Mathematics 10 (Module 3) Geometric Sequence

A sequence is a geometric sequence if consecutive terms have a

common ratio.
Unit 1 In symbols
Geometric Sequence and Series 2, 6 , 18 , 54, …
Observe the following
t1 = 2
t2 = 2(3) = t1r
t3 = 2(3)(3) = 2(32)= t1r2
t4 = 2(3)(3)(3) = t1r3
Therefore, for any nth term
tn = t1rn-1

To find an expression for the sum of the first n terms, consider the
geometric series S
S = t1 + t1r + t1r2 + t1r3 + t1r3 + … t1rn-1 Equation 1
Name
Multiply both sides of the equation by r.
r(S) = r(t1 + t1r + t1r2 + t1r3 + t1r3 + … t1rn-1)
Grade/Section rS = t1r + t1r2 + t1r3 + t1r3 + t1r4 … + t1rn-1 + t1rn Equation 2
Subtract the Equation 1 and 2
S = t1 + t1r + t1r2 + t1r3 + t1r3 + … t1rn-1
rS = t1r + t1r2 + t1r3 + t1r3 + t1r4 … + t1rn-1 + t1rn
Prepared by:
S – rS = t1 + … - t1rn
Mr. Jhon Robert S. Clavo
Subject Teacher
Solving this result tn = t1rn-1
S(1 – r) = t1 – t1rn t4 = t1r4-1
( – ) 256 = t1r3
S= –
= t1
Formula for Geometric sequence and series
• tn = t1rn-1 = t1
( – ), t1 = 4
• Sn = where r 1
–
t2 = 4(4) = 16 t3 = 16(4) = 64
Example 1:
Therefore the first 3 terms of the geometric sequence are 4, 16 and 64
Find the 20th term of the geometric sequence 2, 6 , 18 , 54, …
For the sum of first 4 terms;
Solution
t1 = 4, r=4 , n=4
r= , r = = 3, t1 = 2, n = 20
( – )
Sn = –
tn = t1rn-1
( – )
t20 = 2(320-1) S4 = –
t20 = 2(319) ( – )
= = = = 340
t20 = 2(1,162,261,467) = 2,324,522,934 –

Example 2: Activity 3

The 4th term of a geometric sequence is 256 and the 6th term is 4096. Find 1. The 5th term of a geometric sequence is 243 and the 7th term is 2187.
the first 3 terms and the sum of first 4 terms. Find the first 3 terms and the sum of first 4 terms

Solution: t4 = 256, t6 = 4096 2. Find the 15th term of the geometric sequence
2, 6 , 18 , 54, …
t4 = t1r3 t6 = t1r5
Assignment:
256 = t1r3 4096 = t1r5
I. Find the first 4 terms of each geometric sequence
-divide the 4096 by 256 and t1r5 by t1r3 to cancel the t1
1. ,
2
16 = r 4=r
2. ,

3. ,

II. Find the nth term of each geometric sequence.

1. , ,

2. , ,

3. , ,