SS3: Geometric Sequences and Series

Geometric Sequence - __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
We call "r the common ratio

Take out that paper from last Thursday with all the patterns and sequences. Star the geometric
sequences.
Which of the following sequences are geometric? What is the common ratio?
1, 3, 9, 27, 81
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
8, 4, 2, 1, ,
2, 6, 18, 54, 162,
Formula for finding the nth term (an) of a sequence

Some examples of geometric sequences: Find the 8th term of each sequence

1, 2, 4, 8, 16

1 1
,
9 3 , 1, -3, 9, -27

Formula for finding the sum of a geometric series:

Lets try some examples:

I.

II.

III.

2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 + 64 =

1 + 4 + 16 + + a6 =

2 + 6 + 18 + 54 + + a7 =

Geometric Mean _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

For example: If the two numbers are 2 and 18, the geometric mean is _____________________
Find the geometric mean of:
2 and 8

6 and 24