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: 14

Answer

In order for a sequence to be geometric, the quotient of all consecutive terms must be constant. Hence here: $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=\dfrac{(\frac{3^{(n+1)}}{9})}{(\frac{3^{n}}{9})}=3$, thus it is a geometric sequence. $a_1=\frac{1}{3}$ $a_2=1$ $a_3=3$ $a_4=9$

Work Step by Step

In order for a sequence to be geometric, the quotient of all consecutive terms must be constant. Hence here: $\frac{a_{n+1}}{a_n}=\dfrac{(\frac{3^{(n+1)}}{9})}{(\frac{3^{n}}{9})}=3$, thus it is a geometric sequence. $a_1=\frac{3^{1}}{9}=\frac{3}{9}=\frac{1}{3}$ $a_2=\frac{3^{2}}{9}=\frac{9}{9}=1$ $a_3=\frac{3^{3}}{9}=\frac{27}{9}=3$ $a_4=\frac{3^{4}}{9}=\frac{81}{9}=9$
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