1. Geometric Sequence r=5 Eg 2, 10, 50, 250 ... 10=5 2 50=5 10 250=5 50
A geometric sequence is one where to get from one term to the next you multiply by the same number each time. This number is called the common ratio, r.
Eg 2, 10, 50,
r=5 x5 x5 x5
10=5 2
50=5 10
250=5 50

2. ‘Second term divided by the first’
Geometric Sequence
Eg 90, -30, 10, r= x x x
10 =
-30 = 10
-30= 90
Common ratio =u2 u1
‘Second term divided by the first’

3. How do we find the nth term?
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence n
Eg 2, , 50, ? ...
r= 5
a=2 a ar
ar2
ar3
arn-1
This is the same for all geometric sequences

4. Your check list You will need to find or use these:
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
The second term of a geometric sequence is 4 and the 4th term is 8. Find the values of a) the common ration b) first term and c) the 10th term.
So what do we have:
?, 4, ?, ar
ar3

5. ?, 4, ?, 8 .... 1) ar =4 2) ar3 =8 ar ar3 ar3 =8 ar 4 r2 =2 r =√2
The second term of a geometric sequence is 4 and the 4th term is 8. Find the values of a) the common ration b) first term and c) the 10th term.
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
So what do we have:
?, 4, ?,
1) ar =4
2) ar3 =8 ar
ar3
ar3 =8
ar 4
r2 =2
r =√2
Using ar= 4
a√2 = 4
a= 4 √2
a= 2 √2

6. ar9= 2 √2 (√2) 9 ar9= 2 √2 10 ar9= 2 x2 5 ar9= 2 6 10th term= 64
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= 2 √2
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
the 10th term
nth term = arn-1
?, 4, ?, ar9
ar9= 2 √2 (√2) 9
ar9= 2 √2 10
ar9= 2 x2 5
ar9= 2 6
10th term= 64

7. r=1.04 ( think if it will increase in value you need that 1!)
Andy invests £A at a rate of interest 4% per annum. After 5 years it will be worth £ How much (to the nearest penny) will it be worth after 10 years?
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
So what do we have:
r=1.04 ( think if it will increase in value you need that 1!)
a= £A (this gives you a hint that you will need to work out A)
Think about the terms:
a ? ? ?
Think about the terms:
a ? ? ? ? 10000
Think about the terms:
a ? ? ? ?
Think about the terms:
1 2 3
a ? ?
Think about the terms:
1 2
a ?
Think about the terms: 1 a
4 year
1 year
2 year
3 year
5 year
ar5= ( Power is usually the same as the years but always check!)
ar10=? ( Using the same idea after 10 years will be the 11th term)

8. ax1.045=10 000 ( Replace the r!) ax1.045=10 000 ( Replace the r!)
Andy invests £A at a rate of interest 4% per annum. After 5 years it will be worth £ How much (to the nearest penny) will it be worth after 10 years?
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
ax1.045= ( Replace the r!)
ax1.045= ( Replace the r!)
£A= £ £A = £
1.045
ar10=?
£ x = £ x 1.045
1.045
ar10= £

9. r=2 ( 6 divided by 3) a= 3 nth term = arn-1 > 1000 000
What is the first term in the geometric progression 3,6,12, To exceed 1 million?
r= the number you times by to get to the next term
a= the first term of the sequence
What terms have you got/need to find?
r=2 ( 6 divided by 3)
a= 3
nth term = arn-1 >
3x2n-1 >
2n-1 > 3
n-1> log2 ( ) 3
n-1> (2dp)
n> (2dp)
n = 20 So 20th term

10. A geometric series is the sum of a geometric sequence
Terms: n n
Sn a + ar + ar ar arn arn-1
Terms: n n
rSn ar + ar ar3 + ar arn arn
Sn a + ar + ar ar arn arn-1
rSn ar + ar ar3 + ar arn arn
Sn- r Sn = a-arn
Sn(1-r)= a(1-rn)
Sn = a(1-rn)
1-r

11. Geometric Series Sn = a(1-rn) 1-r Sn = a(rn-1) r-1
An investor invests £2000 on January 1st every year in an account that guarantees 4% per annum, If the interest is calculated on the 31st of December each year, how much will be in the account at the end of the 10th year?
So using logic break it down to understand what is happening:
End of year 1: x 1.04
Start of year 2: x
End of year 2: (2000 x ) x 1.04
2000 x x 1.04
Start of year 3: x x
Start of year 3: (2000 x x ) x 1.04
2000 x x x 1.04

12. Geometric Series Sn = a(rn-1) r-1 Geometric series!!! r=1.04 a=1.04
End of year 1: x 1.04
Sn = a(rn-1)
r-1
Start of year 2: x
End of year 2: (2000 x ) x 1.04
2000 x x 1.04
Start of year 3: x x
Start of year 3: (2000 x x ) x 1.04
2000 x x x 1.04
End of year 10: x x x 1.04
End of year 10: ( )
Geometric series!!!
r=1.04
a=1.04
End of year 10: x 1.04 ( )
1.04-1
End of year 10: = £

13. Geometric Series Sn = a(rn-1) r-1
Some problems could be described like this
The sum of
Sn = a(rn-1)
r-1
This for...
..... r=1 to 10
= 3x21 +3x22 +3x23 +3x24 +3x25 +3x26 +3x27 +3x28 +3x29 +3x210
=3( )
Geometric series!!!
r=2
a=2
= 3 x 2 (210 -1)
2-1
S10 = 6138

14. Sum to infinity of a convergent Geometric series
Convergent means that the series tends towards a specific value as more terms are added. This value is called the limit.
Consider this series S=
r= 1 2
a=3
Test for different values of n:
As n gets larger S becomes closer to 6

15. Sum to infinity of a convergent Geometric series
This series S= Is a convergent series.
This happens because: < r >1
If this were not true it would not be convergent.
Sn = a(1-rn)
1-r
But if -1< r >1, as
S∞ = a(1-0)
1-r
S∞ = __a__
1-r

16. nth term = arn-1
Sn = a(1-rn)
1-r
S∞ = __a__
1-r