College Algebra (11th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321671791
ISBN 13: 978-0-32167-179-0

Chapter 7 - Section 7.3 - Geometric Sequences and Series - 7.3 Exercises - Page 654: 15

Answer

$ a_5=\dfrac{5}{8}$ $a_n=10\left(\dfrac{-1}{2}\right)^{n-1}$

Work Step by Step

To find $a_5$ and $a_n$ for the given geometric sequence we will apply the formula for finding the $n^{th}$ term of a geometric sequence. The $n^{th}$ term of a geometric sequence can be found by the formula: $a_n=a_1r^{n-1}....(1)$ where, $r$ is the common ratio, $r$ and can be computed as the quotient of a term and the term preceeding it. First we will find the common ratio $r$. Divide the third term by the second term. That is, $$r=\dfrac{a_{3}}{a_2}=\dfrac{5/2}{-5}=\dfrac{-1}{2}$$ Plug $10$ for $a_1$ and $\dfrac{-1}{2}$ for $r$ in the equation (1) to obtain: $$ a_n=10\left(\dfrac{-1}{2}\right)^{n-1}$$ With $n=5,$ the equation above yields the result : $$a_5=10\left(\dfrac{-1}{2}\right)^{5-1}=\dfrac{5}{8}$$ Hence, $ a_5=\dfrac{5}{8}$ and $a_n=10\left(\dfrac{-1}{2}\right)^{n-1}$.
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