Chapter 9: Problem 12
Evaluate the following geometric sums. $$\sum_{k=1}^{5}(-2.5)^{k}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Answer: The sum of the geometric sequence is \(-70.46875\).
Step by step solution
01
Write the geometric sum formula
To evaluate the geometric sum, we will use the formula:
$$S_n = a_1\frac{1 - r^n}{1 - r}$$
Where \(S_n\) is the sum of the geometric sequence, \(a_1\) is the first term, \(r\) is the common ratio, and \(n\) is the number of terms.
02
Identify values of \(a_1\), \(r\), and \(n\)
In our given sum, we have:
$$\sum_{k=1}^{5}(-2.5)^{k}$$
The first term is \(a_1 = -2.5^1 = -2.5\), the common ratio is \(r = -2.5\), and the number of terms is \(n=5\).
03
Substitute values into the geometric sum formula
Now, we will substitute the values of \(a_1\), \(r\), and \(n\) into the sum formula:
$$S_n = -2.5\frac{1 - (-2.5)^5}{1 - (-2.5)}$$
04
Simplify the expression
First, we have to find the value of \((-2.5)^5\). Since it is an odd power, the result will be negative, and we have:
$$(-2.5)^5 = -(2.5)^5 = -97.65625$$
Now, we can simplify the expression:
$$S_n = -2.5\frac{1 - (-97.65625)}{1 - (-2.5)}$$
$$S_n = -2.5\frac{1 + 97.65625}{3.5}$$
$$S_n = -2.5\frac{98.65625}{3.5}$$
05
Calculate final sum
Finally, divide the numerator and the denominator and multiply the result by -2.5 to find the sum \(S_n\):
$$S_n = -2.5\left(\frac{98.65625}{3.5}\right) = -2.5(28.1875)$$
$$S_n = -70.46875$$
So, the sum of the given geometric sequence is \(S_5 = -70.46875\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Sum Formula
In mathematics, geometric sequences have a neat formula to evaluate the sum of their terms. This special formula comes in handy, especially when calculating sums with a finite number of terms. The geometric sum formula is given by:\[ S_n = a_1\frac{1-r^n}{1-r} \]where:
- \( S_n \) represents the sum of the geometric sequence.
- \( a_1 \) is the first term of the sequence.
- \( r \) is the common ratio between successive terms.
- \( n \) indicates the number of terms in the sequence.
Common Ratio
The common ratio is a fundamental part of understanding geometric sequences. It is a consistent multiplier between each term of the sequence. Let's elaborate on it using our exercise's example.Take the sequence defined by the summation \( \sum_{k=1}^{5}(-2.5)^{k} \). Here, each successive term is calculated by multiplying the preceding term by \(-2.5\). Hence, the common ratio \( r \) is \(-2.5\).
- The common ratio helps determine how quickly the sequence grows or shrinks.
- If \(|r| < 1\), the sequence terms decrease in magnitude as you progress.
- If \(|r| > 1\), the sequence terms expand significantly.
Sequence Terms
Geometric sequences comprise terms that follow a pattern established by a constant ratio. Each term can be computed by multiplying the previous term by the common ratio. Considering our problem, the sequence turns out as:
- \(-2.5\)
- \((-2.5)^2 = 6.25\)
- \((-2.5)^3 = -15.625\)
- \((-2.5)^4 = 39.0625\)
- \((-2.5)^5 = -97.65625\)
Evaluating Sums
When evaluating the sum of a geometric sequence, it's essential to correctly apply the formula with identified values. In our example, the geometric sum formula is used with the identified first term \( a_1 = -2.5 \), common ratio \( r = -2.5 \), and number of terms \( n = 5 \).Substituting these into the equation:\[ S_n = -2.5\frac{1 - (-2.5)^5}{1 - (-2.5)} \]We performed the calculations:
- Calculate the power: \((-2.5)^5 = -97.65625\)
- Simplify the expression: \[ S_n = -2.5\frac{98.65625}{3.5} \]
- Compute the fraction: \( \frac{98.65625}{3.5} = 28.1875\)
- Find the final sum: \( S_n = -2.5 \times 28.1875 = -70.46875 \)