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f the first 4 terms of a geometric sequence are \( \{7,21,63,189\} \), then ormula for the \( n^{\text {th }} \) term in the sequence is

Ask by Vaughn May. in the United States
Jan 25,2025

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Answer

The formula for the \( n^{\text{th}} \) term in the sequence is \( a_n = 7 \times 3^{n-1} \).

Solution

In a geometric sequence, each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant ratio \( r \). The general formula for the \( n^{\text{th}} \) term of a geometric sequence is: \[ a_n = a_1 \times r^{n-1} \] where: - \( a_1 \) is the first term. - \( r \) is the common ratio. - \( n \) is the term number. Given the first four terms of the sequence: \( \{7, 21, 63, 189\} \), let's determine the common ratio \( r \): \[ r = \frac{21}{7} = 3 \] Now, using the formula for the \( n^{\text{th}} \) term: \[ a_n = 7 \times 3^{n-1} \] **Verification:** - For \( n = 1 \): \( a_1 = 7 \times 3^{0} = 7 \) - For \( n = 2 \): \( a_2 = 7 \times 3^{1} = 21 \) - For \( n = 3 \): \( a_3 = 7 \times 3^{2} = 63 \) - For \( n = 4 \): \( a_4 = 7 \times 3^{3} = 189 \) All terms match the given sequence. **Final Formula:** \[ a_n = 7 \times 3^{n-1} \] **Answer:** After simplifying, the nth term is 7 multiplied by threeⁿ⁻¹. Thus, aₙ = 7 · 3^{ n−1 }

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Beyond the Answer

In a geometric sequence, each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant called the common ratio. Here, the common ratio is \( \frac{21}{7} = 3 \). You can obtain each subsequent term by multiplying the previous term by \( 3 \). So, the general formula for the \( n^{\text{th}} \) term of this sequence can be expressed as \( a_n = 7 \cdot 3^{(n-1)} \). If you'd like to calculate the \( n^{\text{th}} \) term for any value of \( n \), just substitute \( n \) into the formula! For example, if \( n = 5 \), then \( a_5 = 7 \cdot 3^{(5-1)} = 7 \cdot 81 = 567 \). Fun, right?

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