Subject : Discrete Math

Instructor : Alsharif A. Moses

Time/Day : 8:30 – 9: 30 MWTH / CpE – 1st B
: 9: 30 – 10:30 MWTH / CpE – 1st A

Activity 2
Geometric Sequence
Like the arithmetic sequence, each of the terms in a geometric sequence is related to the
preceding term through a definite pattern.
Definition of Geometric Sequence
Study the given sequences and see if you can get the pattern or rule.
A. 2, 4, 8,16, 32, 64 C. 2, -4, 8, -16, 32, -64
B. 2, 6, 18, 54, 162 D. 80, 40, 20, 10, 5
The above given sequences are examples of geometric sequence.

Remember
A geometric sequence is a sequence in which a term is obtained by
multiplying the preceding term by a constant number, called the common ratio,
r
The nth term of a geometric sequence is 𝑎 𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 ,

Where: 𝑎1 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

𝑎 𝑛 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

r = the common ratio

Take note how the common ratio is obtained. Using example A:

𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 4 𝑆𝑖𝑥𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 64
=2=2 = 32 = 2
𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 16
= =2
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 8

That is, the common ratio is obtained by dividing any term by the preceding term.

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Illustrative Example
Give the next 3 terms in each sequence.
A. 2, 4, 8,16, 32, 64,…
𝑎1 = 2; 𝑟 = 2

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟𝑛−1
𝑎6 = 2(2)5 = 64
𝑎7 = 2(2)6 = 128
𝑎8 = 2(2)7 = 256

B. Find the tenth term of the geometric sequence 2, 4, 8,…

Solution: 𝑎1 = 2; 𝑟 = 2; 𝑛 = 10

Formula: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟𝑛−1
𝑎10 = 2(2)10−1
𝑎10 = 2(2)9
𝑎10 = 1024 − 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚

Test Yourself
Answer the following

1. Write the first five terms of the geometric sequence whose first term is 2 and whose
common ratio is 3.
2. Find the tenth term of the geometric sequence 2, -6, 18,…
3. Find the ninth term of the geometric sequence x, 2x, 4x,…
1 128
4. Find the r in a geometric sequence if the first term is and the eighth term is .
3 3
5. What term is 2916 in the geometric sequence 4, 12, 36,…?

Notice: Avoid many erasures on your solution/s.

The following materials to be needed in solving the problems:

1. Yellow paper
2. Ball pen (black or blue)

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