Chapter 13: Problem 34
Find the sum of the first five terms of the sequence. $$b_{n}=2^{-n}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The sum is \( \frac{31}{32} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Sequence and Terms
The sequence given is \( b_n = 2^{-n} \). This means the terms are \( b_1 = 2^{-1} \), \( b_2 = 2^{-2} \), \( b_3 = 2^{-3} \), \( b_4 = 2^{-4} \), and \( b_5 = 2^{-5} \). Our goal is to find the sum of these first five terms.
02
Calculate Each Term
Let's calculate each term of the sequence:- \( b_1 = 2^{-1} = \frac{1}{2} \)- \( b_2 = 2^{-2} = \frac{1}{4} \)- \( b_3 = 2^{-3} = \frac{1}{8} \)- \( b_4 = 2^{-4} = \frac{1}{16} \)- \( b_5 = 2^{-5} = \frac{1}{32} \)
03
Add the Calculated Terms
Sum the first five terms: \[ \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{8} + \frac{1}{16} + \frac{1}{32} \] Find a common denominator, which is 32, and convert each fraction:- \( \frac{1}{2} = \frac{16}{32} \)- \( \frac{1}{4} = \frac{8}{32} \)- \( \frac{1}{8} = \frac{4}{32} \)- \( \frac{1}{16} = \frac{2}{32} \)- \( \frac{1}{32} = \frac{1}{32} \) Now add them:\[ \frac{16}{32} + \frac{8}{32} + \frac{4}{32} + \frac{2}{32} + \frac{1}{32} = \frac{31}{32} \]
04
Conclusion
The sum of the first five terms of the sequence \( b_n = 2^{-n} \) is \( \frac{31}{32} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding a Geometric Sequence
In a geometric sequence, each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. This is what makes geometric sequences distinct from other types of sequences. The sequence provided in our exercise is special because it features fractions: the terms are powers of two with negative exponents.
This means each term is found by dividing by the base number (2), rather than multiplying by a whole number.
This means each term is found by dividing by the base number (2), rather than multiplying by a whole number.
- The first term is typically denoted as \( a \). In our scenario, \( a = \frac{1}{2} \).
- The common ratio \( r \) in this sequence is also \( \frac{1}{2} \), because each term is half of the previous term.
- The formula for the nth term of a geometric sequence is \( a_n = a \cdot r^{n-1} \). In the given sequence, it simplifies to \( b_n = 2^{-n} \).
Sequence Calculation Basics
Finding the sum of a geometric sequence involves calculating each term separately and then summing them up. In this exercise, we started by identifying each term using the formula \( b_n = 2^{-n} \).
For example:
For example:
- \( b_1 = 2^{-1} = \frac{1}{2} \)
- \( b_2 = 2^{-2} = \frac{1}{4} \)
- \( b_3 = 2^{-3} = \frac{1}{8} \)
- \( b_4 = 2^{-4} = \frac{1}{16} \)
- \( b_5 = 2^{-5} = \frac{1}{32} \)
Simplifying Through Fraction Addition
Adding fractions can seem daunting, but with a common denominator, it becomes a straightforward process.
In our sequence, each term is a fraction: \( \frac{1}{2} \), \( \frac{1}{4} \), \( \frac{1}{8} \), \( \frac{1}{16} \), \( \frac{1}{32} \). To add these fractions efficiently, we use the least common denominator (LCD), which in this case is 32. Here's how each fraction converts to have a denominator of 32:
In our sequence, each term is a fraction: \( \frac{1}{2} \), \( \frac{1}{4} \), \( \frac{1}{8} \), \( \frac{1}{16} \), \( \frac{1}{32} \). To add these fractions efficiently, we use the least common denominator (LCD), which in this case is 32. Here's how each fraction converts to have a denominator of 32:
- \( \frac{1}{2} = \frac{16}{32} \)
- \( \frac{1}{4} = \frac{8}{32} \)
- \( \frac{1}{8} = \frac{4}{32} \)
- \( \frac{1}{16} = \frac{2}{32} \)
- \( \frac{1}{32} = \frac{1}{32} \)