Asked by saraah
in a geometric sequence the first term is 2. The 3rd term is the sum of the 1st and 2nd term. Find the ratio, and the 2 terms
Answers
Answered by
Reiny
a = 2
term(3) = ar^2 = 2r^2
term(2) = ar = 2r
2 + 2r = 2r^2
r^2 - r - 1 = 0
r = (1 ± √5)/2
if r = (1 + √5)/2 , which btw, is the GOLDEN RATIO
the first 2 terms are
2 and 1 + √5
if r = (1 - √5)/2
the first 2 terms are
2 and 1 - √5
check: using my calculator and decimals
terms are 2 , 3.236.. , 5.236..
the third time is the sum of the first two
or
terms are 2, -1.236.. , .7639...
.7639 = 2 - 1.236 , ok
term(3) = ar^2 = 2r^2
term(2) = ar = 2r
2 + 2r = 2r^2
r^2 - r - 1 = 0
r = (1 ± √5)/2
if r = (1 + √5)/2 , which btw, is the GOLDEN RATIO
the first 2 terms are
2 and 1 + √5
if r = (1 - √5)/2
the first 2 terms are
2 and 1 - √5
check: using my calculator and decimals
terms are 2 , 3.236.. , 5.236..
the third time is the sum of the first two
or
terms are 2, -1.236.. , .7639...
.7639 = 2 - 1.236 , ok
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