Section 12.

3
Geometric Sequences;
Geometric Series

Geometric Sequence

* Sometimes called a geometric progression.

Show that the sequence is geometric. List the first

term and the common ratio.
(a) -2, -8, -32, -128, . . .

(b)

sn 3

(c)

tn 3 2

n 1

(a) a1 2 r 4
(b) a1 311 9 r 3

(c) a1 3 2 6 r 2
1

(a) Find the nth term of the geometric sequence:

4 8
2

3, 2, , , . . .
an 3
(a) a1 3 r
3 9

n 1

(b) Find the ninth term of this sequence.

2
a9 3
3

9 1

256

2187

(c) Find a recursive formula for this sequence.

2
a1 3, an an 1
3

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Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

Find the sum of the first n terms of the sequence 3n .

a1 3 r 3

1 3
3
n
sn 3
1 3
1 3
2
n

1 r
sn a1
1 r

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Find the sum of the first n terms of the sequence

n1

6 18
3
2 ... 2
5 25
5

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Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

3
4

2
k 1

k 1

4 6 9 ...

3
a1 4 r
2
Since r 1 the series diverges.

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Determine if the series converges or diverges.

If it converges, find its sum.
-6 + 2 2/3 +

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9
a1
10

1
r
10

9
9
S 10 10 1
1
9
1
10 10

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Figure 15

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Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

An annuity is a sequence of equal periodic deposits. The amount

of an annuity is the sum of all deposits made plus all interest paid.

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

1 0.10 1

$328,988.05
A 2000
0.10
30

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

0.10
1

12
A 50
0.10
12

180

1
$20, 723.52

By the 180th deposit she will have saved $20,723.52

and her daughter will be 18 years old.

Copyright 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.