GEOMETRIC MEAN

Can you give the missing numbers if each

sequence is geometric?
5, ____, 80
 12, ___, 3
 3, ____, _____, ____, 48
Geometric Mean
Geometric mean is a term
between any two terms of a
geometric sequence
The geometric mean
between two numbers a and
b is ±√ab.
Examples
Find the geometric mean between
a. 5 and 20
g.m. = ±√5(20) = ±10
b. 9 and 16
g.m. = √9(16) = ±12
c. 1/3 and 27
g.m. = √(1/3)(27 = ± 3
d. 2/3 and 24
g.m. =√(2/3)(24) = ±4
e. ½ and 1/8
g.m. = √(1/2)(1/8) = ±1/4
Geometric Means
To find 2 or more geometric means
between any two terms of a geometric
sequence, find the common ratio and
use this to find the geometric means.
Common ratio =
Example 1
Insert 2 geometric means between -22 and -176
Solution
r= = = =2

Since r = 2, the geometric means are -44 and -88

Example 2
Insert 3 geometric means between 10 and 810
Solution
r= = = = ±3

Since r = ±3, the geometric means are 30, 90, and

270 or -30, 90, and – 270.
Example 3
Give the missing numbers.
5, _ 20___, 80
12, _6__, 3
3, _±_6__, _12____, _±24___, 48