1.
4 Geometric Sequence
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• Geometric Sequence - a sequence where each term after the first is found by
multiplying the previous one by fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio.
Examples:
1. 2, -10, 50, -250, …
2. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, …
3. 3, 1, , , , …
The fixed non-zero number multiplied is called the common ratio, denoted by r.
In finding the common ratio, divide the 2nd term by the 1st term, divide the 3rd term
by the 2nd term, and so, on.
Examples:
1. 2, -10, 50, -250, …
-10 ÷ 2 = -5
50 ÷ -10 = -5
-250 ÷ 50 = -5
Notice that consecutive terms have the same ratio which is -5. Thus, -5 is the
common ratio of the sequence.
Examples:
1. 2, -10, 50, -250, … r = -5
2. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, … r = 2
3. 3, 1, , , , … r =
Observe:
Given: 3, 6, 12, 24, …, an
Term an Pattern
(n)
1 3 3 a1
2 6 3(2) a1 (2)
3 12 3(2)(2) a1 (2)2
4 24 3(2)(2)(2) A1 (2)3
⋮ ⋮ ⋮
n an a1
→ To find the nth term, the number of common ratio multiplied to the first term is n-1.
Meaning, if you are looking for the 5th term, you are to multiply the first term by 2
four times.
Example 4: Find the 12th term of the geometric sequence 3, 6, 12, 24, …, ?
Given: Substitute the given in the formula
a1 = 3,
r=2
n = 12
a12 = ?
→ The 12th term is 6144.
Example 5: Write the first n terms of the geometric sequence, given a1 = 2, r = 3, n = 4.
Substitute the given in the formula:
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Substitute the given in the formula:
→ The first four terms of the sequence is 2, 6, 18, 54.
n = 4 indicates that you give the first 4 terms of the sequence.
Example 6: What is the common ratio given a1 = 3, a5 = 243
Given: a1 = 3; an = 243; n = 5; r = ?
Substitute the given in the formula
243 = 3
r = ±3
→ There are 2 possible sequences that can be formed:
If r = 3; 3, 9, 27, 81, 243.
If r = -3; 3, -9, 27, -81, 243.
→ Notice that both sequences satisfy the given.
If n = even, there are two possible resulting values for the nth root of a number . If n is odd,
then there is only one value for the nth root of a number.
REVIEW: If n is odd
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• •
REVIEW: If n is even
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Example 7: What term of the sequence , , 1, 2, …, is 64?
Given: ; ; r = 2; n = ?
Express 256 in exponential form with the same base as the right side.
256 = 28
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256 = 28
Since the bases are the same, it suggests that the exponents are equal. Thus, 8 = n - 1.
• Finite Geometric Sequence - A geometric sequence with a definite number of terms
Example:
Sequence First Term Last Term Number of
Terms
1, 5, 25, 125, 625 1 625 5
32, 16, 8, 4 32 4 4
1, 10, 100, 1000, 10 000 1 10 000 5
The first and the last terms are referred to as extremes and those in between them are called
geometric means.
Example:
1, 5, 25, 125, 625
1 and 625 are the extremes.
5, 25, and 125 are geometric means.
There are three geometric means between 1 and 625.
• Infinite Geometric Sequence - a sequence with no definite number of terms.
Example:
3, 6, 12, 24, …
64, 32, 16, 8, 4, …
-2, 6, -18, 54, …
The three dots (ellipsis) indicates that the pattern continues on that side. Since no number is
written after it, it means it goes on without end.
Example 8: Find three geometric means between 32 and
32, _____, _____, _____,
Given: a1 = 32, a5 = ; n = 5; r = ?
→ The geometric means are
If r = 8, 2,
If r =- -8, 2, -
First, write the sequence by inserting three blanks between 32 and . Do not interchange the
order of the given numbers.
• Mean Proportional - a term between two geometric terms.
Example: 1, 5, 25, 125, 625
→ We say 5, 25, and 125 are three geometric means between 1 and 125. 5 is the mean proportional
between 1 and 25 and can be written in the sequence as 1, 5, 25. This means that the ratio
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between 1 and 25 and can be written in the sequence as 1, 5, 25. This means that the ratio
between consecutive terms must be the same since they form a geometric sequence that is .
→ In general, if a2 is the mean proportional between a1 and a3 , then
To solve for the mean proportional, just simply get the square root of the product of two
numbers.
Example 9: Find the mean proportional between each pair of numbers.
1.) 3 and 12 Alternative solution: use the formula for an
3, m, 12 1.) a1 = 3, a3 = 12 r = ? n = 3 The sequences are:
If r = 2 3, 6, 12
If r = -2 3, -6, 12
→ Thus the mean proportional to
3812 are 6 and -6.
2.) -2 and -12
-2, m, -12
2.) a1 = -2, a3 = -12 r = ? n = 3
If r = -2, 2 , -12
r=- -2, -2 , -12
→ mean proportional:
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