Chapter 9: Problem 2
In Exercises 1–6, write the first five terms of the sequence. $$ a_{n}=\left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^{n} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first five terms of the sequence are -2/5, 4/25, -8/125, 16/625, and -32/3125.
Step by step solution
01
Calculate the first term (\(a_1\))
Replace \(n\) with 1 in the given formula to find the first term. We get: \(a_1 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^1 = -\frac{2}{5}\)
02
Calculate the second term (\(a_2\))
Replace \(n\) with 2 in the formula. We get: \(a_2 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^2 = \frac{4}{25}\)
03
Calculate the third term (\(a_3\))
Replace \(n\) with 3 in the formula. We get: \(a_3 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^3 = -\left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^3 = -\frac{8}{125}\)
04
Calculate the fourth term (\(a_4\))
Replace \(n\) with 4 in the formula. We get: \(a_4 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^4 = \left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^4 = \frac{16}{625}\)
05
Calculate the fifth term (\(a_5\))
Replace \(n\) with 5 in the formula. We get: \(a_5 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^5 = -\left(\frac{2}{5}\right)^5 = -\frac{32}{3125}\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Geometric Sequence
A geometric sequence is a list of numbers where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number. This fixed number is known as the common ratio. For the sequence given in the exercise, the formula \(a_n = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^n\) helps determine the sequence, and the common ratio here is \(-\frac{2}{5}\). Each term comes from the multiplication of the preceding term by \(-\frac{2}{5}\).
Some key points about geometric sequences:
Some key points about geometric sequences:
- The common ratio is consistent for all terms.
- They can grow or shrink, depending on whether the common ratio is greater or less than one.
- Geometric sequences only require the first term and the common ratio to generate subsequent terms.
Term Calculation
Calculating each term in a sequence involves substituting values into a formula. For geometric sequences, this process is straightforward. Let's look at how term calculations work for \(a_n = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^n\).
Here's the step-by-step process:
For example, to find the third term (\(a_3\)), replace \(n\) with 3 in the formula: \(a_3 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^3 = -\frac{8}{125}\). This pattern follows for all subsequent terms.
Here's the step-by-step process:
- Identify the term number \(n\).
- Substitute this \(n\) into the sequence formula.
- Solve the exponential expression for the specified term.
For example, to find the third term (\(a_3\)), replace \(n\) with 3 in the formula: \(a_3 = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^3 = -\frac{8}{125}\). This pattern follows for all subsequent terms.
Exponential Expression
Exponential expressions play a crucial role in geometric sequences. In the sequence \(a_n = \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)^n\), each term is derived from raising the base \(-\frac{2}{5}\) to the nth power. Here's how you handle exponential expressions:
Key steps involve:
Key steps involve:
- Understand the base and exponent: The base is the constant multiplied repeatedly, while the exponent indicates how many times to multiply.
- Maintain the negative sign: If the base is negative, it affects the sign of the term, particularly for odd exponents.
- Calculate systematically: Raise the base to the given power to find the specific term value.
Series in Mathematics
In mathematics, a series can be understood as the sum of terms of a sequence. While our focus is on sequences, knowing about series helps connect the dots.
Here's what to keep in mind:
Here's what to keep in mind:
- A series involves adding elements of a sequence together.
- Geometric series in particular, arise from geometric sequences.
- The sum of terms in a geometric series can be determined using specific formulas if the series is finite.