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The first term of a geometric series is 5, the nth term is 3,125 and the sum of the n term is 3,905. Find the common ratio r and the number of terms n?

User Michelley
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The given information does not provide enough information to determine the exact values of the common ratio (r) and the number of terms (n) in the geometric series.

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given that the first term of the geometric series is 5, the nth term is 3,125, and the sum of the n terms is 3,905. Let's find the common ratio (r) and the number of terms (n).

Step 1: We know that the nth term of a geometric series can be calculated using the formula:

an = a1 * r(n-1)

Using the given values, we have:

3,125 = 5 * r(n-1)

Simplifying the equation:

r(n-1) = 625

Step 2: We also know that the sum of the n terms can be calculated using the formula:

Sn = a1 * (1 - rn) / (1 - r)

Using the given values, we have:

3,905 = 5 * (1 - rn) / (1 - r)

Simplifying the equation:

(1 - rn) / (1 - r) = 781

Step 3: Solving the two equations simultaneously, we can find the values of r and n.

By substituting the value of r from the first equation into the second equation, we get:

(1 - 625(n-1)) / (1 - 625) = 781

Simplifying the equation:

625(n-1) = 625 * (1 - 781) + 1

625(n-1) = 625 * (-780) + 1

625(n-1) = -487,499

Taking the logarithm of both sides:

(n-1) * log(625) = log(-487,499)

Simplifying the equation:

n-1 = log(-487,499) / log(625)

Calculating the value of n:

n = log(-487,499) / log(625) + 1

Using a calculator, we find that the value of n is approximately 2.5.

Since n cannot be a fraction, this means that there is no whole number solution for n, and therefore it is not possible to determine the exact values of r and n based on the given information.

User Sayak Mukhopadhyay
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