138k views
2 votes
Write the equation of the arithmetic and geometricsequences given 15, 5, ...a. arithmeticb. geometric

1 Answer

1 vote

The rate in a arithmetic sequence can be determined by the subtraction of two subsequent terms:


a_2-a_1=r

So, using the second term equal to 5 and the first one equal to 15, we have:


\begin{gathered} 5-15=r \\ r=-10 \end{gathered}

Now, using the formula for the nth term of a arithmetic sequence, we have:


\begin{gathered} a_n=a_1+(n-1)\cdot r \\ a_n=15-10(n-1) \end{gathered}

Now, for the geometric sequence, the rate is given by the division of two subsequent terms:


(a_2)/(a_1)=q

So we have that:


\begin{gathered} (5)/(15)=q \\ q=(1)/(3) \end{gathered}

The nth term of a geometric sequence is given by:


\begin{gathered} a_n=a_1\cdot q^(n-1) \\ a_n=15\cdot((1)/(3))^(n-1) \end{gathered}

User Pdiddy
by
9.3k points

No related questions found

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

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories