Math Problem Statement

Find the 9th term of the following geometric sequence: 4, 20, 100, 500, ...

Solution

To find the 9th term of the given geometric sequence, let's analyze the sequence first:

Given sequence: 4,20,100,500,4, 20, 100, 500, \ldots

Step 1: Identify the first term (aa) and the common ratio (rr).

  • The first term a=4a = 4.
  • The common ratio rr can be found by dividing the second term by the first term: r=204=5r = \frac{20}{4} = 5

Step 2: Use the formula for the nnth term of a geometric sequence.

The formula for the nnth term of a geometric sequence is: an=ar(n1)a_n = a \cdot r^{(n-1)} Where:

  • ana_n is the nnth term,
  • aa is the first term,
  • rr is the common ratio,
  • nn is the term number.

Step 3: Calculate the 9th term.

Substituting the values into the formula: a9=45(91)=458a_9 = 4 \cdot 5^{(9-1)} = 4 \cdot 5^8 Calculate 585^8: 58=3906255^8 = 390625 Now, calculate a9a_9: a9=4390625=1562500a_9 = 4 \cdot 390625 = 1562500

Final Answer:

The 9th term of the geometric sequence is 1,562,500.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Related Questions:

  1. How would you find the sum of the first 9 terms of this geometric sequence?
  2. What is the formula to find the sum of an infinite geometric series?
  3. If the common ratio was negative, how would the sequence behave?
  4. How can geometric sequences be used in real-life applications?
  5. What is the 10th term of this sequence?

Tip:

Remember that the common ratio in a geometric sequence is the factor that you multiply by to go from one term to the next.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Sequences
Geometric Sequences

Formulas

nth term of a geometric sequence: a_n = a * r^(n-1)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12