Question: Use the geometric sequence to help write a recursive rule and an explicit rule for any geometric sequence:
Solution:
A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers in which the ratio between consecutive terms is constant. Remember that the constant factor (ratio) between consecutive terms of a geometric sequence is called the common ratio. Now, given a geometric sequence with the first term a1 and the common ratio r, the nth (or general) term is given by:
![a_n\text{ = }a_1r^(n-1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/eqrczhovnrsqyn4he3q0gpx09e5ltf6rz7.png)
Thus, in this case, the common ratio r is:
![r\text{ = }(10)/(5)\text{ = 2}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/yfwe3mflaoqjbw2uviqbsxa8elohdt1fq0.png)
On the other hand, the first term of the sequence is a1 = 5. Then, we can conclude that the explicit rule for the given sequence is:
![a_{n\text{ }}=5(2)^(n-1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/tfkff3rujyry1sbyqti581j5gmcrz0kvrk.png)
this is equivalent to:
![a_{n\text{ }}=5.2^n.2^(-1)](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/u83tfsx0223gdm7sxjj2dd6klild4ohii1.png)
this is equivalent to:
![a_{n\text{ }}=(5)/(2).2^n](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/j25xz457b0fsllr3jx7ibayqokzgwru2qg.png)
Then, the correct answer is:
The general rule:
![a_{n\text{ }}=(5)/(2).2^n](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/j25xz457b0fsllr3jx7ibayqokzgwru2qg.png)
the recursive rule:
![a_1=\text{ 5}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/h2yxdkj3l2no6r6dge22u0y1p10b6849bq.png)
![a_{n\text{ }}=(5)/(2).2^n](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/j25xz457b0fsllr3jx7ibayqokzgwru2qg.png)