Exponential Recursion Task

Name:_______________________________

Date:___________

In this task, we will focus on how to be able to work with geometric sequences in order to
develop explicit and recursive formulas. We will then practice converting formulas from explicit
to recursive and from recursive to explicit. Lastly, we will look at some application scenarios
involving exponential recursion and how they relate to geometric sequences.
Recognizing a Pattern
First we need to recall how to identify whether or not a sequence is geometric. Remember
that we identified a sequence as arithmetic as long as we had a common difference between
terms. Geometric sequences will also have a pattern in between terms, however, that pattern will
now be shown through the multiplication of a ratio.
1. In each of the following sequences, tell whether the sequence is geometric, identify the
next term, and identify the common ratio that is multiplied to get your next term.
a. 2, 6, 18, 54,
b. 32, 16, 8, 4,
c. 4, 7, 10, 13,
1 1
, ,1, 2,...
d. 4 2

e. 1, -2, 4, -8,
Developing an Explicit Formula
Now that we can identify a geometric sequence and the common ratio that coincides with
( n 1)
the sequence, we can try to write an explicit formula. We can use the formula: an a1 gr
,
where a1 first term , r = common ratio, and n = the numbered term you are looking for.
2. Come up with an explicit formula for the following geometric sequences.
a. 2, 6, 18, 54,
b. 32, 16, 8, 4,

c.

1 1
, ,1, 2,...
4 2

d. 1, -2, 4, -8,

Using an Explicit Formula

Similar to an explicit formula with linear recursion, an explicit formula is useful in trying
to find a term far away from the first term. We can use the formula and simply plug in the term
number we want to know.
3. Use the explicit formulas that you created in problem 2 to identify the 10th, 15th, and 20th
term for each sequence. HINT: Plug in 10 for n when you are looking for the 10th
term
a

2, 6, 18, 54, formula: ______________ 10th: ______ 15th: ______ 20th: ______

32, 16, 8, 4, formula: ______________ 10th: ______ 15th: ______ 20th: ______

1 1
, ,1, 2,...
4 2

formula: ______________ 10th: ______ 15th: ______ 20th: ______

d 1, -2, 4, -8, formula: ______________ 10th: ______ 15th: ______ 20th: ______
Understanding the Recursive Formula
Similar to a recursive formula with linear recursion, a recursive formula for exponential
recursion requires you to know the previous term and the common ratio.
4. In order to develop the recursive formula, we need to know the common ratio (r) and the
first term ( a1 ). We will then plug those variable in to the formula, a1 ____; an r gan 1 .
Develop recursive formulas for the following geometric sequences.
a. 2, 6, 18, 54, a1 = _______

& formula: ______________

b. 32, 16, 8, 4, a1 = _______

& formula: ______________

c.

1 1
, ,1, 2,... a
1 = _______
4 2

d. 1, -2, 4, -8, a1 = _______

& formula: ______________

& formula: ______________

5. When would using each formula be the best choice?

a. Explicit:
b. Recursive:

6. What two things do you need to know in order to use each formula?
Recursive to Explicit
Now that we know how to come up with both formulas, we need to attempt to convert
from one formula to the other. First, we will convert from recursive to explicit.
7. Convert the following recursive formulas into explicit formulas.
a. a1 3; an 2gan 1
1
a1 12; an gan 1
3
b.

c. a1 2; an 4gan 1
Explicit to Recursive
We can also covert the other way, from explicit to recursive. Remember the only two
things we need to know for an explicit formula is the first term and the common ratio.
8. Convert the following explicit formulas into recursive formulas.
( n 1)
a. an 12g5

1
an 2g
2
b.

( n 1)

( n 1)
c. an 2g2

Application Problems
Lastly, we need to use what we have learned and apply it to application problems.
9. The local petting zoo is worried that their rabbit population is getting too big to house.
The first year they were in business, the petting zoo had 4 rabbits. The rabbit population
multiplies times 3 every year.
a. How many rabbits will the petting zoo have in year 2 and year 3?
b. Write an explicit formula and a recursive formula that represents the scenario.

c. If the petting zoo can only hold 100 rabbits, how many years can they be in business until
they have too many rabbits?

10. Mr. Moore and Mr. Branson were doing an experiment. They went to the roof of the
school and dropped a ball to the ground and watched it bounce. When the ball bounced,
the return height of the ball was half of the previous height. The height of the roof is 24
feet.
a. Write a recursive and explicit formula that represents the scenario.
b. How many bounces would it take until the ball stopped bouncing?
c. Write out the return height of the ball after the first bounce, the second bounce, and the
third bounce.
d. If they bounced another ball at the same time that had a return height that was 1/3 of the

previous height, how much higher would they have to initially drop the ball in order for
the two balls to be at the same height after the first bounce?