GEOMETRIC

SEQUENCES
 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.
 Welook for multiplication to identify
geometric sequences.

WHAT IS A GEOMETRIC
SEQUENCE?
1, -6, 36, -216
yes. Common ratio=-6

2, 4, 6, 8
no. No common ratio
EX: DETERMINE IF THE SEQUENCE IS
GEOMETRIC. IF SO, IDENTIFY THE
COMMON RATIO
 IMPORTANT FORMULAS FOR
GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE:
Recursive Formula Explicit Formula

an = (an – 1 ) r an = a1 * r n-1
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
 First term: a1 = 7
Common ratio = 1/3
EX: WRITE THE EXPLICIT
FORMULA FOR EACH
SEQUENCE
Explicit:
an = a1 * r n-1

Now find the first five

terms:
a1 = 7(1/3) (1-1) = 7
a2 = 7(1/3) (2-1) = 7/3
a3 = 7(1/3) (3-1) = 7/9
a4 = 7(1/3) (4-1) = 7/27
a5 = 7(1/3) (5-1) = 7/81
EXPLICIT GEOMETRIC 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

Find the common ratio

Common ratio = 3 between the values.

a19 = 11 (3) (19-1) Plug in known values

a19 = 11(3)18 =4,261,626,379 Simplify

LET’S 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

Find the common ratio

Common ratio = -6 between the values.

a10 = 1 (-6) (10-1) Plug in known values

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

 Example 3: Application

A ball is dropped from a

tower. The table shows Bounce Height (cm)
the heights of the balls 1 300
bounces, which form a
geometric sequence. 2 150
What is the height of the 3 75
6th bounce?
an = a1 * r n-1
150 75
300 = ½ 150
= ½ a = 300 * (1/2)5
6

The value of r is 1/2 75/8 = 9.375

 Check It Out! Example 3

The table shows a car’s

value for 3 years after it
Year Value ($)
is purchased. The values
form a geometric 1 10,000
sequence. How much 2 8,000
will the car be worth in
the 10th year? 3 6,400
10,000 8,000 6,400

The value of r is
0.8.