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A geometric sequence has a common ratio of 22 and the 12th12th term is −12,288.−12,288.

What is the explicit rule that describes this sequence?

User Vmtrue
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

Tₙ = -3(2)ⁿ

Explanation:

The explicit rule for determining the nth term of a geometric sequence is expressed as Tₙ = arⁿ⁻¹ where;

a is the first term of the geometric sequence

r is the common ratio

n is the number of terms

If a geometric sequence has a common ratio of 2 and the 12th term is −12,288, then;

T₁₂ = ar¹²⁻¹

T₁₂ = ar¹¹

Given T₁₂ = -12,288 and r = 2, we can calculate the first term a

-12,288 = a2¹¹

a = -12,288/2¹¹

a = -12,288/2048

a = -6

Since the explicit rule for determining the nth term of a geometric sequence is expressed as Tₙ = arⁿ⁻¹, then for the sequence given, the explicit rule will be;

Tₙ = -6(2)ⁿ⁻¹

Tₙ = -6 * 2ⁿ * 2⁻¹

Tₙ = -6 * 2ⁿ * 1/2

Tₙ = -3(2)ⁿ

Hence the explicit rule that describes this sequence is Tₙ = -3(2)ⁿ

User Ashley Wrench
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