Solving Inflated Series: Sum of First 20 Terms of a=r^k-1

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The discussion centers on calculating the sum of the first 20 terms of the sequence defined by the formula a = r^(k-1), where the terms are 2, 4/3, 8/9, and the common ratio is 2/3. The user mistakenly believes that the sum must exceed 2, despite the series being inflated due to the ratio r being less than 1. The correct formula for the sum of the first n terms is s_n = t_1 * (1 - q^n) / (1 - q), which clarifies the misunderstanding regarding the sum's value.

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member38644
my problem is regarding sequences:

Sum first 20 terms of a=r^k-1

terms are 2, 4/3, 8/9,...
and ratio is 2/3
and r < 1 so its an inflated series
and 2(2/3)^19 = .009021859795

BUT it is an inflated series right? and my answer is the sum of the
first 20 terms which has to be larger than 2 right? so where am I
going wrong?
 
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a=r^(k-1) is a formula for the k-th term, not for the sum of the first k terms.
The formula for the sum is: [tex]s_n=t_{1}\frac{1-q^n}{1-q}[/tex]
 

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