The first term of the geometric sequance is 27,the last term is 8 and the sum of the series is 65.how many terms are there in the series?

1 answer

T1 = a = 27
Tn = ar^(n-1) = 8
Sn = 65 = a*(1-r^n)/(1-r)

27r^(n-1) = 8
r^(n-1) = 8/27

Just as a guess, I'd say r=2/3 and n=4, since 8/27 = (2/3)^3

However, let's go on.

27(1-r^n)/(1-r) = 65
27(1-r*8/27) / (1-r) = 65
27(1-8r/27) = 65 - 65r
27 - 8r = 65 - 65r
57r = 38
r = 38/57 = 2/3

So, now we have

27*(2/3)^(n-1) = 8
(2/3)^(n-1) = 8/27 = (2/3)^3
n-1 = 3
n=4

Sequence:

27 18 12 8
Sum: 65