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Section exercises

Verbal

What is a geometric sequence?

A sequence in which the ratio between any two consecutive terms is constant.

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How is the common ratio of a geometric sequence found?

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What is the procedure for determining whether a sequence is geometric?

Divide each term in a sequence by the preceding term. If the resulting quotients are equal, then the sequence is geometric.

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What is the difference between an arithmetic sequence and a geometric sequence?

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Describe how exponential functions and geometric sequences are similar. How are they different?

Both geometric sequences and exponential functions have a constant ratio. However, their domains are not the same. Exponential functions are defined for all real numbers, and geometric sequences are defined only for positive integers. Another difference is that the base of a geometric sequence (the common ratio) can be negative, but the base of an exponential function must be positive.

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Algebraic

For the following exercises, find the common ratio for the geometric sequence.

1 , 3 , 9 , 27 , 81 , ...

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0.125 , 0.25 , 0.5 , 1 , 2 , ...

The common ratio is 2

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2 , 1 2 , 1 8 , 1 32 , 1 128 , ...

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For the following exercises, determine whether the sequence is geometric. If so, find the common ratio.

6 , 12 , 24 , 48 , 96 , ...

The sequence is geometric. The common ratio is 2.

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5 , 5.2 , 5.4 , 5.6 , 5.8 , ...

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1 , 1 2 , 1 4 , 1 8 , 1 16 , ...

The sequence is geometric. The common ratio is 1 2 .

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6 , 8 , 11 , 15 , 20 , ...

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0.8 , 4 , 20 , 100 , 500 , ...

The sequence is geometric. The common ratio is 5.

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For the following exercises, write the first five terms of the geometric sequence, given the first term and common ratio.

a 1 = 5 , r = 1 5

5 , 1 , 1 5 , 1 25 , 1 125

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For the following exercises, write the first five terms of the geometric sequence, given any two terms.

a 6 = 25 , a 8 = 6.25

800 , 400 , 200 , 100 , 50

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For the following exercises, find the specified term for the geometric sequence, given the first term and common ratio.

The first term is 2, and the common ratio is 3. Find the 5 th term.

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The first term is 16 and the common ratio is 1 3 . Find the 4 th term.

a 4 = 16 27

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For the following exercises, find the specified term for the geometric sequence, given the first four terms.

a n = { 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 , ... } . Find a 12 .

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a n = { 2 , 2 3 , 2 9 , 2 27 , ... } . Find a 7 .

a 7 = 2 729

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For the following exercises, write the first five terms of the geometric sequence.

a 1 = 486 , a n = 1 3 a n 1

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a 1 = 7 , a n = 0.2 a n 1

7 , 1.4 , 0.28 , 0.056 , 0.0112

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For the following exercises, write a recursive formula for each geometric sequence.

a n = { 1 , 5 , 25 , 125 , ... }

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a n = { 32 , 16 , 8 , 4 , ... }

a = 1 32 , a n = 1 2 a n 1

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a n = { 14 , 56 , 224 , 896 , ... }

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a n = { 10 , 3 , 0.9 , 0.27 , ... }

a 1 = 10 , a n = 0.3 a n 1

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a n = { 0.61 , 1.83 , 5.49 , 16.47 , ... }

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a n = { 3 5 , 1 10 , 1 60 , 1 360 , ... }

a 1 = 3 5 , a n = 1 6 a n 1

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a n = { 2 , 4 3 , 8 9 , 16 27 , ... }

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a n = { 1 512 , 1 128 , 1 32 , 1 8 , ... }

a 1 = 1 512 , a n = 4 a n 1

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For the following exercises, write the first five terms of the geometric sequence.

a n = 4 5 n 1

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a n = 12 ( 1 2 ) n 1

12 , 6 , 3 , 3 2 , 3 4

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For the following exercises, write an explicit formula for each geometric sequence.

a n = { 2 , 4 , 8 , 16 , ... }

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a n = { 1 , 3 , 9 , 27 , ... }

a n = 3 n 1

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a n = { 4 , 12 , 36 , 108 , ... }

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a n = { 0.8 , 4 , 20 , 100 , ... }

a n = 0.8 ( 5 ) n 1

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a n = { 1.25 , 5 , 20 , 80 , ... }

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a n = { 1 , 4 5 , 16 25 , 64 125 , ... }

a n = ( 4 5 ) n 1

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a n = { 2 , 1 3 , 1 18 , 1 108 , ... }

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a n = { 3 , 1 , 1 3 , 1 9 , ... }

a n = 3 ( 1 3 ) n 1

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For the following exercises, find the specified term for the geometric sequence given.

Let a 1 = 4 , a n = 3 a n 1 . Find a 8 .

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Let a n = ( 1 3 ) n 1 . Find a 12 .

a 12 = 1 177 , 147

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For the following exercises, find the number of terms in the given finite geometric sequence.

a n = { 1 , 3 , 9 , ... , 2187 }

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a n = { 2 , 1 , 1 2 , ... , 1 1024 }

There are 12 terms in the sequence.

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Graphical

For the following exercises, determine whether the graph shown represents a geometric sequence.

Graph of a scattered plot with labeled points: (1, -0.5), (2, 0.25), (3, 1.375), (4, 3.0625), and (5, 5.5938). The x-axis is labeled n and the y-axis is labeled a_n.

The graph does not represent a geometric sequence.

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For the following exercises, use the information provided to graph the first five terms of the geometric sequence.

a 1 = 3 , a n = 2 a n 1

Graph of a scattered plot with labeled points: (1, 3), (2, 6), (3, 12), (4, 24), and (5, 48). The x-axis is labeled n and the y-axis is labeled a_n.
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a n = 27 0.3 n 1

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Extensions

Use recursive formulas to give two examples of geometric sequences whose 3 rd terms are 200.

Answers will vary. Examples: a 1 = 800 , a n = 0.5 a n 1 and a 1 = 12.5 , a n = 4 a n 1

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Use explicit formulas to give two examples of geometric sequences whose 7 th terms are 1024.

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Find the 5 th term of the geometric sequence { b , 4 b , 16 b , ... } .

a 5 = 256 b

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Find the 7 th term of the geometric sequence { 64 a ( b ) , 32 a ( 3 b ) , 16 a ( 9 b ) , ... } .

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At which term does the sequence { 10 , 12 , 14.4 , 17.28 ,   ... } exceed 100 ?

The sequence exceeds 100 at the 14 th term, a 14 107.

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At which term does the sequence { 1 2187 , 1 729 , 1 243 , 1 81   ... } begin to have integer values?

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For which term does the geometric sequence a n = 36 ( 2 3 ) n 1 first have a non-integer value?

a 4 = 32 3 is the first non-integer value

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Use the recursive formula to write a geometric sequence whose common ratio is an integer. Show the first four terms, and then find the 10 th term.

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Use the explicit formula to write a geometric sequence whose common ratio is a decimal number between 0 and 1. Show the first 4 terms, and then find the 8 th term.

Answers will vary. Example: Explicit formula with a decimal common ratio: a n = 400 0.5 n 1 ; First 4 terms: 400 , 200 , 100 , 50 ; a 8 = 3.125

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Is it possible for a sequence to be both arithmetic and geometric? If so, give an example.

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Questions & Answers

how does the planets on our solar system orbit
cheten Reply
how many Messier objects are there in space
satish Reply
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Richard Reply
what are astronomy
Issan Reply
Astronomy (from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία (astronomía) 'science that studies the laws of the stars') is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.
Rafael
vjuvu
Elgoog
what is big bang theory?
Rosemary
what type of activity astronomer do?
Rosemary
No
Richard
the big bang theory is a theory which states that all matter was compressed together in one place the matter got so unstable it exploded releasing All its contents in the form of hydrogen
Roaul
I want to be an astronomer. That's my dream
Astrit
Who named the the whole galaxy?
Shola Reply
solar Univers
GPOWER
what is space
Richard
what is the dark matter
Richard
what are the factors upon which the atmosphere is stratified
Nicholas Reply
is the big bang the sun
Folakemi Reply
no
Sokak
bigbang is the beginning of the universe
Sokak
but thats just a theory
Sokak
nothing will happen, don't worry brother.
Vansh
what does comet means
GANGAIN Reply
these are Rocky substances between mars and jupiter
GANGAIN
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases , rock and dust that orbit the sun. They are mostly found between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
Aarya
hllo
John
hi
John
qt rrt
John
r u there
John
hey can anyone guide me abt international astronomy olympiad
sahil
how can we learn right and true ?
Govinda Reply
why the moon is always appear in an elliptical shape
Gatjuol Reply
Because when astroid hit the Earth then a piece of elliptical shape of the earth was separated which is now called moon.
Hemen
what's see level?
lidiya Reply
Did you mean eye sight or sea level
Minal
oh sorry it's sea level
lidiya
according to the theory of astronomers why the moon is always appear in an elliptical orbit?
Gatjuol
hi !!! I am new in astronomy.... I have so many questions in mind .... all of scientists of the word they just give opinion only. but they never think true or false ... i respect all of them... I believes whole universe depending on true ...থিউরি
Govinda
hello
Jackson
hi
Elyana
we're all stars and galaxies a part of sun. how can science prove thx with respect old ancient times picture or books..or anything with respect to present time .but we r a part of that universe
w astronomy and cosmology!
Michele
another theory of universe except big ban
Albash Reply
how was universe born
Asmit Reply
there many theory to born universe but what is the reality of big bang theory to born universe
Asmit
what is the exact value of π?
Nagalakshmi
by big bang
universal
there are many theories regarding this it's on you believe any theory that you think is true ex. eternal inflation theory, oscillation model theory, multiple universe theory the big bang theory etc.
Aarya
I think after Big Bang!
Michele
from where on earth could u observe all the stars during the during the course of an year
Karuna Reply
I think it couldn't possible on earth
Nagalakshmi
in this time i don't Know
Michele
is that so. the question was in the end of this chapter
Karuna
in theory, you could see them all from the equator (though over the course of a year, not at pne time). stars are measured in "declination", which is how far N or S of the equator (90* to -90*). Polaris is the North star, and is ALMOST 90* (+89*). So it would just barely creep over the horizon.
Christopher
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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