Math Problem Statement

What is the sum of the first 10 terms of the geometric sequence 4,2,1??

Solution

To find the sum of the first 10 terms of a geometric sequence, you can use the formula:

Sn=a1rn1rS_n = a \frac{1 - r^n}{1 - r}

Where:

  • SnS_n is the sum of the first nn terms,
  • aa is the first term,
  • rr is the common ratio, and
  • nn is the number of terms.

Given the sequence 4,2,1,4, 2, 1, \dots:

  • a=4a = 4
  • r=24=12r = \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}
  • n=10n = 10

Plugging these values into the formula:

S10=41(12)10112S_{10} = 4 \cdot \frac{1 - \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{10}}{1 - \frac{1}{2}}

Simplify the expression:

S10=41(12)1012=42(111024)S_{10} = 4 \cdot \frac{1 - \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{10}}{\frac{1}{2}} = 4 \cdot 2 \cdot \left(1 - \frac{1}{1024}\right)

S10=8(111024)=810231024=81841024=7.9921875S_{10} = 8 \cdot \left(1 - \frac{1}{1024}\right) = 8 \cdot \frac{1023}{1024} = \frac{8184}{1024} = 7.9921875

So, the sum of the first 10 terms is approximately 7.9927.992.

Would you like further details or have any questions?


Here are some related questions you might find useful:

  1. What is the sum of the first 15 terms of the same sequence?
  2. How do you find the sum of an infinite geometric series?
  3. What happens if the common ratio rr is greater than 1?
  4. Can you derive the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series?
  5. What is the sum of the first 10 terms if the sequence started at 8 instead of 4?

Tip: Always check if the common ratio rr is between -1 and 1 when calculating the sum of an infinite geometric series.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometric Sequences
Summation of Series

Formulas

Sum of a Geometric Series

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12