Lesson 2

Geometric
Sequences
Objectives:
 Definea geometric sequence and related
terms such as the common ratio and
geometric mean.
 Find the nth term of a geometric sequence.
 Determinethe order of the given term on the
given geometric sequence.
Geometric Sequence
A sequence in which each term after the first is found by
multiplying the previous term by a constant r called the
common ratio.

The nth term 𝑎𝑛 of a geometric sequence with

first term 𝑎1 and common ratio r is given by
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 𝑟 𝑛−1 , where n is any positive integer.

Example: 1, 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125, …

7, 21, 63, 189, 567, …
Finding a Particular Term
Finding an equation for nth Term
Finding a term using another term
and ratio
In Lesson 1,
Finding geometric means
Finding geometric means (continuation)
SEATWORK #2 Show your solution. (½ cw paper)

1.) Find the 13th term of the sequence 2, -12, 72, -432, 2592, …
2.) What term (order) is 3 359 232 on the sequence 2, -12, 72, -432, 2592, …
3.) Find the 15th term of the sequence 9, 7.2, 5.76, 4.608, 3.6864, …
4.) What term (order) is 1.8874368 on the sequence 9, 7.2, 5.76, 4.608, 3.6864, …
5.) Find four geometric means between 2 and 486.
729
6.) Find four geometric means between 3 and .
32
7.) Find an explicit formula for 5, 15, 45, 135, 405, …
8.) Find an explicit formula for 2, -12, 72, -432, 2592, …