How to evaluate an infinite series with a geometric pattern?

[oddjobmj]

Homework Statement

I'm told to evaluate the following to the thousandths place:

\infty
\Sigma 7*(0.35)^k
k=1

Homework Equations

We know that an infinite equation can be expressed as:

S_\infty=(a₁)/1-rⁿ

The Attempt at a Solution

The first term (a₁) is 7 and r=.35 so I can plug those into the above equation. I can see that we're doing something along the lines of:

7+7(.35)+7(.35^2)+7(.35^3)

However, there are two issues I'm having.

1) How do I plug in n when it's infinity?

2) In the non-infinite sum of geometric series problems I've worked where in the \Sigma equation it's r^k versus the normal format of r^k-1 I had to modify the problem to make it k-1 and ended up multiplying the whole thing by r and then subtracting r from the whole thing... It was kind of crazy and I'm still not sure why and what happened.

Do I have to do something like that here?

How do I solve this equation?

Thank you for your time!

 

[HallsofIvy]

Homework Statement

I'm told to evaluate the following to the thousandths place:

\infty
\Sigma 7*(0.35)^k
k=1

Homework Equations

We know that an infinite equation can be expressed as:

S_\infty=(a₁)/1-rⁿ

No, this is wrong. The formula for a finite geometric sum is
\sum_{k=0}^n ar^k= \frac{a(1- r^{n+ 1})}{1- r}.

You get the formula for the infinite series by taking the limit as n goes to infinity. It only converges if -1< r< 1 and in that case r^n goes to 0. The sum of an infinite geometric series,
\sum_{n=0}^\infty ar^n= \frac{a}{1- r}

The Attempt at a Solution

The first term (a₁) is 7 and r=.35 so I can plug those into the above equation. I can see that we're doing something along the lines of:

7+7(.35)+7(.35^2)+7(.35^3)

However, there are two issues I'm having.

1) How do I plug in n when it's infinity?

There is no "n" in the formula for the sum of an infinite series.

2) In the non-infinite sum of geometric series problems I've worked where in the \Sigma equation it's r^k versus the normal format of r^k-1 I had to modify the problem to make it k-1 and ended up multiplying the whole thing by r and then subtracting r from the whole thing... It was kind of crazy and I'm still not sure why and what happened.

Do I have to do something like that here?

No, you do not.

How do I solve this equation?

Thank you for your time!

Use the formula
\sum_{n=0}^\infty ar^n= \frac{a}{1- r}

 

[oddjobmj]

Alright, thanks!

Now I guess my issue is that k=1 in my equation and I'm really not sure how to get it to 0.

 

[oddjobmj]

Just for future reference if anyone has this question again.

I figured it out after HallsofIvy's help, thanks!

You just take the result of a/(1-r) which happens to be 10.769 in this case and subtract 1*a or '7' to get the end result of 3.769.

 

[HallsofIvy]

The "k= 0" term in 7(0.35)^k is 7(0.35)^0= 7. To get the sum from k= 1 to infinity. ust use the formula from 0 to infinity, the subtract 7.

Or: let n= k-1 so that when k= 1, n= 0. Then k= n+ 1 so 7(0.35)^k= 7(0.35)^{n+1}= 7(0.35)(0.35)^n[/math]. Use the formula from n=0 to infinity with [math]a_0= 7(0.35)= 2.45 and r still 0.35. <br /> <br /> Both of those should give the same answer.