83.0k views
2 votes
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
by
9.3k points

1 Answer

0 votes

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
by
8.4k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.