G.P. = [itex] \sum_{n=1}^k a_{1}(\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}})^{n-1} [/itex]

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the representation of a geometric series, specifically the formula for the sum of the first n terms, denoted as Sn. The correct expression for a geometric series is Sn = a1 + a1r + a1r2 + ... + a1rn-1, where a1 is the first term and r is the common ratio. The participants clarify that while the general term can be expressed using the ratio of consecutive terms, it is less informative as it obscures the constancy of the ratio. The simplified notation Sn = Σk=0n-1 a1rk is recommended for clarity.

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Lebombo
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A geometric series is S_{n}= a_{1} + a_{2} + a_{3} + ...+ a_{n} = a_{1}r^{0} + a_{2}r^{1} + a_{3}r^{2} + ...+ a_{n}r^{n-1}

In a geometric series, the first term = a_{1}

The common ratio = \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}

The nth term of a geometric sequence is a_{n}= a_{1}r^{n-1}= a_{1}(\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}})^{n-1}

The question is:

In the summand of the sigma notation, can the general term of geometric sequence formula be expressed this way:

S_{n}= \sum_{i=1}^n a_{1}r^{i-1} = \sum_{i=1}^n a_{1}(\frac{a_{i+1}}{a_{i}})^{i-1}
 
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It can, but why would you want to? It loses the information that the ratio is a constant.
 
Lebombo said:
A geometric series is S_{n}= a_{1} + a_{2} + a_{3} + ...+ a_{n} = a_{1}r^{0} + a_{2}r^{1} + a_{3}r^{2} + ...+ a_{n}r^{n-1}
The two expressions you show aren't equal unless r = 1.

You should write your (finite) geometric series like so:
##S_{n}= ar^{0} + ar^{1} + ar^{2} + ...+ ar^{n-1} ##
Lebombo said:
In a geometric series, the first term = a_{1}
There is no need for subscripts in a geometric series. The first term is a, the next is ar, the one after that is ar2, and so on.
Lebombo said:
The common ratio = \frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}}
The common ratio is r. Each term in the series is r times the previous term.
Lebombo said:
The nth term of a geometric sequence is a_{n}= a_{1}r^{n-1}= a_{1}(\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_{n}})^{n-1}
The n-th term is arn-1.
Lebombo said:
The question is:

In the summand of the sigma notation, can the general term of geometric sequence formula be expressed this way:

S_{n}= \sum_{i=1}^n a_{1}r^{i-1} = \sum_{i=1}^n a_{1}(\frac{a_{i+1}}{a_{i}})^{i-1}
It's much simpler like this:
$$S_n = \sum_{k = 0}^{n-1} ar^k$$
 
Last edited:

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