Chapter 12: Problem 21
Write the first five terms of each geometric sequence. $$ a_{1}=2, r=3 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first five terms are 2, 6, 18, 54, and 162.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the General Formula for a Geometric Sequence
The general formula for a geometric sequence is given by: \[ a_n = a_1 \times r^{(n-1)} \] where \( a_n \) is the nth term, \( a_1 \) is the first term, \( r \) is the common ratio, and \( n \) is the term number.
02
First Term Calculation
Given \( a_1 = 2 \), the first term is simply \[ a_1 = 2 \]
03
Second Term Calculation
To find the second term, use the formula with \( n = 2 \): \[ a_2 = 2 \times 3^{(2-1)} = 2 \times 3 = 6 \]
04
Third Term Calculation
Use the formula with \( n = 3 \) to find the third term: \[ a_3 = 2 \times 3^{(3-1)} = 2 \times 3^2 = 2 \times 9 = 18 \]
05
Fourth Term Calculation
For the fourth term, use \( n = 4 \): \[ a_4 = 2 \times 3^{(4-1)} = 2 \times 3^3 = 2 \times 27 = 54 \]
06
Fifth Term Calculation
Finally, use the formula with \( n = 5 \) to find the fifth term: \[ a_5 = 2 \times 3^{(5-1)} = 2 \times 3^4 = 2 \times 81 = 162 \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
geometric sequence formula
A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant value called the common ratio. The general formula for a geometric sequence is: \[ a_n = a_1 \times r^{(n-1)} \] where:
It's like a mathematical recipe that takes an input (term number) and gives an output (term value).
- \(a_n\) = the nth term of the sequence
- \(a_1\) = the first term of the sequence
- \(r\) = the common ratio
- \(n\) = the term number.
It's like a mathematical recipe that takes an input (term number) and gives an output (term value).
common ratio
The common ratio \( r \) is a key element in geometric sequences. It is the factor that each term is multiplied by to get the next term.
Identifying the Common Ratio:
Identifying the Common Ratio:
- Given a sequence, you can find the common ratio by dividing any term by the previous term.
- For example, if the first term is 2 and the second term is 6, then \( r = \frac{6}{2} = 3 \).
- In our example, the common ratio is 3, meaning each term is three times the previous term.
term calculation
Calculating Terms in a Geometric Sequence involves using the geometric sequence formula. Let's calculate the first five terms of the sequence with first term \(a_1=2\) and common ratio \(r=3\):
First Term:
First Term:
- The first term is given: \(a_1=2\).
- Using the formula with \(n=2\): \(a_2=2 \times 3^{(2-1)} = 6\).
- Using the formula with \(n=3\): \(a_3=2 \times 3^{(3-1)}=18\).
- Using the formula with \(n=4\): \(a_4=2 \times 3^{(4-1)} = 54\).
- Using the formula with \(n=5\): \(a_5=2 \times 3^{(5-1)} = 162\).