Write the first five terms of the geometric sequence with a subscript 1 baseline equals negative 2 and common ratio r equals negative Start Fraction 5 over 2 End Fraction.

(1 point)
Responses

left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace negative 2 comma negative Start Fraction 9 over 2 End Fraction comma negative 7 comma negative Start Fraction 19 over 2 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace
Image with alt text: left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace negative 2 comma negative Start Fraction 9 over 2 End Fraction comma negative 7 comma negative Start Fraction 19 over 2 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace

left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace negative 2 comma negative 5 comma negative Start Fraction 25 over 2 End Fraction comma negative Start Fraction 125 over 4 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace
Image with alt text: left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace negative 2 comma negative 5 comma negative Start Fraction 25 over 2 End Fraction comma negative Start Fraction 125 over 4 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace

left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace 2 comma negative 5 comma Start Fraction 25 over 2 End Fraction comma negative Start Fraction 125 over 4 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace
Image with alt text: left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace 2 comma negative 5 comma Start Fraction 25 over 2 End Fraction comma negative Start Fraction 125 over 4 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace

left-brace a subscript n baseline right-brace equals left-brace negative 2 comma 5 comma negative Start Fraction 25 over 2 End Fraction comma Start Fraction 125 over 4 End Fraction comma ellipsis right-brace

1 answer

To find the first five terms of the geometric sequence with the first term \( a_1 = -2 \) and common ratio \( r = -\frac{5}{2} \), we can use the formula for the \( n \)-th term of a geometric sequence:

\[ a_n = a_1 \cdot r^{(n-1)} \]

Now, let's calculate the first five terms:

  1. First term (\( n = 1 \)): \[ a_1 = -2 \]

  2. Second term (\( n = 2 \)): \[ a_2 = a_1 \cdot r^{(2-1)} = -2 \cdot \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right) = -2 \cdot -\frac{5}{2} = 5 \]

  3. Third term (\( n = 3 \)): \[ a_3 = a_1 \cdot r^{(3-1)} = -2 \cdot \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)^2 = -2 \cdot \frac{25}{4} = -\frac{50}{4} = -\frac{25}{2} \]

  4. Fourth term (\( n = 4 \)): \[ a_4 = a_1 \cdot r^{(4-1)} = -2 \cdot \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)^3 = -2 \cdot -\frac{125}{8} = \frac{250}{8} = \frac{125}{4} \]

  5. Fifth term (\( n = 5 \)): \[ a_5 = a_1 \cdot r^{(5-1)} = -2 \cdot \left(-\frac{5}{2}\right)^4 = -2 \cdot \frac{625}{16} = -\frac{1250}{16} = -\frac{625}{8} \]

Putting it all together, the first five terms of the geometric sequence are:

\[ \left{ a_n \right} = \left{ -2, 5, -\frac{25}{2}, \frac{125}{4}, -\frac{625}{8} \right} \]

However, to match the format of the provided options, here are the terms we calculated:

  1. \( -2 \)
  2. \( 5 \)
  3. \( -\frac{25}{2} \)
  4. \( \frac{125}{4} \)
  5. \( -\frac{625}{8} \)

Among the options given in your question, the closest option capturing the pattern of these terms is:

left-brace ( a_n \right} equals left-brace -2, 5, -\frac{25}{2}, \frac{125}{4}, \ldots right-brace