Geometric Sequences

Algebra 1 Part 2: Module 4 Unit 3

Lesson 2

1
 Vocabulary and Key Concepts
• In a geometric sequence, the ratio of any term
to its preceding term is a constant value.
• A geometric sequence with a starting value a
and a common ratio r is a sequence of the form
a, ar, ar2, ar3,…
• Every geometric sequence has a starting value
and a common ratio. The starting value and
common ratio define a unique geometric
sequence.

2
• A recursive definition for the sequence has
two parts:
𝑎1 = 𝑎 Initial condition
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1 , 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 ≥ 1 Recursive formula
• An explicit definition for this sequence is a
single formula:
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1 , 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 ≥ 1

3
 Identifying Geometric Sequences
Which of the following are geometric sequences?
• 20, 200, 2000, 20000, 200000,…
200 2000
There is a common ratio r = 10 ( 20 = 10; 200 =
20000 200000
10; = 10; = 10). So, the sequence is
2000 20000
geometric.
• 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,…
There is no common ratio. So, the sequence is not
geometric.
• 5, -5, 5, -5, 5,…
There is a common ration r = -1. So the sequence is
geometric.
4
 You try it.
Which of the following are geometric
sequences? If it is, then what is the common
ratio? If the sequence is not geometric, is it
arithmetic?
a) 3, 6, 12, 24, 48,…
b) 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,…
1 1 1 1
c) , , , ,…
3 9 27 81
d) 4, 7, 11, 16, 22,…

5
 Finding Recursive and Explicit
Formulas
• Any geometric sequence can be written with
both an explicit and a recursive formula. The
recursive formula is useful for finding the next
term in the sequence. The explicit formula is
more convenient when finding the nth term.

6
• Find the recursive and explicit formulas for the sequence 7, 21, 63,
189,…
21
• The starting value a1 is 7. The common ratio r is =3
7
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
(If the result is not the same for each
𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
pair of consecutive terms, then it is not a geometric sequence).
• You need both of these numbers to be able to write either the
recursive or the explicit formula.
Recursive Formula Explicit Formula
𝑎1 = 𝑎; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 ∙ 𝑟 Use the formula. 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎1 = 7; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 ∙ 𝑟 Sub the starting value for a1 𝑎𝑛 = 7 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1
𝑎1 = 7; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 ∙ 3 Sub the common ratio for r 𝑎𝑛 = 7 ∙ 3𝑛−1
𝑎1 = 7; 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 ∙ 3 Done! 𝑎𝑛 = 7 ∙ 3𝑛−1

7
 You try it.
Find the recursive and the explicit formulas for
each of the following.
a) 2, 4, 8, 16,…
b) 40, 20, 10, 5,…

8
 Using Sequences
Problem
Two managers at a clothing store created
sequences to show the original price and the
marked-down prices of an item. Write a
recursive formula and an explicit formula for
each sequence. What will the price of the item
be after the 6th markdown?

9
 First sequence: $60, $51, $43.35, $36.85,…
Common ratio = 0.85
𝑎1 = 60
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 ∙ 0.85 Recursive formula
𝑎𝑛 = 60 ∙ 0.83𝑛−1 Explicit formula
𝑎7 = 60 ∙ 0.857−1 Sub 7 for n
𝑎7 = $22.63 Simplify
The price for continuing the first sequence is
$22.63 after the 6th markdown.

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 Second sequence: $60, $52, $44, $36,…
Common difference = −8
𝑎1 = 60
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛−1 − 8 Recursive formula
𝑎𝑛 = −8 𝑛 − 1 + 60 Explicit formula
𝑎7 = −8 7 − 1 + 60 Substitute 7 for n
𝑎7 = $12 Simplify
The price continuing the second sequence is $12
after the 6th markdown.

11
 You try it.
Write the recursive formula and the explicit
formula for each sequence. Find the 8th term of
each sequence.
a) 14, 84, 504, 3024,…
b) 648, 324, 162, 81,…

12
 Writing Geometric Sequences as
Functions
A geometric sequence has an initial value of 6
and a common ratio of 2. Write a function to
represent the sequence. Graph the function.
𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 ∙ 𝑟 𝑛−1 Explicit formula
𝑓 𝑥 = 6 ∙ 2𝑥−1 Sub f(x) for an, 6 for a1, and 2 for r.
The function 𝑓 𝑥 = 6 ∙ 2𝑥−1 represents the
geometric sequence.
Graph. (next slide)
13
14
 You try it.
• A geometric sequence has an initial value of 2
and a common ratio of 3. Write a function to
represent the sequence. Graph the function.

15
 Practice.
Determine if each sequence is a geometric sequence. If it is, find the common
ratio and write the explicit and recursive formulas.
1. 5, 10, 20, 40,…
2. 20, 15, 10, 5,…
3. 3, -9, 27, -81,…
𝟐
4. 98, 14, 2, ,…
𝟕
5. -3, -1, 1, 3,…
6. 200, -100, 50, -25,…
Identify each sequence as arithmetic, geometric, or neither. Explain your
reasoning.
7. 1.5, 4.5, 13.5, 40.5,…
8. 42, 38, 34, 30,…
9. 4, 9, 16, 25,…
10. -4, 1, 6, 11,…
11. 1, 2, 3, 5,…
12. 2, 8, 32, 128,…
(next slide)

16
13.A store manager plans to offer discounts on
some sweaters according to this sequence:
$48, $36, $27, $20.25,… Write the explicit
and recursive formulas for the sequence.
14.A geometric sequence has an initial value of
𝟏
18 and a common ration of . Write a
𝟐
function to represent this sequence. Graph
the function.
15.Write and graph the function that
represents the sequence in the table below.
x 1 2 3 4
f(x) 8 16 32 64

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