2c*n= c+2cn= n ( c+2c)?
 
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For 5b/ Your answer is correct. But it would be better if you write it like:
[tex]A_{n} = A_{1} r^{n - 1} = \frac{1}{2} \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^{n - 1}[/tex]
For Q4. It's also a geometric sequence:
You have [itex]A_{1} = 5 \mbox{ cents}[/itex]. You have r = 2. So can you find the 17th term? (The day 31th August is the 17th term of the se quence) (I wonder if any dads will be as generous as the dad in this problem :smile:).
Viet Dao,
 
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For 5a, first think about the sequence [tex]7, 8, 9, \cdots[/tex]. How would you express the general term for that? Once you've thought about it, can you see a way to use the same trick I pointed out for 5b to get the sequence the question asks for?
 

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