Math Problem Statement

Find the missing terms of a geometric sequence of 1, , , ,81

Solution

The given geometric sequence is: 1,_,_,_,811, \_, \_, \_, 81.

To find the missing terms in a geometric sequence, we need to determine the common ratio rr and use it to fill in the missing terms.

Step 1: General form of a geometric sequence

The terms of a geometric sequence follow the pattern: a,ar,ar2,ar3,a, a \cdot r, a \cdot r^2, a \cdot r^3, \dots where aa is the first term, and rr is the common ratio.

Here, the first term is a=1a = 1, and the fifth term is 8181.

Step 2: Relationship between the terms

In a geometric sequence, each term is the previous term multiplied by the common ratio rr. Therefore: 81=1r481 = 1 \cdot r^4 This simplifies to: r4=81r^4 = 81 Taking the fourth root of both sides: r=814=3r = \sqrt[4]{81} = 3

Step 3: Finding the missing terms

Now that we know the common ratio r=3r = 3, we can calculate the missing terms:

  • Second term: 13=31 \cdot 3 = 3
  • Third term: 132=91 \cdot 3^2 = 9
  • Fourth term: 133=271 \cdot 3^3 = 27

Final Sequence:

1,3,9,27,811, 3, 9, 27, 81

The missing terms are 3,9,273, 9, 27.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. What is the formula for the nn-th term of a geometric sequence?
  2. How would the sequence change if the first term was a different number?
  3. What happens if the common ratio rr is a fraction?
  4. Can a geometric sequence have negative terms?
  5. How do you find the sum of the first nn terms of a geometric series?

Tip: In a geometric sequence, the common ratio can be determined from any two consecutive terms by dividing one by the other.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometric Sequence
Exponents
Ratios

Formulas

nth term of geometric sequence: a * r^(n-1)
Common ratio: r = nth root of (last term/first term)

Theorems

Properties of geometric sequences
Exponentiation rules

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10