Algebra II : Summations and Sequences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Geometric Sequences

Which of the following is a geometric sequence? 

Possible Answers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Correct answer:

 

Explanation:

A geometric sequence is one in which the next term is found by mutlplying the previous term by a particular constant. Thus, we look for an implicit definition which involves multiplication of the previous term. The only possibility is: 

Example Question #2 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

What is the explicit formula for the above sequence? What is the 20th value?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a geometric series. The explicit formula for any geometric series is:

, where  is the common ratio and  is the number of terms.

In this instance  and .

Substitute  into the equation to find the 20th term:

Example Question #3 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

What type of sequence is shown below?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers

Geometric

Multiplicative

Arithmetic

Subtractive

Correct answer:

None of the other answers

Explanation:

This series is neither geometric nor arithmetic. 

A geometric sequences is multiplied by a common ratio () each term.  An arithmetic series adds the same additional amount () to each term.  This series does neither.

Mutiplicative and subtractive are not types of sequences.

Therefore, the answer is none of the other answers.

Example Question #1 : Geometric Sequences

Identify the 10th term in the series:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The explicit formula for a geometric series is

In this problem

Therefore:

Example Question #1 : Geometric Sequences

Which of the following could be the formula for a geometric sequence?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The explicit formula for a geometric series is .

Therefore, is the only answer that works.

Example Question #6 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Find the 15th term of the following series:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This series is geometric.  The explicit formula for any geometric series is:

Where represents the term,  is the first term, and is the common ratio.

In this series 

Therefore the formula to find the 15th term is:

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Missing Number In A Set

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Example Question #7 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Give the 33rd term of the Geometric Series

[2 is the first term]

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we need to find the common ratio by dividing the second term by the first: 

The  term is

,

so the 33rd term will be

.

 

Example Question #8 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Find the 19th term of the sequence

[the first term is 7,000]

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First find the common ratio by dividing the second term by the first:

Since the first term is , the nth term can be found using the formula

 

,

so the 19th term is

Example Question #9 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Find the 21st term of the sequence

[90 is 1st, so n=1]

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, find the common ratio by dividing the second term by the first:

The nth term can be found using

,

so the 21st term is

.

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