11.

3 Geometric
Sequences

What is a Geometric Sequence?

In

a geometric sequence, the ratio

between consecutive terms is
constant. This ratio is called the
common ratio.
Unlike in an arithmetic sequence, the
difference between consecutive
terms varies.
We look for multiplication to
identify geometric sequences.

Ex: Determine if the sequence is geometric.

If so, identify the common ratio
1,

-6, 36, -216

yes. Common ratio=-6

2,

4, 6, 8
no. No common ratio

Important Formulas for

Geometric Sequence:

Recursive Formula
an = (an 1 ) r

Where:
an is the nth term in the
sequence
a1 is the first term
n is the number of the term
r is the common ratio

Explicit Formula
an = a1 * r n-1

Geometric Mean

Find the product of

the two values and
then take the square
root of the answer.

Lets start with the geometric mean

Find

the geometric mean between

3 and 48

Lets try one: Find the geometric mean

between 28 and 5103

Ex: Write the explicit formula for

each sequence
First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3
Explicit:

an = a1 * r n-1

Now find the first five

terms:

a1
a2
a3
a4
a5

=
=
=
=
=

7(1/3)
7(1/3)
7(1/3)
7(1/3)
7(1/3)

(1-1)
(2-1)
(3-1)
(4-1)
(5-1)

=
=
=
=
=

7
7/3
7/9
7/27
7/81

Explicit Arithmetic Sequence Problem

Find the 19th term in the sequence of
11,33,99,297 . . .
an = a1 * r n-1

Start with the explicit sequence formula

Common ratio = 3
a19 = 11 (3) (19-1)
a19 = 11(3)18 =4,261,626,379

Find the common ratio

between the values.
Plug in known values

Simplify

Lets try one

Find the 10th term in the sequence of
1, -6, 36, -216 . . .
an = a1 * r n-1

Start with the explicit sequence formula

Common ratio = -6
a10 = 1 (-6) (10-1)
a10 = 1(-6)9 = -10,077,696

Find the common ratio

between the values.
Plug in known values

Simplify