Worked example 15: Sum to innity of a geometric series

QUESTION
Given the series 18 + 6 + 2 + . Find the sum to innity if it exists.
SOLUTION
Step 1: Determine the value of r
We need to know the value of r to de-
termine whether the series converges
or diverges.
T
2
T
1
=
6
18
=
1
3
T
3
T
2
=
2
6
=
1
3
r =
1
3
Since 1 < r < 1, we can conclude
that this is a convergent geometric se-
ries.
Step 2: Determine the sum to innity
Write down the formula for the sum to
innity and substitute the known val-
ues:
a = 18; r =
1
3
S

=
a
1 r
=
18
1
1
3
=
18
2
3
= 18
3
2
= 27
As n tends to innity, the sum of this
series tends to 27; no matter how many
terms are added together, the value of
the sum will never be greater than 27.
Worked example 16: Using the sum to innity to convert recurring decimals to
fractions
QUESTION
Use two different methods to convert the recurring decimal 0,

5 to a proper fraction.
SOLUTION
Step 1: Convert the recurring decimal to a fraction using equations
Let x = 0,

5
x = 0,555 . . . . . . (1)
10x = 5,55 . . . . . . (2)
(2) (1) : 9x = 5
x =
5
9
40 1.6. Innite series