A geometric sequence is an ordered set, usually of numbers, such that there is a common ratio between terms.
Here is an example:
Here is another example:
Notice that in the first example, the common ratio is 3. In the second example, the common ratio is -3.
You can create a sequence such as this on a scientific or graphical display calculator, by typing in 1, enter, multiply (-3) enter, enter, enter…
Fill in the Gaps
The following applets generate geometric sequences. Using your own technique figure out the numbers in the gaps.
Find the missing terms:
First, calculate the ratio, then calculate the terms:
Find a particular term:
Formula
To find any term in a geometric sequence given the first term , and the common ratio
, we can use the formula
.
Try this formula out with the applet ‘find a particular term’ above.
3 kinds of common ratio
- When the ratio is bigger than 1, the sequences gets bigger and bigger. We say it diverges.
- When the ratio is negative, the sequence oscillates between positive and negative values.
- When the ratio is between -1 and 1 (but not zero), the sequence diminishes. We say it converges to zero.
In the following applet, the first term is 20. Try out:
- common ratio = 1.2 (ratio is positive, bigger than 1).
- common ratio = -1.2 (ratio is negative)
- common ratio = 0.5 (ratio is positive, less than 1)
Notice the various patterns made by the points.
What about ,
,
?
Practice
Try the check your understanding questions on the CEMC courseware.
CK12 Practice test
Next: Geometric Series