A geometric sequence within a arithmetic sequence

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of sequences, specifically exploring whether an arithmetic sequence can exist if the differences between terms follow a geometric pattern. Participants analyze a specific sequence and its properties, questioning the definitions and classifications of arithmetic and geometric sequences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if an arithmetic sequence can have a changing difference that follows a geometric sequence, presenting a specific example of the sequence 0.33, 0.3333, 0.333333.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on what is meant by "correct" in the context of sequences.
  • A participant explains that arithmetic sequences have a common difference and geometric sequences have a common ratio, asserting that the presented sequence does not fit either definition and is instead a sequence of partial sums of a geometric series.
  • The same participant provides examples of arithmetic and geometric sequences, emphasizing that the discussed sequence lacks a common difference or ratio.
  • A later reply reflects on a teacher's explanation regarding sequences, suggesting that the terms 0.33, 0.3333, etc., could be viewed as a geometric sequence leading to a sum of 0.3333333.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the sequence can be classified as arithmetic or geometric. There are competing views regarding the definitions and interpretations of the sequence in question.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of defining sequences and the potential for different interpretations based on how terms are constructed and summed. There are unresolved aspects regarding the classification of the sequence and the implications of its properties.

B4ssHunter
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the main question here is that can a sequence * arithmetic * be correct if the difference is also changing in terms of a geometric sequence ?\
now look at this sequence
0.33,0.3333,0.333333
now if we calculate the difference between the first two terms
its 0.0033
between the second and the third its
0.000033
the difference between the numbers goes as a geometric sequence
0.33,0.0033,0.000033 and the Ratio between them is 1/100
can this work as a sequence ? and if so what kind of sequence is it ?
 
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B4ssHunter said:
the main question here is that can a sequence * arithmetic * be correct if the difference is also changing in terms of a geometric sequence ?

What do you mean by "correct"?
 
There are many different types of sequences. Some of the most common ones that we study are arithmetic and geometric sequences. Arithmetic sequences have a common difference while geometric sequences have a common ratio. If a sequence does not have a common difference or a common ratio then it is neither arithmetic or geometric but it is still a sequence.

For example:
1,2,3,4,5,6,... is arithmetic but not geometric
1,2,4,8,16,... is geometric but not arithmetic
1,4,9,16,25,... is neither arithmetic or geometric but is still a sequence

The sequence you mentioned is not arithmetic because it does not have a common difference. It is not geometric because there is no common ratio between terms. Actually, what you have is a sequence of partial sums of a geometric series.

For example:
S1 = 0.33
S2 = 0.33 + 0.0033
S3 = 0.33 + 0.0033 + 0.000033
etc.
So each partial sum individually is a geometric series but the sequence of partial sums is not arithmetic or geometric.

Hope that makes sense,
Junaid Mansuri
 
junaid314159 said:
There are many different types of sequences. Some of the most common ones that we study are arithmetic and geometric sequences. Arithmetic sequences have a common difference while geometric sequences have a common ratio. If a sequence does not have a common difference or a common ratio then it is neither arithmetic or geometric but it is still a sequence.

For example:
1,2,3,4,5,6,... is arithmetic but not geometric
1,2,4,8,16,... is geometric but not arithmetic
1,4,9,16,25,... is neither arithmetic or geometric but is still a sequence

The sequence you mentioned is not arithmetic because it does not have a common difference. It is not geometric because there is no common ratio between terms. Actually, what you have is a sequence of partial sums of a geometric series.

For example:
S1 = 0.33
S2 = 0.33 + 0.0033
S3 = 0.33 + 0.0033 + 0.000033
etc.
So each partial sum individually is a geometric series but the sequence of partial sums is not arithmetic or geometric.

Hope that makes sense,
Junaid Mansuri

right that makes sense , i was thinking of this because my teacher told me once about how to make a sequence of a 3.3333333and so on , i didn't think of it as getting the sum at the end but rather each term would be 0.33 ,0.3333 and so on
so 0.333333333~ is actually a geometric sequence
where it goes like 0.3,0.03,0.003 and then in the end if we take the sum of the series it gives 0.3333333
 

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