GEOMETRIC SEQUENCE

You learned that a sequence whose consecu�ve terms have a common difference is an arithme�c sequence. In this sec�on
we discuss geometric sequences, where successive terms have a common ra�o. In other words, each term is found by
mul�plying the previous term by the same constant. The sequence 4,12,36,108,... is geometric because each term is found
by mul�plying the previous term by 3

DEFINITION Geometric Sequence

A sequence is geometric when the ratios of consecutive terms are the same. So,
the sequence a1 , a2 , a3 , a4 ,..., an ,... is geometric when there is a number r such
2 a a3 a4
that = = = = ... r , r ≠ 0 .
a1 a2 a3
an +1
Because = r , the number r is the common ratio of the sequence.
an

Identifying the Common Ratio in Geometric Sequence

Find the common ratio for each geometric sequence.
1. 5, 20,80,320,...
1 1 1
2. 1, − , , − ,...
2 4 8
3. −10,50, −250,1250,...

1. Label the terms a1 = 5 , a2 = 20 , a3 = 80 , a4 = 320 ,…

an +1 a2 20
Find the ratio r = r
= = = 4
an a1 5
a3 80
r
= = = 4
a2 20
a4 320
r
= = = 4
a3 80
The common ratio is 4 .
1 1 1
2. Label the terms a1 = 1 , a2 = − , a3 = , a4 = − ,…
2 4 8

The first step to dividing fractions is to find the reciprocal (reverse the numerator and denominator) of the
second fraction. Next, multiply the two numerators. Then, multiply the two denominators. Finally, simplify the
fractions if needed.
1
an +1 −
a2 1
Find the ratio r = r= = 2= −
an a1 1 2
1
a3 1 1
r= = 4 = ⋅ −2 = −
a2 − 1 4 2
2
1
−
a4 1 1
r = = 8 =− ⋅ 4 =−
a3 1 8 2
4
 1
The common ratio is − .
2

3. Label the terms a1 = −10 , a2 = 50 , a3 = −250 , a4 = 1250 ,…

an +1 a2 50
Find the ratio r = r= = = −5
an a1 −10
a3 −250
r= = = −5
a2 50
a4 1250
r= = = −5 , The common ratio is −5 .
a3 −250

GEOMETRIC
SEQUENCE EXERCISES

(1 whole sheet of paper.)

A. Find the common ra�o.

1. 2, 4,8,16,... 1 1 1
6. 1, − , , − ,...
2. −1,1, −1,1,... 2 4 8
3. 3,12, 48,192,... 8
7. 9, −6, 4, − ,...
4. 5,15, 45,135,... 3
5. 1, −2, 4, −8,... 8. 27, −9,3, −1,...
3 3 3
9. 3, , , ,...
2 4 8
5a 5a 2 5a3
10. 5, , , ,...
2 4 8

B. Write the first five terms of the geometric sequence.

1. =
a1 5,= r 2
2. =
a1 12,= r 3
3. a1 = 1, r = −3
4. a1 = −4, r = −2
16 1
5. a1 = ,r = −
3 4