These are sequences where you go from term to term by multiplying by a common ratio. The one in the title has a common ratio of 3 because each term is 3 times bigger than the previous one. Geometric sequences grow exponentially and should be considered with the study of exponential functions and compound interest.
Key Concepts
In this unit you should learn to…
recognise geometric sequences
find the nth term of a geometric sequence
find missing terms in a geometric sequence
find the sum of a geometric sequence
Essentials
Slides Gallery
Use these slides to review the material and key points covered in the videos.
1. What is a geometric sequence?
This video describes the nature and properties of geometric sequences
2. Finding the nth term of a geometric sequence
This video goes over the process of describing geometric sequences generally.
3. Finding terms of geometric sequences
How to find terms with a given position in the sequence. For example, for a given sequence, how do you find the 20th term?
4. Sigma Notation
What is sigma notation? (There is a video on sigma notation in the arithmetic sequences and series page, alongside videos on the TI-84, TI-Nspire and Casio pages of the site in terms of using yor GDC to evaluate a series in sigma notation.
5. Finding the sum of a geometric sequence
How do find the total of a given number of terms of an arithmetic sequence?
Summary
This section of the page can be used for quick review. The flashcards help you go over key points and the quiz lets you practice answering questions on this subtopic.
Flash Cards
Review these condensed 'key point' flashcards to help you check and keep ideas fresh in your mind.
Test yourself
Self Checking Quiz
Practice your understanding on these quiz questions. Check your answers when you are done and read the hints where you got stuck. If you find there are still some gaps in your understanding then go back to the videos and slides above.
1
Which of the following sequences could be geometric?
Onnly the sequences where each term is found by multiplying the previous term by the same common ratio. Example, 5, 10, 20 works because each term is the previous term multiplied by 2.
2
What is the common ratio of this geometric sequence?
7, 21, 63, 189
7 x 3 = 21, 21 x 3 = 63, 63 x 3 = 189
3
What is the next term of this geometric sequence?
4, 6, 9.....
Each term is 1.5 times bigger than the previous term
4
What is the 6th term of the geometric sequencethat begins 3, 15, 75 ?
3 x 55 = 9375
5
What is the 10th term of the geometric sequence Un = 2.5 x (-2)(n-1)
2.5 x (-2)9
6
Which of the following could be the nth term of the geometric sequence that begins...... 2, 8, 32, 128?
The general expression for the nth term of a geometric sequence is Un = U1 x r(n-1), where U1 is the first term, r is the common ratio and n is the postion/number of terms. We can see that the common ratio is 4 and the first term is 2.
7
Which of the following sequences could be a part of the geometric sequence with the general expression Un = 3 x 2(n-1)?
6, 12, 24 are the first 3 terms. If you divide the terms 192, 384, 768 by 3 (the first term) you get 64, 128, 256, which are successive powers of 2 and so each of these terms are 3 x a power of 2 and so they must be part of the sequence.
8
Consider the geometric sequence that begins 4.5, 9, 18....
What is the sum of the first 8 terms of this sequence?
Substitute n = 8, U1 = 4.5 and r = 2 in to the sum formula.
\({ S }_{ n }={ u }_{ 1 }\left( \frac { { r }^{ n }-1 }{ r-1 } \right) \\ in\quad this\quad case,\quad { u }_{ 1 }=4.5\quad and\quad r=2\\ SO,\\ { S }_{ 8 }=4.5\left( \frac { { 2 }^{ 8 }-1 }{ 2-1 } \right) \\ { S }_{ 8 }=4.5\left( \frac { 255 }{ 1 } \right) \\ { S }_{ 8 }=1147.5\)
9
What is the sum of the first 20 terms of this geometric sequence, Un = 15 x 1.2(n - 1). Give you answer correct to 3 sf.
Substitute n = 20, U1 = 15 and r = 1.2 in to the sum formula. Then round carefully.
\({ S }_{ n }={ u }_{ 1 }\left( \frac { { r }^{ n }-1 }{ r-1 } \right) \\ in\quad this\quad case,\quad { u }_{ 1 }=15\quad and\quad r=1.2\\ SO,\\ { S }_{ 20 }=15\left( \frac { { 1.2 }^{ 20 }-1 }{ 1.2-1 } \right) \\ { S }_{ 20 }=2800.319994\\ { S }_{ 20 }=2800\quad (3sf)\)
10
A geometric sequence has U3 = 9 and U6 = -243, what is its common ratio?
\({ u }_{ 3 }\times { r }\times { r }\times { r }={ u }_{ 6 }\\ { u }_{ 3 }\times { r }^{ 3 }={ u }_{ 6 }\\ 9\times { r }^{ 3 }=-243\\ { r }^{ 3 }=\frac { -243 }{ 9 } =-27\\ r=\sqrt [ 3 ]{ -27 } =-3\)
Exam Style Questions
The following questions are based on IB exam style questions from past exams. Try to do these questions under exam conditions. Then you can check your work with the video solution.
Question 1
Video Solution
Question 2
Video Solution
Question 3
Video Solution
MY PROGRESS
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