10

Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 3
Geometric Sequences
About the Module
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master Geometric Sequences. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.

This module is divided into four lessons, namely:

Lesson 1 – Geometric Sequences: The Common Ratio (r)
Lesson 2 – Geometric Sequences: The General Rule
Lesson 3 – Geometric Sequences: Arithmetic vs. Geometric
Lesson 4 – Geometric Sequences: The nth Term

After going through this module, you are expected to be able to:
1. illustrate geometric sequences using the common ratio and the general
rule;
2. differentiate arithmetic and geometric sequences;
3. determine the nth term of a geometric sequence.

iii
 What I Know (Pre-Test)
Instructions: Read each item carefully. Try to answer them as much as possible.
Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. It is a sequence wherein each term after the first term is obtained by multiplying
a constant value.
A. arithmetic sequence C. harmonic sequence
B. Fibonacci sequence D. geometric sequence

2. Which statements are TRUE about arithmetic and geometric sequences?

A. arithmetic sequence: adding a common ratio
geometric sequence: multiplying a common ratio
B. arithmetic sequence: multiplying a common difference
geometric sequence: adding a common difference
C. arithmetic sequence: adding a common difference
geometric sequence: multiplying a common ratio
D. arithmetic sequence: multiplying a common ratio
geometric sequence: adding a common difference

3. The sequence, 1, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001, … is a/an ________________ sequence.

A. arithmetic C. both A and B
B. geometric D. neither A nor B

4. Of the formulae below, which describes the general term of a geometric sequence?
A. 𝑎𝑛 = 4(5𝑛−1 ) C. 𝑎𝑛 = 4(𝑛5 )
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 4 + 5𝑛 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 4 − 5𝑛−1

5. Which of the following is/are in geometric sequence?

I. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ...
II. 4, 2, 0, -2, …
III. 3, -6, 12, -24, …
A. I and II B. I and III C. II and III D. I, II and III

6. The common ratio can be obtained in a listed geometric sequence by ___________.

A. multiplying two consecutive terms
B. dividing a term by the term before it
C. adding together two consecutive terms
D. subtracting a term from the term after it

7. To get the next terms in the geometric sequence, 1, 2, 4, 8, …, we ______________.

A. add a constant ratio 2 C. multiply a common ratio 2
B. add a common difference 2 D. multiply a constant difference 2

8. What is the common ratio of the sequence 3, 12, 48, …?

1 1
A. B. C. 3 D. 4
4 3

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9. In the sequence 3, 12, 48, …, what is the next term after 48?
A. 60 B. 96 C. 144 D. 192

10. What is the common ratio of the sequence given the rule 𝑎𝑛 = 0.3(19)𝑛−1 ?
A. 0.3 B. 1 C. 3 D. 19

11. Which of the sequences below has a general rule 𝑎𝑛 = −100(0.5)𝑛−1 ?

A. −100, 500, −2500,… C. −100, −50, −25, …
B. 0.5, −50, 5 000, … D. 0.5, −25, 100, …

12. The rule for the sequence that starts with 10 with a common ratio of 5 is _____.
A. 𝑎𝑛 = 10(𝑟)𝑛−5 C. 𝑎𝑛 = 5(10)𝑛−1
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 10(5) 𝑛−1 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 5(𝑛)𝑛−10

1
13. What is the 10th term of a geometric sequence if 𝑎1 = − 8 and 𝑟 = ?
2
1 1 1 1
A. − B. − C. − D. −
128 64 32 16

14. What is the first term of the sequence with 𝑟 = −2 and 𝑎13 = − 16 384?
A. -8 B. -4 C. 2 D. 4

15. The first three terms of a geometric sequence are 512𝑥, 256𝑥 2 , 128𝑥 3 , …. What is
the 12th term of the sequence?
𝑥 13 𝑥 12 𝑥 11
A. B. C. D. 𝑥 10
8 4 2

2
 Lesson Geometric Sequences:
1
Monday The Common Ratio (𝒓)
What I Need to Know
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to illustrate geometric
sequences using the common ratio.

What’s In
In a geometric sequence, also called “geometric progression”, each term
after the first is generated by multiplying the preceding terms by a constant
non-zero number. This constant non-zero number that we multiply to the terms is
called the common ratio. It is denoted by the variable 𝒓.

What’s New
You are going to need a rectangular piece of paper. So, please get one.

1. Fold it into half. Then unfold it. Count the rectangles formed.
How many rectangles were formed? _______
2. Fold it into half again, this time twice. Then unfold it.

from: https://bit.ly/3iJSB5z
How many rectangles were formed? _______
3. Fold it into half again, thrice. Then unfold it.
How many rectangles were formed? _______
4. Fold it into half again four times. Then unfold it.
How many rectangles were formed? _______
5. List down all the number of rectangles you have counted above.
______, ______, ______, ______
6. Looking at the sequence above, guess how many rectangles can be
formed by folding the paper into half five times. _______

What Is It
In the paper-folding activity, you should have gotten the
sequence, 2, 4, 8, 16, by counting the rectangles. By this
time, you can start seeing a pattern—multiplying by a constant
number 2 to get the next number. This helped you guess that folding the paper 5
times will form 32 rectangles. Thus, forming the sequence, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. This is an
example of a geometric sequence and in this example, the common ratio is 2.

To find the common ratio, divide any term with the term before it. Conversely,
we use the common ratio 𝑟 to solve for the next terms.

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Illustrative Examples:
Ex. 1: Consider geometric sequence, 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, …. Solve for 𝑟.
Solution: We can choose any of the terms after the first term, say 18, and
divide it by the term right before it, which is 6.
So, 𝑟 = 18 ÷ 6 = 3.
Because the common ratio is constant throughout the sequence, choosing
other terms will give the same common ratio. Let’s check.
If we choose 6, If we choose 54, If we choose 162,
𝑟 =6÷2 =3 𝑟 = 54 ÷ 18 = 3 𝑟 = 162 ÷ 54 = 3
Thus, 𝑟 = 3 for sequence, 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, ….

3 1
Ex. 2: Given the sequence, 324, 54, 9, , , …, determine the common ratio 𝑟.
2 4
Solution: To solve for the common ratio, divide any term by the previous term.
3 3 18 3 2 6 1
𝑟 = ÷9 = ÷ = × = =
2 2 2 2 18 36 6
1 1 3
Thus, 𝑟 = for the sequence , , 9, 54, 324, ….
6 4 2

Ex. 3: The first four terms of a geometric sequence are 1, −4𝑤, 16𝑤 2, −64𝑤 3, …
Find the common ratio 𝑟.
Solution: Let’s choose 16𝑤 2, and divide it by the term before it which is −4𝑤.
So, 𝑟 = 16𝑤 2 ÷ (−4𝑤) = −4𝑤
Thus, 𝑟 = −4𝑤 for the sequence. 1, −4𝑤, 16𝑤 2, −64𝑤 3, ….

Ex. 4: Given the sequence, 2, 6, 18, …, give the next two terms.
Solution: Solve the common ratio first. 𝑟 = 18 ÷ 6 = 3.
Multiply the common ratio 𝑟 = 3 to the existing terms to get the next terms.
18 × 3 = 54 and then 54 × 3 = 162.
The next two terms are 54 and 162, thus making 2, 6, 18, 54, 162, ….

What’s More
Activity 1. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
Instructions: Solve for the common ratio (𝑟) of each sequence. Use 𝑟 to give the next
three terms. The first one is done for you.
Geometric sequence Common ratio Next three terms
1. -5, 30, -180, … -6 1 080, -6 480, 38 880
2. -2, -10, -50, -250, …
3. 3, 12, 48, …
4. 1458, 486, 162, 54, …
5. -4, -12, -36, …
6. 𝑘, 6𝑘 3 , 36𝑘 6 , 216𝑘 9 ….

What I Need to Remember

The common ratio (𝑟) of a geometric sequence is solved by dividing
any term by the term before it. Multiplying 𝑟 to a term gives the next term.

4
 Lesson Geometric Sequences:
2
Tuesday The General Rule
What I Need to Know
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to illustrate geometric
sequences using the general rule.

What’s In
You now know that the common ratio 𝑟 can generate the sequence by
multiplying it to the terms. We can also define each sequence using the general rule.
From the general rule, we can write a unique formula for each sequence that can
generate the general term of the sequence.
What’s New
Take a look at sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, 162 again. From Lesson 1., Ex. 1, we
learned that 𝑟 = 3 for this sequence. We can present the pattern of this
sequence in the table below. Complete the table by observing the position of the
terms and the exponents of the common ratio.

What Is It
The first term 𝑎1 = 2 can be expressed as 2 × 30 . The term’s position is 1
and the common ratio’s exponent is 0. For 6, the position is 2, and 𝑟’s exponent is
1. For 18, the position is 3, and 𝑟’s exponent is 2. Following the pattern, we get this:

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 Notice that the
exponent of each term’s
common ratio is one unit
less than the term’s
position.
If we let the position
of the terms be 𝑛, then the
common ratio’s exponent is
𝑛 − 1.
In 2 × 3𝑛−1 , we know
that 2 is the first term 𝑎1 &
3 is the common ratio 𝑟. If
we replace the variables, we get the general rule for geometric sequences 𝒂𝒏 = 𝒂𝟏 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 ,
where, 𝑎𝑛 = nth term (also called general term)
𝑎1 = first term
𝑟 = common ratio
𝑛 = position of the term

Illustrative Examples:
Ex. 1. Consider the sequence, 160, 80, 40, …. Give the general rule.
1
Solution: Solve for the common ratio 𝑟 first. 𝑟 = 80 ÷ 160 =
2
1
Now, we know that 𝑎1 = 160 and 𝑟 = . Replace these values into the formula.
2
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑛−1 𝑛−1
1 1
𝑎𝑛 = 160 ( ) Thus, the rule for 160, 80, 40, … is 𝑎𝑛 = 160 ( ) .
2 2

Ex. 2. Find the general term of the geometric sequence, -6, -24, -96, ….
Solution: Solve for 𝑟 first. 𝑟 = −24 ÷ (−6) = 4.
From the sequence, we see that the first term 𝑎1 = −6.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = −6(4)𝑛−1 Therefore, the general term is 𝑎𝑛 = −6(4)𝑛−1 .

Ex. 3. Consider the sequence, 3𝑧 3 , 3𝑧 7 , 3𝑧 11 ,…. What is the general rule?

Solution: Solve for the common ratio first. 𝑟 = 3𝑧 7 ÷ 3𝑧 3 = 𝑧 4
We now know that 𝑎1 = 3𝑧 3 , 𝑟 = 𝑧 4 . Replace these values into the formula.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑧 3 (𝑧 4 )𝑛−1 This is the rule for 3𝑧 3 , 3𝑧 7 , 3𝑧 11 , ….

Ex. 4. Consider the sequence, √2 , 2√6 , 12√2, ….

Solution: Find r first. Let’s choose 12√2 and divide it by 2√6.
12√2
𝑟 = 12√2 ÷ 2√6 = To simplify, we rationalize the denominator.
2√6
12√2 2√6
𝑟= ∙ Multiply both sides by the denominator.
2 √ 6 2√ 6
(12∙2)(√2.6) 24√12
𝑟= = = √4.3 = √22 ∙ 3 = 2√3
(2∙2)(6) 24
Thus 𝑟 = 2√3

We now know that 𝑎1 = √2 , 𝑟 = 2√3. Replace these values into the formula.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = √2(2√3) This is the rule for √2 , 2√6 , 12√2, ….

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 What’s More
Activity 2. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
A. Given the first term and the common ratio, write the rule for each geometric
sequence. Then give the first 3 terms. The first one is done for you.

Given Rule First three terms

1. 𝑎1 = 11, 𝑟 = 2 𝑎𝑛 = 11(2)𝑛−1 11, 22, 44
2. 𝑎1 = 8, 𝑟 = 10
3. 𝑎1 = −10, 𝑟 = 2
4. 𝑎1 = 5, 𝑟 = 6
5. 𝑎1 = 4, 𝑟 = 5
6. 𝑎1 = 0.5, 𝑟 = −4
7. 𝑎1 = −3, 𝑟 = −2
1
8. 𝑎1 = −48, 𝑟 =
2
1
9. 𝑎1 = , 𝑟 = √3
3
10. 𝑎1 = 3𝑏 , 𝑟 = 9
11. 𝑎1 = 4𝑥 , 𝑟 = −𝑧

B. Given the first three terms, write the rule for each geometric sequence.

1. 11, 33, 99, …

2. 25, 5, 1, …

3. -15, 30, -60, …

4. 0.20, 1.4, 9.8, …

5. 𝑚𝑛, 𝑚𝑛2 , 𝑚𝑛3 , …

What I Need to Remember

The general rule for geometric sequences is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 , where 𝑎𝑛 is
any term in the sequence, 𝑎1 is the first term, 𝑟 is the common ratio, and 𝑛 is the
position of the term.

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 Lesson Geometric Sequences:
3
Wednesday Arithmetic vs. Geometric
What I Need to Know
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to differentiate a
geometric sequence from an arithmetic sequence.

What’s In
Arithmetic Sequences vs. Geometric Sequences
In an arithmetic sequence, the terms are generated by adding the common
difference (𝑑) to the first terms. Its general rule is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1).
On the other hand, in a geometric sequence, each term after the first is
obtained by multiplying the preceding term by the nonzero constant called the
common ratio (𝑟). The general rule is 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .

What’s New
Can you guess which column has three arithmetic sequences and which
column has three geometric sequences?
A B
7, 15, 23, 31, 39, … 7, 56, 448, 3 584, 28 672, …
100, 100.2, 100.4, 100.6 100, 20, 4, 0.8, 0.16
-4, -7, -10, -13, -16, … -4, 12, -36, 108, -324, …

What Is It
The sequences in column A are generated by constantly adding 8, 0.2, and
-3, respectively. While in column B, the sequences are generated by
constantly multiplying 8, 0.2, and -3, respectively. Having said that, the arithmetic
sequences are in column A and the geometric sequences are in column B. Let’s take
a look at other sequences and tell whether or not they are arithmetic or geometric.

Illustrative Examples:
Ex. 1. Given 6, -30, 150, -750, ..., identify if it is arithmetic or geometric.
Solution: Check for a common difference or common ratio.
𝑑 = −30 − 6 = −24 𝑟 = −30 ÷ 6 = −5
𝑑 = 150 − (−30) = 180 𝑟 = 150 ÷ (−30) = −5
The sequence has a common ratio, 𝑟 = −5. Therefore, this is geometric.

1 3 9 27 81
Ex. 2. Is the sequence, , , , , , arithmetic or geometric?
5 5 5 5 5
Solution: Check for a common difference or common ratio.
3 1 2 3 1
𝑑= − = 𝑟= ÷ =3
5 5 5 5 5
9 3 4 9 3
𝑑= − = 𝑟= ÷ =3
5 5 5 5 5
The sequence has a common ratio, 𝑟 = 3. Therefore, this is geometric.

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Ex. 3. Consider the sequence 400, 350, 300, 250, …. Is it arithmetic or geometric?
Solution: Check for a common difference or common ratio.
3
𝑑 = 350 − 400 = −50 𝑟 = 350 ÷ 400 =
5
5
𝑑 = 250 − 300 = −50 𝑟 = 250 ÷ 300 =
6
The sequence has a common difference, 𝑑 = −50. Therefore, this is arithmetic.

Ex. 4. Let’s have a sequence defined by 𝑎𝑛 = 5 + 7(𝑛 − 1).

This follows the general rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1) for arithmetic sequences.
Therefore, this is an arithmetic sequence.

Ex. 5. Let’s have a sequence defined by 𝑎𝑛 = 5(10)𝑛−1 .

This follows the general rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 for geometric sequences.
Therefore, this is a geometric sequence.

What’s More
Activity 3. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
Instructions: Identify whether or not the following sequences are arithmetic or
geometric. Then give the common difference (𝑑) or the common ratio (𝑟).

Sequences Arithmetic or Geometric? (𝑑) / (𝑟)

10, 100, 1 000, 10 000, … geometric 𝑟 =10
1. 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, …
2. 29, 49, 69, 89, 109, 129
3. 4, -8, 16, -32, 64, -128, …
4. 243, 81, 27, 9, 3, 1,
4 1 1 2 74
5. , , , , ,,…
30 5 15 3 5 15
6. 18, 13, 8, 3, -2, -7, …
7. 1, 0.6., 0.36, 0.216, 0.1296, …
1 1 1 5 25 125
8. , , , , , ,…
50 10 2 2 2 2
9. 𝑎 , 𝑎 + 𝑏 , 𝑎 + 2𝑏 , 𝑎 + 3𝑏 , 𝑎 + 4𝑏, …
10. √2 , 2, 2√2 , 4 , 4√2 , 8, …
11. 2𝑥 , 2𝑥 2 , 2𝑥 3 , 2𝑥 4 , 2𝑥 5 , 2𝑥 6 , …
12. 𝑎𝑛 = 9 + 40(𝑛 − 1)
13. 𝑎𝑛 = 40(9)𝑛−1

What I Need to Remember

Arithmetic sequences are generated by adding common
differences or 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1). Geometric sequences are generated by
multiplying common ratios or 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 .

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 Lesson Geometric Sequences:
4
Thursday The nth Term

What I Need to Know

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to determine the nth
term of a geometric sequence.

What’s In
You already know that you can get the next term in a sequence by
multiplying the preceding term by the common ratio. But what if you are
only given the first three terms and are asked for the 20th or 50th term in the
sequence? This is where the general rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 will come into place.

What’s New
Given, 1, 2, 4, …, identify the 20th term by continuously multiplying the
common ratio 𝑟 = 2. How long will it take you to get the 20th term? Can
you think of a more convenient way to do it?

What Is It
To easily find the 20th term of the geometric sequence 1, 2, 4, …, we will
use the general rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 , write the general rule of the sequence, and
simply substitute the variables with the given values.

To find the 20th term of the sequence 1, 2, 4, ….

Solution:
First, solve for the common ratio 𝑟.
𝑟 =4÷2
𝑟=2
We know 𝑟 = 2 and the first term 𝑎1 = 1. Replace these values into the formula.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = 1(2)𝑛−1
We are looking for the 20th term and that is 𝑎20 . So, 𝑛 = 20.
𝑎20 = 1(2)20−1
After substituting all the given values, solve for 𝑎20 .
𝑎20 = 1(2)19
𝑎20 = 1(524 288)
𝑎20 = 524 288
Therefore, the 20th term of 1, 2, 4, … is 524 288.

10
Illustrative Examples:

Ex. 1. Consider the sequence, -6, -24, -96, …. Find the 10th term.
Solution: Solve for the common ratio first. 𝑟 = −24 ÷ (−6) = 4
Using 𝑎1 = −6, 𝑟 = 4, replace these values into the formula.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = −6(4)𝑛−1 This is the general rule for this sequence.
We are looking for the 10th term, so replace 𝑛 with 10.
𝑎10 = −6(4)10−1
𝑎10 = −6(4)9
𝑎10 = −6(262 144)
𝑎10 = −1 572 864 Therefore, the 10th term is −1 572 864.

Ex. 2. Find the 6th term of the sequence, 160, 80, 40, ….
1
Solution: Find 𝑟 first. 𝑟 = 80 ÷ 160 =
2
1
We have 𝑎1 = 160, 𝑟 = , and we are looking for the 6th term, 𝑎6 .
2
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
1 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = 160 ( )
2
1 6−1
𝑎6 = 160 ( )
2
1 5
𝑎6 = 160 ( )
2
1
𝑎6 = 160 ( )
32
160
𝑎6 =
32
𝑎6 = 5 Therefore, the 6th term in the sequence is 5.

Ex. 3. Consider the sequence, 3𝑧 3 , 3𝑧 7 , 3𝑧 11 ,… Find the 15th term.

3𝑧7
Solution: First, solve for the common ratio, 𝑟 = 3𝑧 7 ÷ 3𝑧 3 = 3 =𝑧 .
4
3𝑧
We now know that 𝑎1 = 3𝑧 3 , 𝑟 = 𝑧 and we are looking for 𝑎15
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑧 3 (𝑧 3 )𝑛−1
𝑎15 = 3𝑧 3 (𝑧 3 )15−1
𝑎15 = 3𝑧 3 (𝑧 3 )14
𝑎15 = 3𝑧 3 (𝑧 42 )
𝑎15 = 3𝑧 45 Therefore, the 15th term of the sequence is 3𝑧 45 .

Ex. 4. Consider the sequence, √2 , 2√6 , 12√2 ,… Find the 7th term.
Solution: Solve for the common ratio 𝑟 = 12√2 ÷ 2√6 = 2√3.
We now know that 𝑎1 = √2 , 𝑟 = 2√3 and we are looking for 𝑎7
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑛−1
𝑎𝑛 = √2(2√3)
7−1
𝑎7 = √2(2√3)
6
𝑎7 = √2(2√3)
𝑎7 = √2(1 728)
𝑎7 = 1 728√2 Therefore, the 7th term of the sequence is 1 728√2.

11
 Conversely, the same general formula may also be used to find the first term
or 𝑎1 when given the nth terms and/or the common ratio

Ex. 5. What is the first term of the sequence with 𝑎5 = 2 500 and 𝑟 = 5?
Solution: Replace 𝑛 with the position of the given term 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎5 , 𝑛 = 5.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎5 = 𝑎1 (𝑟)5−1
Then replace the given term 𝑎5 = 2 500 and the common ratio 𝑟 = 5.
2 500 = 𝑎1 (5)5−1
After replacing the given values, we can solve for the first term 𝑎1 .
2 500 = 𝑎1 (5)4
2 500 = 𝑎1 (625)
2 500 𝑎1 (625)
=
625 625
4 = 𝑎1
Therefore, the first term is 4.

Ex. 6. Let’s find 𝑎1 of the geometric sequence with 𝑎5 = 128 and 𝑎6 = 512.
Solution: Solve for 𝑟 first. 𝑟 = 512 ÷ 128 = 4
We have 𝑟 = 4. Then substitute the given values and solve for 𝑎1 .
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎6 = 𝑎1 (𝑟)6−1
512 = 𝑎1 (4)5−1
512 = 𝑎1 (4)4
512 = 𝑎1 (256)
512 𝑎1 (256)
=
256 256
2 = 𝑎1
Therefore, the first term is 2.

Ex. 7. Find the first term 𝑎1 of a geometric sequence whose third term is 28 and fifth
term is 112.
28
Solution: If 𝑎3 = 28 then 28 = 𝑎1 𝑟 3−1 , or = 𝑎1
𝑟2
112
If 𝑎5 = 112 then 112 = 𝑎1 𝑟 5−1 , or = 𝑎1 .
𝑟4
Since the right-hand side of both equations are equal, then so are their left-
hand side:
28 112
= Then solve for 𝑟.
𝑟2 𝑟4
𝑟4 112
=
𝑟2 28
𝑟2 =4
√𝑟 2 = √4
𝑟=2
To solve for 𝑎1 , we can use either of the two equations above
28
= 𝑎1 , substitute 𝑟 = 2
𝑟2
28
We get, = 𝑎1
22
28
= 𝑎1
4
7 = 𝑎1
Thus, the first term is 7.

12
 What’s More
Activity 4. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

A. Solve for the indicated term of each geometric sequence below.

_________ 1. 𝑎10 𝑜𝑓 3, 12, 48, … _________ 5. 𝑎10 𝑜𝑓 16 384, 4 096, 1 024, …
_________ 2. 𝑎8 𝑜𝑓 120, 60, 30, 15, … _________ 6. 𝑎9 𝑜𝑓 81, -27, 9, …
_________ 3. 𝑎6 𝑜𝑓 4, 12, 36, … _________ 7. 𝑎10 𝑜𝑓 3, 3√5, 15, 15√5,
_________ 4. 𝑎7 𝑜𝑓 –16, 32, –64, … _________ 8. 𝑎12 𝑜𝑓 5𝑥 2 , 5𝑥 4 , 5𝑥 6 , 5𝑥 8 , …

B. Find the first term of the geometric sequence given the following.

1
1. 𝑎6 = −5, 𝑟 = 2. 𝑎7 = 12.8 , 𝑟 = 2 3. 𝑎2 = 9, 𝑎4 = 81
2

What I Need to Remember

To solve for the nth term of a geometric sequence, use the general
rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 and substitute the variables with the values of the first term
𝑎1 , common ratio 𝑟, and position of the term 𝑛.

Friday
Geometric Sequences:
Assessment
What I can do

Activity 5

A. Instructions: Underline the words/letter in the parenthesis that will make the
entire statement true.
1. A geometric sequence is a sequence wherein each term after the first is obtained
by ( 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 , 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 ) the preceding term by the common ratio.
2. The common ratio is denoted by the variable ( 𝒄 , 𝒓 ).
3. The common ratio can be obtained by dividing a term by the term
( 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 , 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 ) it.
4. The general rule for solving the nth term of a geometric sequence is
𝑎𝑛 = ( 𝒂𝟏 𝒓𝒏−𝟏 , 𝒓𝒂𝟏 𝒏−𝟏 ) .
5. In the formula, 𝑎1 stands for the ( 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕 , 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 ) term in the sequence.

13
B. Complete the columns for each row if the sequence described is geometric.
If NOT, leave the row blank.
First Common
Rule First 3 terms 15th term
term ratio
7, -7, 7

𝑎𝑛 = 10(2)𝑛−1

5
3𝑏
27
80, 60, 40

478 296.9 0.1

𝑎𝑛 = 40 + 5(𝑛 − 1)

C. Read the premise and study the chart. Answer the questions below the chart.

COVID-19 is a highly communicable disease. One can easily get infected by

getting in contact with droplets from an infected person or object.
Imagine this. One infected person continues to roam around and infects two
people. These two people each infects two people. Each of the two people they have
infected also infects two people.

https://bit.ly/2OnMQMP

1. How can you describe the spread of the virus in a mathematical sense?

2. As a student, how will you make use of this awareness?

14
 Assessment (Post Test)

Instructions: Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. How are geometric sequences generated?

A. by multiplying a constant difference to the terms
B. by adding a common difference to the terms
C. by multiplying a common ratio to the terms
D. by adding a constant ratio to the terms

2. Which analogy is TRUE about the general rule of arithmetic and geometric
sequences?
A. Arithmetic : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑟(𝑎1 )𝑛−1 :: Geometric : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑑 + 𝑎1 (𝑛 − 1)
B. Arithmetic : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑑 + 𝑎1 (𝑛 − 1) :: Geometric : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑟(𝑎1 )𝑛−1
C. Arithmetic : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 :: Geometric : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)
D. Arithmetic : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1) :: Geometric : 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1

3. Which of these sequences is geometric?

A. 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, … C. 0.1, 0.02, 0.004, 0.0008, …
B. 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, … D. 0.1, 0.11, 0.111, 0.1111, …

4. Of the formulae below, which describes a geometric sequence?

A. 𝑎𝑛 = 9(10)𝑛−1 C. 𝑎𝑛 = 9(𝑛10 )
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 9 + 10𝑛 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 9 − 10𝑛−1

5. Which of the following is/are in geometric sequence?

I. 5, 1, -3, -7, …
II. 1, -6, 36, -216, …
III. 486, 162, 54, 18, …
A. I only B. II only C. I and II D. II and III

6. To get the next term in the sequence, 24, 48, 96 …, we ______________.

A. add 24 to 96 C. subtract 24 from 96
B. multiply 96 by 2 D. divide 96 by 2

4
7. What is the common ratio of the sequence 12, 4, , …?
3
1 1
A. 4 B. 3 C. D.
3 4

8. In the general rule 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 (𝑟)𝑛−1 , what does 𝑎1 stand for?

A. the first term C. the biggest term
B. the smallest term D. the last term

9. In the sequence 3, -12, 48, -192…, what is 𝑎1 ?

A. 48 B. 3 C. -12 D. -192

15
10. What is the common ratio of the sequence given the rule 𝑎𝑛 = 15(10)𝑛−1 ?
A. 150 B. 15 C. 10 D. 1

11. Which of the formulae below describes the general term of 30, −90, 270…?
A. 𝑎𝑛 = 30(30)𝑛−1 C. 𝑎𝑛 = −30(9)𝑛−1
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 30(−60)𝑛−1 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 30(−3)𝑛−1

12. What is the rule of the sequence that has a common ratio of 4 & starts with 9?
A. 𝑎𝑛 = 9(𝑟)4−𝑛 C. 𝑎𝑛 = 4(𝑛)𝑛−9
B. 𝑎𝑛 = 4(9)𝑛−1 D. 𝑎𝑛 = 9(4)𝑛−1

1
13. What is the 15th term of a geometric sequence if 𝑎1 = 4 096𝑥 and 𝑟 = − ?
2
𝑥 𝑥 1 1
A. B. C. − D. −
4 8 8 4

1
14. What is the first term of the sequence with 𝑟 = and 𝑎11 = −4?
3
A. −2 125 764 B. −236 196 C. 78 732 D. 708 588

15. The 10th term of a sequence is 128 and the 8th term is 32. What is the first term
of the sequence?
A. 0.1 B. 0.25 C. 0.25 D. 0.75

16
 17
Activity 1
Common
Next three terms
Ratio
2. 5 -1 250, -6 250, -31 250
3. 4 192, 768, 3 072
1
4. 18, 6, 2
3
5. 3 108, 324, 972
6. 6𝑘 2 1 296𝑘11 , 7 776𝑘 13 , 46 656𝑘 15
Activity 2.A. Activity 2.B.
Rule First three terms 1. 𝑎𝑛 = 11(3)𝑛−1
2. 𝑎𝑛 = 8(10)𝑛−1 8, 80, 800 1 𝑛−1
2. 𝑎𝑛 = 25 ( )
2
3. 𝑎𝑛 = −10(2)𝑛−1 -10, -20, -40 3. 𝑎𝑛 = −15(−2)𝑛−1
4. 𝑎𝑛 = 5(6)𝑛−1 5, 30, 180 4. 𝑎𝑛 = 0.2(7)𝑛−1
5. 𝑎𝑛 = 4(5)𝑛−1 4, 20, 100 5. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑚𝑛(𝑛)𝑛−1
6. 𝑎𝑛 = 0.5(−4)𝑛−1 0.5, -2, 8
7. 𝑎𝑛 = −3(−2)𝑛−1 -3, 6, -12
Activity 3
1 𝑛−1 Rule (𝑑)/(𝑟)
8. 𝑎𝑛 = −48 ( ) -48, -24, -12
2
𝑛−1
1. geometric 𝑟=1
1 1 √3
9. 𝑎𝑛 = (√3) , , 1 2. arithmetic 𝑑 = 40
3 3 3
10.𝑎𝑛 = 3𝑏(9)𝑛−1 3𝑏, 27𝑏, 243𝑏 3. geometric 𝑟 = −2
11. 𝑎𝑛 = 4𝑥(−𝑧)𝑛−1 4𝑥, −4𝑥𝑧, 4𝑥𝑧 2 1
4. geometric 𝑟=
3
1
Activity 4.A. Activity 4.B. 5. arithmetic 𝑑=
15
1. 𝑎10 = 786 432 1. 𝑎1 = −160 𝑑=5
6. arithmetic
15 2. 𝑎1 = 0.2
2. 𝑎8 = 𝑟 = 0.6
16 7. geometric
3. 𝑎1 = 3
3. 𝑎6 = 972 8. geometric 𝑟=5
4. 𝑎7 = 1 024
9. arithmetic 𝑑=𝑏
1
5. 𝑎 =
10 16 10. geometric 𝑟 = √2
1
6. 𝑎9 = 11. geometric 𝑟=𝑥
81
7. 𝑎10 = 1 875√5 12. arithmetic 𝑑 = 40
8. 𝑎12 = 5𝑥 24 13. geometric 𝑟=9
required.
Remember: This portion of the module contains all the answers. Your HONESTY is
Answer Key
References
Books
Callanta, Melvin M., Allan M. Canonigo, Arnaldo I. Chua, Jerry D. Cruz, Mirla S.
Esparrago, Elino S. Garcia, Aries N. Magnaye, Fernando B. Orines, Rowena S.
Perez, and Concepcion S. Ternida. 2015. Mathematics – Grade 10 Learners'
Module. Pasig: REX Book Store.

Websites
Siyavula. 2006. Siyavula's open Mathematics Grade 12 Textbook, Chapter 1 on
Sequences and Series covering Geometric Sequences. November. Accessed June
30, 2020. https://www.siyavula.com/read/maths/grade-12/sequences-and-
series/01-sequences-and-series-02.
Images
Eisenberg, Joseph. 2020. R0: How scientists quantify the intensity of an outbreak like
coronavirus and predict the pandemic’s spread. February 5. Accessed June 30,
2020. https://theconversation.com/r0-how-scientists-quantify-the-intensity-
of-an-outbreak-like-coronavirus-and-predict-the-pandemics-spread-130777.
Moldofsky, Kim. 2014. Folding Paper. October. Accessed June 30, 2020.
http://bedtimemath.org/how-to-make-papel-picado/papel-picado-folding-
2/.

Congratulations!
You are now ready for the next module. Always remember the following:

1. Make sure every answer sheet has your

 Name
 Grade and Section
 Title of the Activity or Activity No.
2. Follow the date of submission of answer sheets as agreed with your
teacher.
3. Keep the modules with you and return them at the end of the school year
or whenever face-to-face interaction is permitted.

18