Precalculus (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32197-907-9
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-907-0

Chapter 12 - Sequences; Induction; the Binomial Theorem - 12.3 Geometric Sequences; Geometric Series - 12.3 Assess Your Understanding - Page 824: 11

Answer

In order for a sequence to be geometric, the quotient of all consecutive terms must be constant. Hence here: $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=\dfrac{(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^{n+1}}{(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^n}=\frac{1}{2}$, thus it is a geometric sequence. $a_1=-\frac{3}{2}$ $a_2=-\frac{3}{4}$ $a_3=-\frac{3}{8}$ $a_4=-\frac{3}{16}$

Work Step by Step

In order for a sequence to be geometric, the quotient of all consecutive terms must be constant. Hence here: $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=\dfrac{(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^{n+1}}{(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^n}=\frac{1}{2}$, thus it is a geometric sequence. $a_1=(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^1=-\frac{3}{2}$ $a_2=(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^2=-\frac{3}{4}$ $a_3=(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^3=-\frac{3}{8}$ $a_4=(-3)(\frac{1}{2})^4=-\frac{3}{16}$
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