Chapter 10: Problem 15
Write the first five terms of each geometric series. $$a_{1}=\frac{2}{3} \quad r=\frac{1}{2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first five terms are: \( \frac{2}{3}, \frac{1}{3}, \frac{1}{6}, \frac{1}{12}, \frac{1}{24} \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Formula for a Geometric Series
In a geometric series, each term can be found by multiplying the previous term by a common ratio, denoted as \( r \). The general formula for the \( n \)-th term of a geometric series is: \[ a_{n} = a_{1} imes r^{n-1} \] where \( a_{1} \) is the first term, and \( n \) is the term number.
02
Calculate the First Term
The first term \( a_{1} \) is given as \( \frac{2}{3} \). Therefore, the first term of the series is \( \frac{2}{3} \).
03
Calculate the Second Term
To find the second term \( a_{2} \), use the formula:\[ a_{2} = a_{1} imes r = \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{3} \]
04
Calculate the Third Term
Now, calculate the third term \( a_{3} \) using the formula:\[ a_{3} = a_{2} imes r = \frac{1}{3} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{6} \]
05
Calculate the Fourth Term
Next, find the fourth term \( a_{4} \) using:\[ a_{4} = a_{3} \times r = \frac{1}{6} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{12} \]
06
Calculate the Fifth Term
Finally, calculate the fifth term \( a_{5} \) using:\[ a_{5} = a_{4} \times r = \frac{1}{12} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{1}{24} \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Common Ratio
A common ratio is a key element in understanding geometric sequences. It is the factor by which we multiply one term to get the next term in the sequence. The common ratio is constant throughout a geometric sequence, which makes geometric sequences predictable and easy to analyze. Let's understand more about the nature of the common ratio:
- If the common ratio is greater than 1, the terms of the sequence will increase.
- If the common ratio is between 0 and 1, as in this exercise where the common ratio is \( \frac{1}{2} \), the terms will decrease.
- If the common ratio is negative, the terms will alternate in sign, creating a back-and-forth pattern.
Geometric Sequence
A geometric sequence is a list of numbers where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero value called the common ratio. In this exercise, we have:
- First term \( a_1 = \frac{2}{3} \).
- Common ratio \( r = \frac{1}{2} \).
Nth Term Formula
The nth term formula in a geometric sequence is a powerful tool that allows us to find any term in the sequence without listing all the previous terms. The formula is:\[ a_n = a_1 \times r^{n-1} \]Where:
- \( a_n \) is the nth term.
- \( a_1 \) is the first term of the sequence.
- \( r \) is the common ratio.
- \( n \) is the term number.