Finding the First Term and the Common Ratio using Sum to Infinity

$$ \large \displaystyle S_{\infty} = \frac{\text{first term}}{1-\text{common ratio}} $$

YouTube player

Question 1

Find the first three terms of the geometric series for which the common ratio \( r=0.6 \) and \( S_{\infty} = 25 \).

\( \displaystyle \begin{align} S_{\infty} &= \frac{a}{1-r} \\ \frac{a}{1-0.6} &= 25 \\ \frac{a}{0.4} &= 25 \\ a &= 25 \times 0.4 \\ a &= 10 \\ T_1 &= 10 \\ T_2 &= 10 \times 0.6 \\ T_3 &= 10 \times 0.6^2 \\ \therefore 10, 6 &\text{ and } 3.6 \end{align} \)

Question 2

Find the first three terms of the geometric series for which the first term \( a=10 \) and \( S_{\infty} = 120 \).

\( \displaystyle \begin{align} S_{\infty} &= \frac{a}{1-r} \\ \frac{48}{1-r} &= 120 \\ \frac{1-r}{48} &= \frac{1}{120} \\ 1-r &= \frac{48}{120} \\ -r &= 0.4-1 \\ -r &= -0.6 \\ r &= 0.6 \\ T_1 &=48 \\ T_2 &= 48 \times 0.6 \\ T_3 &= 48 \times 0.6^2 \\ \therefore 48, 28.8 &\text{ and } 17.28 \end{align} \)

 

Algebra Algebraic Fractions Arc Binomial Expansion Capacity Common Difference Common Ratio Differentiation Double-Angle Formula Equation Exponent Exponential Function Factorials Factorise Functions Geometric Sequence Geometric Series Index Laws Inequality Integration Kinematics Length Conversion Logarithm Logarithmic Functions Mass Conversion Mathematical Induction Measurement Perfect Square Perimeter Prime Factorisation Probability Product Rule Proof Quadratic Quadratic Factorise Ratio Rational Functions Sequence Sketching Graphs Surds Time Transformation Trigonometric Functions Trigonometric Properties Volume




Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *