LESSON NO.

3: Geometric Sequence and Series

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
 Define geometric sequence, series and mean;
 Identify whether a sequence is geometric or not; and
 Solve problems involving geometric sequence and series.

Overview

You already know sequences in which a certain number is added to each term get the
next to term. Now, we will explore sequences in which a certain number is multiplied to
each term to get the next term. These sequences are called geometric sequences.

Geometric Sequence – A sequence where a number r,

called the common ratio, exists such that multiplying the previous term by r results in the
next term.
Geometric Series - The sum of the terms of a geometric sequence.
Geometric Mean – The square root of the product of any two positive numbers a and b .
Infinite Geometric Series – The sum of the terms of an infinite geometric sequence.

Let’s start the lesson by an activity that will test your knowledge about identifying the ratio
between two terms. This will later help you understand our lesson.
Find the number which is multiplied to the first number to get the second number.
_______1) 2, 8 _______2) -3, 9
1
_______3) 1, _______4) −5, 10
2
_______5) 12, 4 _______6) -49, 7
In geometric sequence, the ratio between consecutive terms is constant. Unlike in
arithmetic sequence, the difference between consecutive terms varies. The information
sheet will give you more information about geometric sequence.

A certain organism is known to double in population every hour. If the initial amount of
the population is 50. How much will the population be after 5 hours?
The population of the organism gives an example of a geometric sequence. The
population is expected to grow continuously, but unlike an arithmetic sequence, it does not grow
at a constant rate.
A geometric sequence is a sequence wherein the terms have a common ratio, denoted by
an
r. That is, for any value of n, =r .
an−1
Example 1: The sequence 2, 6, 18, 54, . . . is a geometric sequence. The common ratio is
6 18
= =3.
2 6
Let us derive a formula for finding the nt h term of a geometric sequence. Recall that to
find a term in a geometric sequence, we multiply the previous term by the common ratio.
a 1=a1
a 2=a1 r

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a 3=a2 r=( a1 ) r=a 1 r 2

a 4=a3 r =( a1 r 2 ) r =a1 r 3

a 5=a 4 r =( a ¿ ¿ 1r 3) r=a 1 r 4 ¿
Can you see a pattern?
What is the formula for find the nth term in a geometric sequence?
Note that the exponent r is always one less than the number of terms.
The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by: a n=a1 r n−1 ,r ≠ 0

Example 2: Find the 10th tern of the geometric sequence with a first term of 3 and a common
ration of 2.
Solution:
Based on the given information, a 1=3 and r =2. Plugging these values into the formula, we
have the following equation.
a 10=3(2)9
a 10=3 (512 ) =1, 536
Note: When the exponential term is extremely large, such as 2100 , it is conventionally acceptable
to leave your answer in exponential form.
Geometric Series
Just like in an arithmetic sequence, it is also possible to determine the sum of the 1 st n terms
of a geometric sequence. This sum is referred to as the geometric series, also denoted Sn .
The geometric series is given by the following formula.
(1−r n )
Sn=a1 [ 1−r ]
Let’s see why this formula makes sense.

Sn=a1 +a2 +a 3+ …+an

For a geometric sequence, we have the following equation.
Sn=a1+a 1 r +a 1 r 2 +…+ a1 r n−1 (1)
Multiplying the equation by r gives us the resulting equation.
rS n=a1 r + a1 r 2 + a1 r n −1 +a 1 r n (2)
Subtracting the 2 equations, (1)-(2), we have:
Sn=a1 +a1 r +a1 r 2 +…+a 1 r n−1
rS n=a1 r + a1 r 2 + …+ a1 r n−1+ a1 r n
Sn−rS n=a1 a1 r n
Sn ( 1−r ) =a1−a1 r n
Isolating Sn on one side of the equation gives us the formula.
a 1−a1 r n
Sn = , r ≠1
1−r
Example 1: Find the sum of the first 12 terms of 3, 6, 12, . . .
Solution:
The given sequence is a geometric sequence with a 1=3 and r =2.

S12=
[ 3−3 ( 2 )2 ]
( 1−2 )
S12=12 , 285
Therefore, the sum of the 1st 12 terms of the sequence is 12,285.
665
Example 2: The sum of the first 6 terms of a geometric sequence is . If the common ratio is
27
2
, find the 1st term.
3

Mathematics 10 Page 2
Solution:
2
2
665
=
[ ( )]
a1−a1
3
27
(1− 23 )
( 665 1
27 )( 3 ) [ 72964 )]
=a 1−(
1

665 665
=a (
81 1
729 )
a 1=9
Therefore, the first term of the sequence is 9.
Try This!
Determine whether or not the following sequences are geometric. If it is geometric, give the
common ratio. Otherwise, write NG on the blank.
_______1. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
_______2. x ,2 x , 3 x , 4 x
_______3. 4, 4, 4, 4, . . .
_______4. 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, . . .
_______5. 10, -10, 10, -10,. . .
Geometric Mean
The geometric mean between any two positive numbers a and b is the square root of their
product.
√ abpositive geometric mean of aand b
−√ ab negative geometric mean a and b

Example 1: Find the positive geometric mean of the following:

a. 4 and 16 b. 12 and 108
Solutions: a. GM ¿ √ 4 ∙ 16 b. GM ¿ √ 60 ∙15
¿ √ 64 ¿ √ 900
¿8 ¿ 30
The geometric mean between 4 and 16 is 8.
The geometric mean between 60 and 15 is 30.
Example 2: Insert 3 geometric means between 2 and 162.
Solution: 2, ____, _____, _____, 162
First, we find the geometric mean between 162 and 2.
√ 162∙ 2= √324=18
Now we have 2, ___, 18,_____, 162.
Next, we look for the geometric mean between 2 and 18.
√ 18 ∙2= √ 36=6
6
The ratio is 3 since =3. We can now complete the sequence as:
2
2, 6, 18, 54, 162
Infinite Geometric Series
Suppose a piece of rope 2 feet long is cut in half. Suppose that this process could go on an
infinite number of times. If all the halves are taken and put back together, what is the length of
the rope that could be made out of them?
This problem illustrates an infinite geometric series. It is a geometric because there is a
1
common ratio of , since each part is halved. The first term is 1, which is half the original length
2
of the rope. We say that the series is infinite because we assume that the process can be
continued an infinite number of times.
Recall that a geometric series is given by the formula below:
a 1−a1 r n
Sn = , r ≠1
1−r

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 If r ≥1 , the sum will increase without bound as n increase, since there will be an infinite
number of terms. Thus, the infinite geometric series will not exist.
If r <−1 , it will not be possible to determine the infinite geometric series, either. Can you
explain why?
If |r|< 1, observe what happens to the term a 1 r n as n increases. Consider a proper fraction
1 1 n
like . What happens to the value of
2 ()
2
as n increases? Consider the values of

1 5 1 10 1 50 1 100
()() () ()
2
,
2
,
2
,
2
. We can see that n increases without bound, the value could be

approximated as 0. It follows, then, that term a 1 r n also approaches 0.

Therefore, an infinite geometric series, denoted by S∞ , is given by the following formula:
a1
S∞ = , where |r|< 1
(1−r )
Keep in mind that this formula implies that the infinite geometric series will exist only if the
absolute value of the ratio is less than 1. Otherwise, we say that the series cannot be determined.
Applying the formula to the given formula to the given problem, we have the following
equation.
1
2
S∞ =
1
( )
1−
2
S∞ =2
This answer is logical, because we expect to arrive at the original length of the rope when we
put together all of its halved parts.
1 1 1 1 1
Example 1: Evaluate + + + + + …
2 4 8 16 32
Solution:
1 1
This given series is an geometric series with a= and r = . Since |r|< 1, the series exists.
2 2
Using the formula for an infinite geometric series, we have the following.
1
S∞ =
() 2
1
( )
1−
2
S∞ =1
As expected, the sum of the fractions is 1.
Example 2: A pendulum of a grandfather clock is released. On the first swing, it travels a
9
distance of 20 inches. On each succeeding swing, it travels a total of the distance of the
10
previous swing. What is the total distance traveled by the pendulum?
Solution:
Consider the following table.
n
(number of 1 2 3 4
swings)
a n (distance) 20 20(0.9) 20(0.9)(0.9) 20 (0.9)3

Thus, we have an infinite geometric sequence with a 1=20 and a common ratio of 0.9. The
total distance traveled is represented by the infinite geometric series.
20
S∞ = =200
(1−0.9)
So, the pendulum traveled a total of 200 inches.

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 Now let’s have some exercises that will test what you have learned in our lesson. The
activities will help you master our lesson even more.
Activity 1 : Let’s Practice!
I. Determine whether each sequence is arithmetic or not. If it is arithmetic, give the
common difference. Otherwise, write NA on the blank.
_________________1. 12, 19, 26, 33,. . .
_________________2. 5, -5, 5,-5, . . .
1 1 1
_________________3. 2, , , , . . .
2 4 8
II. Tell whether the situation produces an arithmetic sequence, geometric sequence, or
neither. Write it on the blank.
1. A baby gains 60 grams every week. __________________________________
2. A car’s value depreciates by 20% every year. __________________________
Activity 2: Keep Practicing!
Identify each sequence as arithmetic, geometric, or neither. Find the next three terms of
the sequence.
1. 4, 8, 32, 256, . . .
Answer: ____________________________________________________________

2. 6, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, . . .

Answer: ____________________________________________________________

3. 1.1, 1.01, 1.001, . ..

Answer: ___________________________________________________________

4. 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, . . .

Answer: ___________________________________________________________
Activity 3: Apply your skills!
Solve each of the following problems completely. Write your answer with complete solution in
the box.

1. The geometric mean between the first two terms in a geometric sequence is 32. If the
third term is 4, find the first term.

Solution:

1
2. Insert a geometric mean between k and .
k
Solution:

Mathematics 10 Page 5
 3. If 2 and 3 are two geometric means between m and n, find the values of m and n.
Solution:

References
Nivera, G., Lapinid, M., (2018). Grade 10 Mathematics Patterns and Practicalities . Antonio
Arnaiz cor. Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. Don Basco Press, Inc.
Callanta, M., G., Canonigo, A., (2015). Mathematics Learner’s Module unit 1 . 5th Floor Mabini
Building, DepEd Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City , Philippines 1600.
Department of Education-Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (DepEd-IMCS).

Mathematics 10 Page 6