Geometric Sequences and Series

In summary, according to the summary, the problem is that the first two terms of a sequence cannot be determined using the information given. The problem is set up in such a way that a perfect cube does not exist and the answer must contain radicals. The problem was also set up in such a way that a geometric series cannot be found using the information given. However, by using the first term and the common ratio, the general rule for a geometric series can be found. The rule states that an=a1rn-1. Once this rule is found, the sum of the series can be found using substitution. Furthermore, the problem is further confused by the fact that the student is not sure how to find the common ratio. The summary ends
  • #1
Astronomer107
31
0
I'm trying to get an A in honors AlgII/Trig and it is impossible, but I won't give up, so I have a few questions.

I'm not sure how to find the first two terms of a sequence (I got a few right, but most wrong and I don't know what's wrong). One of the problems is: a5 = 20; a8 = 4/25.

I set the problem up in this manner: 4/25 = -20r^3, but it does not turn out to be a perfect cube and the answer has no radicals in it, so it must work somehow.

Also: a1=2, a2=5, an=625/8, n=? I tried to find the common ratio, which I though was 2/5 (unless I forgot my basic algebra??), but it the whole problem is messed up.

Only one more thing, I promise! I'm pretty much altogether confused on geometric series. I was given the formula:

Sn= (a1-a1r^n)/1-r where r= common ratio and n is the number of terms in the series. One of the problems was: find the sum of the series: a1= 3/5, r=2, n-7. When I did this, it turned out to be a horrible number, when in fact the answer was supposed to be 47 and 5/8. If anyone could please just explain some of these things to me (I was making up a quiz while the teacher was explaining it). Thank you so much!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Originally posted by Astronomer107
I'm not sure how to find the first two terms of a sequence (I got a few right, but most wrong and I don't know what's wrong). One of the problems is: a5 = 20; a8 = 4/25.

Is that the complete problem statement? If so, then I am as lost as you!

There has to be some rule in effect here, because there is no way to deduce the terms of a series from only two points. If you could state that rule, it would be helpful.

Sn= (a1-a1r^n)/1-r where r= common ratio and n is the number of terms in the series. One of the problems was: find the sum of the series: a1= 3/5, r=2, n-7. When I did this, it turned out to be a horrible number, when in fact the answer was supposed to be 47 and 5/8.

There's no way the answer is 47 5/8. There are only 7 terms, so I added them up with a calculator (erased it before writing it down, though :frown:).
 
  • #3
Yo, d00d, my math skillz are fairly l33t, but I can't remember anything about geometric series, and can't find my big math textbook (all I could find was one that said that the infinite series x^k converges to 1/(1-x) if x < 1, and diverges otherwise .. not too useful)

But, if you can bust out with a more thorough description, I can probably help you out
 
  • #4
I'm not sure how to find the first two terms of a sequence (I got a few right, but most wrong and I don't know what's wrong). One of the problems is: a5 = 20; a8 = 4/25.

I set the problem up in this manner: 4/25 = -20r^3, but it does not turn out to be a perfect cube and the answer has no radicals in it, so it must work somehow.

I'm not sure why you set it up that way but I just worked that one out (and got an answer that works) so I'll just show you how I did it.

The formula for the general rule goes: an=a1rn-1 (so for the first term r is to the zeroth power).

To write down the general rule, you'll need to figure out the first term a1 and the common ratio r. You've been given two pieces of information so you can set up a system of two equations and figure out both variables.

You know that the fifth term (meaning n is 5) is 20 (meaning an is 20) so plug what you know into the general rule formula:

20 = a1r4

You also know that the eight term (n is 8) is 4/25 (an is 4/25). So plug that information in:

4/25 = a1r7

Now, can you solve that system (you'll have to use substitution)?


Also: a1=2, a2=5, an=625/8, n=? I tried to find the common ratio, which I though was 2/5 (unless I forgot my basic algebra??), but it the whole problem is messed up.

Forget about that part I put in boldface for a second. Use the two blue pieces of information the same way I did above to find the first term (a1) and the common ratio (r) to formulate your general rule.

Once you get that, fill in the piece of boldfaced information and I believe you'll have to use logs to solve for n. Have fun. :wink:

Sn= (a1-a1r^n)/1-r where r= common ratio and n is the number of terms in the series. One of the problems was: find the sum of the series: a1= 3/5, r=2, n-7. When I did this, it turned out to be a horrible number, when in fact the answer was supposed to be 47 and 5/8. If anyone could please just explain some of these things to me (I was making up a quiz while the teacher was explaining it). Thank you so much!

Are you sure about that answer? I get 76.2 but that doesn't feel right.
 
Last edited:
  • #5
a8=q*a7=q^2*a6=q^3*a5;
q^3=a8/a5=(4/25)/20=1/125;
q=1/5...
Mentor Edit: Rest of solution removed.

a1=2;a2=5;q=a2/a1=5/2;
an=625/8=a1*q^(n-1)=2*(5/2)^(n-1);
Mentor Edit: Rest of solution removed.

a1= 3/5; r=2; n=7

Sn= a1+a2+...+an;
Sn=a1+a1*r+a1*r^2+...+a1*r^(n-1); |*r
r*Sn= a1*r+a1*r^2+...+a1*r^(n-1)+a1*r^n; |-

Sn*(r-1)=a1*(r^n-1);
Mentor Edit: Rest of solution removed.

If you insert the numbers in and calculate, you will get 76.2.

...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #6
Bogdan, I appreciate that you want to help, but please do not post complete solutions here. Astronomer 107 has to learn this stuff for herself.
 
  • #7
Oops..sorry...that will never happen again...
 

What is a geometric sequence?

A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant number called the common ratio. For example, the sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, ... is a geometric sequence with a common ratio of 3.

What is the formula for finding the nth term of a geometric sequence?

The formula for finding the nth term of a geometric sequence is an = a1 * rn-1, where an is the nth term, a1 is the first term, and r is the common ratio.

How do you determine if a sequence is geometric?

A sequence is geometric if each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant number, called the common ratio. You can also check by dividing any term by the previous term, and if the result is the same for all terms, then the sequence is geometric.

What is a geometric series?

A geometric series is the sum of a geometric sequence. It has a finite number of terms if the common ratio is between -1 and 1 (exclusive), and an infinite number of terms if the common ratio is equal to -1 or 1.

How do you find the sum of a geometric series?

The sum of a geometric series, Sn, can be found using the formula Sn = a1 * (1 - rn) / (1 - r), where a1 is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the number of terms. If the series has an infinite number of terms, the sum is S = a1 / (1 - r).

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
897
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
856
Replies
6
Views
524
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
775
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
137
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
896
  • General Math
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
Back
Top