Geometric Sequences

What is a Geometric Sequence?

 In a geometric sequence, the ratio
between consecutive terms is
constant. This ratio is called the
common ratio.
 Unlike in an arithmetic sequence, the
difference between consecutive
terms varies.
 We look for multiplication to
identify geometric sequences.
Ex: Determine if the sequence is geometric.
If so, identify the common ratio
 1,
-6, 36, -216
yes. Common ratio=-6

 2,4, 6, 8
no. No common ratio
 Important Formulas for
Geometric Sequence:
 Recursive Formula  Explicit Formula
an = (an – 1 ) r an = a1 * r n-1

Where:
an is the nth term in the
sequence
a1 is the first term
n is the number of the term
r is the common ratio
 Ex: Write the recursive formula for
each sequence
First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3

Recursive: an = an-1 * r an = an-1 * (1/3)

a1 = 7
Now find the first five
a2 = 7(1/3) = 7/3
terms:
a3 = 7/3(1/3) = 7/9
a4 = 7/9(1/3) = 7/27
a5 = 7/27(1/3) = 7/81
 Ex: Write the explicit formula for
each sequence
First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3

Explicit: an = a1 * r n-1

a1 = 7(1/3) (1-1)
= 7
Now find the first five
a2 = 7(1/3) (2-1)
= 7/3
terms:
a3 = 7(1/3) (3-1)
= 7/9
a4 = 7(1/3) (4-1)
= 7/27
a5 = 7(1/3) (5-1)
= 7/81
 Recursive Geometic Sequence Problem
Find the 5th and 6th term in the
sequence of 11,33,99,297 . . .

an = an-1 * r Start with the recursive sequence

formula

Find the common ratio

Common ratio = 3 between the values.

a5 = 297 (3) = 891 Plug in known values

a6 = 891(3) = 2673 Simplify

 Explicit Geometic Sequence Problem
Find the 19th term in the sequence of
11,33,99,297 . . .

an = a1 * r n-1 Start with the explicit sequence formula

Find the common ratio

Common ratio = 3 between the values.

a19 = 11 (3) (19-1) Plug in known values

a19 = 11(3)18 =4,261,626,379 Simplify

 Let’s try one
Find the 10th term in the sequence of
1, -6, 36, -216 . . .

an = a1 * r n-1 Start with the explicit sequence formula

Find the common ratio

Common ratio = -6 between the values.

a10 = 1 (-6) (10-1) Plug in known values

a10 = 1(-6)9 = -10,077,696 Simplify