Chapter 12: Problem 70
Determine the largest value of \(n\) that satisfies the inequality. $$\sum_{k=1}^{n} 3(0.5)^{k} \leq 2.8$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The largest value of n is 3.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Summation
The expression \( \sum_{k=1}^{n} 3(0.5)^k \) is a geometric series with the first term \( a = 3(0.5)^1 = 1.5 \) and the common ratio \( r = 0.5 \). Our task is to find the largest integer \( n \) such that the sum of this series is less than or equal to 2.8.
02
Formula for the Sum of a Finite Geometric Series
The sum of the first \( n \) terms of a geometric series is given by \( S_n = a \frac{1-r^n}{1-r} \). In this case, \( a = 1.5 \) and \( r = 0.5 \), hence, \[ S_n = 1.5 \frac{1-(0.5)^n}{0.5} = 3(1-(0.5)^n). \]
03
Set Up the Inequality
We need to solve the inequality \[ 3(1-(0.5)^n) \leq 2.8. \] First, simplify the inequality by dividing both sides by 3:\[ 1 - (0.5)^n \leq \frac{2.8}{3}. \]
04
Solve the Simplified Inequality
Next, calculate \( \frac{2.8}{3} = 0.9333\ldots \) which can be approximately considered as 0.933. Subtract 1 from both sides of the inequality \[ -(0.5)^n \leq -0.067 \] and multiplying by -1, we get\[ (0.5)^n \geq 0.067. \]
05
Finding the Largest n
To find the largest \( n \), use logarithms. Taking the logarithm (base 10) of both sides gives:\[ n \log_{10}(0.5) \geq \log_{10}(0.067). \] This simplifies to \[ n \leq \frac{\log_{10}(0.067)}{\log_{10}(0.5)}. \] Calculate these values: \( \log_{10}(0.067) \approx -1.173 \) and \( \log_{10}(0.5) \approx -0.301 \). Thus, \( n \leq \frac{-1.173}{-0.301} \approx 3.90. \) Since \( n \) must be an integer, the largest possible value is \( n = 3. \)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Series
A geometric series is a sequence of terms where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number known as the common ratio. The series can be represented as:
- First term: \( a \)
- Common ratio: \( r \)
- General term: \( ar^{n-1} \)
Inequalities
Inequalities represent a range of values rather than a specific number, showing that one side is either less than, greater than, equal to, or a combination with another value. In this task, the inequality is expressed as the sum of a geometric series.
- Given inequality: \( 3(1-(0.5)^n) \leq 2.8 \)
- This equation sets an upper limit for the range of sum values \( S_n \).
- Main goal: find the largest integer \( n \) that satisfies this condition.
Logarithms
Logarithms are the opposite operation of exponentials and are useful for solving equations where the variable is in an exponent. In simpler terms, a logarithm answers the question: "To what power must we raise one number to obtain another number?"
- Notation: \( \, \log_b(x) \)
- In this exercise, we use base 10 log for convenience.
Summation
Summation is a way of adding up a sequence of numbers, typically expressed with the Greek letter sigma \( \Sigma \). It provides a compact way to express large sums. For a geometric series, the sum of the first \( n \) terms is given by the formula:
- \( S_n = a \frac{1-r^n}{1-r} \)
- Where \( a \) is the first term and \( r \) is the common ratio.