# 13.3 Geometric sequences  (Page 3/6)

 Page 3 / 6

Given a geometric sequence with ${a}_{2}=4$ and ${a}_{3}=32$ , find ${a}_{6}.$

${a}_{6}=16,384$

## Writing an explicit formula for the n Th term of a geometric sequence

Write an explicit formula for the $n\text{th}$ term of the following geometric sequence.

The first term is 2. The common ratio can be found by dividing the second term by the first term.

$\frac{10}{2}=5$

The common ratio is 5. Substitute the common ratio and the first term of the sequence into the formula.

$\begin{array}{l}{a}_{n}={a}_{1}{r}^{\left(n-1\right)}\hfill \\ {a}_{n}=2\cdot {5}^{n-1}\hfill \end{array}$

The graph of this sequence in [link] shows an exponential pattern.

Write an explicit formula for the following geometric sequence.

${a}_{n}=-{\left(-3\right)}^{n-1}$

## Solving application problems with geometric sequences

In real-world scenarios involving arithmetic sequences, we may need to use an initial term of ${a}_{0}$ instead of ${a}_{1}.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ In these problems, we can alter the explicit formula slightly by using the following formula:

${a}_{n}={a}_{0}{r}^{n}$

## Solving application problems with geometric sequences

In 2013, the number of students in a small school is 284. It is estimated that the student population will increase by 4% each year.

1. Write a formula for the student population.
2. Estimate the student population in 2020.
1. The situation can be modeled by a geometric sequence with an initial term of 284. The student population will be 104% of the prior year, so the common ratio is 1.04.

Let $P$ be the student population and $n$ be the number of years after 2013. Using the explicit formula for a geometric sequence we get

2. We can find the number of years since 2013 by subtracting.

$2020-2013=7$

We are looking for the population after 7 years. We can substitute 7 for $n$ to estimate the population in 2020.

${P}_{7}=284\cdot {1.04}^{7}\approx 374$

The student population will be about 374 in 2020.

A business starts a new website. Initially the number of hits is 293 due to the curiosity factor. The business estimates the number of hits will increase by 2.6% per week.

1. Write a formula for the number of hits.
2. Estimate the number of hits in 5 weeks.

1. The number of hits will be about 333.

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with geometric sequences.

## Key equations

 recursive formula for $nth$ term of a geometric sequence ${a}_{n}=r{a}_{n-1},n\ge 2$ explicit formula for $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}nth\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ term of a geometric sequence ${a}_{n}={a}_{1}{r}^{n-1}$

## Key concepts

• A geometric sequence is a sequence in which the ratio between any two consecutive terms is a constant.
• The constant ratio between two consecutive terms is called the common ratio.
• The common ratio can be found by dividing any term in the sequence by the previous term. See [link] .
• The terms of a geometric sequence can be found by beginning with the first term and multiplying by the common ratio repeatedly. See [link] and [link] .
• A recursive formula for a geometric sequence with common ratio $r$ is given by $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{a}_{n}=r{a}_{n–1}\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ for $n\ge 2$ .
• As with any recursive formula, the initial term of the sequence must be given. See [link] .
• An explicit formula for a geometric sequence with common ratio $r$ is given by $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{a}_{n}={a}_{1}{r}^{n–1}.$ See [link] .
• In application problems, we sometimes alter the explicit formula slightly to $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}{a}_{n}={a}_{0}{r}^{n}.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ See [link] .

given 4cot thither +3=0and 0°<thither <180° use a sketch to determine the value of the following a)cos thither
what are you up to?
nothing up todat yet
Miranda
hi
jai
hello
jai
Miranda Drice
jai
aap konsi country se ho
jai
which language is that
Miranda
I am living in india
jai
good
Miranda
what is the formula for calculating algebraic
I think the formula for calculating algebraic is the statement of the equality of two expression stimulate by a set of addition, multiplication, soustraction, division, raising to a power and extraction of Root. U believe by having those in the equation you will be in measure to calculate it
Miranda
state and prove Cayley hamilton therom
hello
Propessor
hi
Miranda
the Cayley hamilton Theorem state if A is a square matrix and if f(x) is its characterics polynomial then f(x)=0 in another ways evey square matrix is a root of its chatacteristics polynomial.
Miranda
hi
jai
hi Miranda
jai
thanks
Propessor
welcome
jai
What is algebra
algebra is a branch of the mathematics to calculate expressions follow.
Miranda
Miranda Drice would you mind teaching me mathematics? I think you are really good at math. I'm not good at it. In fact I hate it. 😅😅😅
Jeffrey
lolll who told you I'm good at it
Miranda
something seems to wispher me to my ear that u are good at it. lol
Jeffrey
lolllll if you say so
Miranda
but seriously, Im really bad at math. And I hate it. But you see, I downloaded this app two months ago hoping to master it.
Jeffrey
which grade are you in though
Miranda
oh woww I understand
Miranda
Jeffrey
Jeffrey
Miranda
how come you finished in college and you don't like math though
Miranda
gotta practice, holmie
Steve
if you never use it you won't be able to appreciate it
Steve
I don't know why. But Im trying to like it.
Jeffrey
yes steve. you're right
Jeffrey
so you better
Miranda
what is the solution of the given equation?
which equation
Miranda
I dont know. lol
Jeffrey
Miranda
Jeffrey
answer and questions in exercise 11.2 sums
how do u calculate inequality of irrational number?
Alaba
give me an example
Chris
and I will walk you through it
Chris
cos (-z)= cos z .
cos(- z)=cos z
Mustafa
what is a algebra
(x+x)3=?
6x
Obed
what is the identity of 1-cos²5x equal to?
__john __05
Kishu
Hi
Abdel
hi
Ye
hi
Nokwanda
C'est comment
Abdel
Hi
Amanda
hello
SORIE
Hiiii
Chinni
hello
Ranjay
hi
ANSHU
hiiii
Chinni
h r u friends
Chinni
yes
Hassan
so is their any Genius in mathematics here let chat guys and get to know each other's
SORIE
I speak French
Abdel
okay no problem since we gather here and get to know each other
SORIE
hi im stupid at math and just wanna join here
Yaona
lol nahhh none of us here are stupid it's just that we have Fast, Medium, and slow learner bro but we all going to work things out together
SORIE
it's 12
what is the function of sine with respect of cosine , graphically
tangent bruh
Steve
cosx.cos2x.cos4x.cos8x
sinx sin2x is linearly dependent
what is a reciprocal
The reciprocal of a number is 1 divided by a number. eg the reciprocal of 10 is 1/10 which is 0.1
Shemmy
Reciprocal is a pair of numbers that, when multiplied together, equal to 1. Example; the reciprocal of 3 is ⅓, because 3 multiplied by ⅓ is equal to 1
Jeza
each term in a sequence below is five times the previous term what is the eighth term in the sequence
I don't understand how radicals works pls