Republic of the Philippines

10 Department of Education
Division of Pagadian City

Mathematics
Quarter 1 – Module 8:
Finding the nth term of a geometric
sequence

Learning Activity Sheets

(Extracted/Modified from CO/RO10 SLMs)

Name of Learner:
Grade & Section:
Teacher:

DO_Q1_Mathematics 10_ Module 8

 Lesson 1: Finding the nth term of a
geometric sequence

What I Know

Answer the following problems in your mathematics activity notebook.

1. The geometric sequence that has fourth term 4.05 and first term –
0.15. Find the common ratio.
2. Find the 5th term of a geometric sequence in which the third term is
648 and the common ratio is 3.
3. What is the 6th term of the geometric sequence
4. What is the next term in the geometric sequence 4, –16, 64, ___?
5. Find the missing terms in a geometric sequence 13, –39, __, __, 1
053, __

What’s New

Let’s explore
1. Find the next four terms of 4, 12, 36, 108,…

Solution and Discussion

Solution Discussion
12 ÷ 4 = 3 To find the common ratio, divide
36 ÷ 12 = 3 any term after the first by the
r=3 preceding term. So, 12 divided by
4 is 3 and 36 divided by 12 is also
3. The common ratio is 3.
108 • 3 = 324 After finding the common ratio.
324 • 3 = 972 Multiply the last term of the
972 • 3 = 2 916 sequence by 3. So, 108 multiply
2916 • 3 = 8 748 by 3 is 324, 324 multiply by 3 is
972 and continue multiplying
until the next four terms are
obtained.
Therefore, the next four terms of
the sequence are 324, 972, 2 916
and 8 748.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
 2. The barangay Captain plans to call a meeting. The barangay Captain
send a messenger to relay the message. In every minute, the
messenger can relay to three persons.

1. Complete the table below.

Time in 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
minutes
No. of 1
persons

2. Write the sequence formed by the number of persons who received the
message in 7 minutes. Is there a pattern to obtain the number of
persons?
3. Is the sequence an arithmetic sequence? If not, what sequence do you
think? Why?
4. How many persons received the message in eight minutes?

Solutions and Discussion

To complete the table above, follow the following steps below.

Question 1

Step Time (in Number of Discussion

minutes) person/s
1. Identify the 0 1 In 0 minute the number of
given on the person is only one it’s the
situations. In messenger who knows about
one minute, the meeting.
the
messenger
can relay to
3 persons.

Step Time (in Number of Discussion

minutes) person/s
2. Identify what 1 1• 3=3 The operations to be used is
operation to multiplication. In order to
use in finding find in one minute, the
the person/s messenger can relay the
in every message in three persons. 1
minute/s to multiply by 3 is 3.
be inform in

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
 the meeting.
3. multiply the 2 3•3=9 Three is the product from
previous the previous minute and 3 is
number of the the common number. 3
product by multiply by 3 is 9. So, in 2
the common minutes the messenger
number relays the message to 9
persons.
4. Do step 3 with 3 9 • 3 = 27 In 3 minutes, 9 multiply by
its preceding 3 is 27.
value.
4 27 • 3 = 81 In 4 minutes, 27 multiply by
3 is 81.
5 81 • 3 = 243 In 5 minutes, 81 multiply by
3 is 243.
6 243 • 3 = 729 In 6 minutes, 243 multiply
by 3 is 729.
7 729 • 3 = 2187 In 7 minutes, 729 multiply
by 3 is 2187.
8 2187 • 3 = In 8 minutes, 2187 multiply
6561 by 3 is 6561.

Question 2

Based on the table on question 1, the sequence of the number of

persons who received the message after every minute are 3, 9, 27, 81, 243,
729, 2187, 6561.

Notice that each term after the first is found by multiplying a constant
3 to its preceding term.

Question 3

The sequence 3, 9, 27, 81, 243, 729, 2187, and 6561 is not an arithmetic
sequence since there is no common difference. Each term after the first is
determined by multiplying a common 3 to its preceding term. Then the
sequence is geometric.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
Question 4

As shown by the table, there are 6 561 individuals who received the
message in 8 minutes.

Time in 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
minutes
No. of 1 3 9 27 81 243 729 2187 6561
persons

Let’s try this

A. Find the missing terms in each geometric sequence.

1. 4, 12, 36, ___, ___.

2. ___, ___, 36, 72, 144
3. 972, 324, 108, ___, ___, ___.
4. 5, ___, 80, 320, ___, ___.
5. ___, 6, 12, 24, ___, ___.
6. – 4, ___, ___,–108, –324, ___.
7. 3 125, ___, ___, –25, 5.
8. 64, 16, ___, ___, .
9. ___, ___,___, 27, 81.
10. 9x2, ___, 9x6, 9x8, ___.

B. Determine the indicated term in each geometric sequence.

11. 4, 2, 1, … 12th term

12. 12, 24, 48, … 10th term
13. –6, 18, –54, 162,… 9th term
14. , 4, 28, 196,… 12th term
15. , 2, 10, 20,… 11th term

What Is It

The nonzero constant is the common ratio in a geometric sequence is

denoted by r. if a1 is the first term, then the second term is a 1r, the third
term is a1r2, and so on. We can write a general formula for the nth term of a
geometric sequence as follows:

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
 The nth term an of an geometric sequence with
the first term a1 and the common ratio r is
given by
an = a1rn-1,
where n is a counting number.

Example 1: Find the 8th term of the geometric sequence 8, 12, 18,…

Solution: To find the common ratio by dividing the any term in the sequence
by the term that precedes it.

Let substitute the value of a1 = 8, r = , and n= 8 in the nth term formula to

find the a8.
an = a1rn-1 Step 1. Use the general formula for geometric
sequence.

a8 = 8( )8-1 Step 2. Substitute values for a1, n, and r in the

formula.

a8 = 8( )7 Step 3. Apply the Product law of exponents.

a8 = 8( ) Step 4. Get the product of 8 and ( )

a8 = ( ) -Result of the product

Therefore, the 8th term is ( ).

Example 2: Find the ninth term of a geometric sequence in which the second
term is 21 and the common ratio is 3.

Solutions:

Method 1: To find the ninth term, start with the second term and
multiplying the Common ratio in the proceeding term.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
a2= 21 Step 1. Start with 2nd term which is 21.
a3= 21(3) = 63 Step 2. Find the 3rd term. Get the product of 21 and
3 is 63.
a4= 63(3) = 189 Step 3. Find the 4th term. Get the product of 63 and
3 is 189.
a5= 189(3) = 567 Step 4. Find the 5th term. Get the product of 189 and
3 is 567.
a6= 567(3) = 1 701 Step 5. Find the 6th term. Get the product of 567 and
3 is 1 701.
a7= 1 701(3) = 5 Step 6. Find the 7th term. Get the product of 1 701
103 and 3 is
5 103.
a8= 5 103(3) = 15 Step 7. Find the 8th term. Get the product of 5 103
309 and 3 is
15 309.
a9= 15 309(3) = 45 Step 8. Find the 9th term. Get the product of 15 309
927 and 3 is
45 927.

Method 2 : First, we let to find the first term a1 where the given is a2 = 21 and
r = 3.

an = a1rn-1 Step 1. Use the general formula for geometric sequence.

a2 = a1r2-1 Step 2. Apply the Product law of exponents.

21 =a1(3) Step 3. Substitute the a2 = 21 and r = 3.then multiply both

by .

7 =a1 Step 4. The first term is 7.

Use the formula an = a1rn-1 to solve for a9.

a9 = 7(3)9-1 Step 1. Apply the Product law of exponents.

=7(3)8 Step 2. Substitute the a1 = 7 and r = 3.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
 =7(6 561) Step 3. Get the product of 7 and 6 561

=45 927 to get 45 927.

Thus, 9th term of the sequence is 45 927.

Note: If you have already understand the examples proceed to the next
section Below.

What’s More

Let do this …

Exercise 1. Solve the following individually. Show your solutions.

1. Write the first six terms of a geometric sequence in which first term is
36 and common ratio is 4.
2. Determine the common ratio r of an increasing geometric sequence,
for which the first term is – 2 and the third term is – 32 .
3. What is the twelve term of geometric sequence ...

Exercise 2. Analyze and solve. Show your solutions in your mathematics

activity notebook.

4. What is the 12th term of a geometric sequence if a1 = 45 and the

common ratio is r = 0.2.
5. Find the nth term rule of the geometric sequence – 625, – 325, – 225,
…
6. Determine the common ratio r of an increasing geometric sequence,
for which the first term is 4 and the third term is 195.
7. Write the first five terms of a geometric sequence in which first term is
3 and common ratio is 7.
8. Find the sixth term for the geometric sequence that has first term – 3

and common ratio .

9. What is the common ratio for the geometric sequence that has first
term 3 and fifth term 48.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
 10. Apply the formula for the nth term of the geometric sequence 18, 6,

2, , . . . to verify a1, a2, a3.

11. Find the nth term rule of the geometric sequence , – 2, 8, …

12. Find the 24th term of the geometric sequence whose third and
seventh terms are – 2 and – 32, respectively.

Exercise 3. Analyze and solve. Show your solutions in your mathematics

activity notebook.

13. John purchases of drinking glasses. He pays Php 28.00 for the first
set, Php 56.00 for the second, Php 112.00 for the third and so on.
How much will John pay for the thirteen set?
14. What is the eleventh term of a geometric sequence whose second
term is 22 and the fourth term is 88?
15. Rachel deposits Php 500.00 in a savings bank. If an interest of 7% is
added to the principal at the end of each year, how much is his
account at the end of 8 years?

What I Have Learned

Solve the following problems.

1. What is the common ratio of the geometric sequence 2, – 6 , 18, …?

2. Find the common ratio r of a geometric sequence in which the first is
5 and second term is 15.
3. Determine the common ratio r of an increasing geometric sequence,
for which the first term is 5 and the third term is 20.
4. Find the common ratio r of an alternating geometric sequence a n, for
which
a1 =125, a2 = - 25, and a3= 5.
5. Find the fourth term of a geometric sequence, whose first term is 2
and the common ratio is 3.

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
What I Can Do

Solve each problem below. Show your solutions.

1. Find the 10th term of the geometric sequence whose third and seventh
terms are – 2 and – 32, respectively.
2. Rebecca inherited some land worth Php 50,000.00 that has increased
its value of 5% per year. How much will the land be worth in 10
years?
3. A farmer buys a new tractor for Php 75 000.00. if the tractor
depreciates in value by about 6% per year.
a. How much will be worth after 10 years?
b. How much will be worth after 15 years?
4. The initial population of chicken on a farm was 40. The population
increased by 5% each week. How many chickens were present after 20
weeks?
5. The population of rats in a farm at the beginning of 2018 was 560.
The population has been steadily decreasing by 4% per year. Find the
population in the beginning of year 2022.

Assessment

Directions: choose the letter of the correct answer from the items that follow.
1. What is the next term in the geometric sequence 11, –22, 44, ___?
A. – 78 B. 88 C. – 88 D. – 98

2. If two geometric means are inserted between 3 and –24, find the
second geometric mean.
A. 6 B. – 6 C. 12 D. – 12

3. What is the 5th term of the geometric sequence –4, –1,

A. B. C. D.
4. Find the eight term of a geometric sequence where the third is 8 and
the common ratio is 2.
A. 162 B. 256 C. 128 D. 512

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
5. Find the 5th term of the geometric sequence 375,75, 15, …?
A. B. C. D. 1

6. Insert three geometric means between and 196. What is the second
geometric mean?
A. 4 B.16 C. 24 D. 28

7. Find the common ratio of the geometric sequence whose first term is 2
and its fifth term is 1 250.
A. 2 B. 4 C. 5 D. 6

8. Find the 9th term of the geometric sequence 1024, 512, 256,…
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8

9. Find the 9th term of a geometric sequence in which the third term is
81 and the common ratio is 3 .
A.58 049 B. 58 490 C. 59 490 D. 59 049

10. Determine the common ratio when a2 = 243 and a5 = 9.

A. B. C. D.

11. The geometric mean between the first three terms in a geometric
sequence is 28. If the third term is 4, find the first term.
A. 56 B. 64 C. 96 D. 196

12. If three geometric means are inserted between – 48 and –3. What is
the second geometric mean?
A. –12 B. –18 C. –16 D.
–8

13. The geometric sequence that has fourth term 384 and first term 6.
Find the common ratio.
A. 6 B. 4 C. 3 D. 2

14. What is the general nth term for a geometric sequence with a 1 = and
r = 2?
A. an = (2)n B. an = 5(2)n-1
C. an = (2)n-1 D. an = 5(2)n

15. Jonel an antique collector has a table that costs P5 000.00. If its
value increases by 5% each year. What is its value after 8 years?
A. 4 035.50 B. 5 035.50 C. 6 035.50 D. 7 035.50

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8
Assessment

Directions: choose the letter of the correct answer from the items that follow.

1. If three geometric means are inserted between 13 and 208, find the
second geometric mean.
A. 75 B. 52 C. 104 D. 26
2. Insert two geometric means between 4 750 and 38. What is the
second geometric means?
A. 152 B. 180 C. 190 D. 950
3. Find the 8 term of a geometric sequence in which the third term is
th

36 and the common ratio is – 3.

A. 8 485 B. – 8 485 C. – 8 845 D. 8 845

4. The geometric mean between the first two terms in a geometric

sequence is 567. If the third term is 1 701, find the first term.
A. 189 B. 119 C. 198 D.
185
5. If the three means are inserted between 8 and . What is the second
geometric mean?
A. B. C. D.

Development Team of the Module

Department of Education- Region X
Development Team of the Module
Author : Gerwin B. Balairos
Reviewers : Rhodel A. Lamban, Teodoro P. Casiano, Elbert R. Francisco
Illustrator : Gerwin B. Balairos
Layout Artist : Gerwin B. Balairos
Management Team: Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III, Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr. CESO V,
Randolph B. Tortola , Shambaeh A. Usman, Mala Epra B. Magnaong,
Neil A. Improgo, Bienvenido U. Tagolimot, Jr., Elbert R. Francisco,
Rhodel A. Lamban, Rejynne Mary L. Rui, Jeny B. Timbal,
Shella O. Bolasco
Pagadian SDO: Math G10 Quarter 1 Module 8 – Weeks 8

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DO_Q1_ Mathematics 10_ Module 8