Year 12 Math Advanced

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Financial Mathematics

M1.3: Geometric Sequences and Series

 Defining Geometric Sequences

 Nth Term in Geometric Sequences

 Sum of Geometric Sequences

 Limiting Sum of Geometric Series

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Year 12 Math Advanced
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Defining Geometric Sequences

While an arithmetic progression has each term differing by a constant amount, a geometric
progression is a progression in which the ratio of successive terms is constant.

In other words, each successive term is formed by multiplying the preceding term by a constant
number. This is the common ratio.

For example,

2,4 , 8,16,32 , … (Geometric Sequence)

×2 (common ratio)

Question 1

1
Write out the first 4 terms of a geometric sequence with a first term of 8 and a common ratio of .
2

Question 2

5 5
What is the first term in a geometric sequence if the 4 th term is and the 6th term is
27 243

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Nth Term in Geometric Sequences

The formula for the nth term of a geometric progression is given by:

n−1
T n=a r

From this we deduce the relationship between each successive term:

T n +1
=r
Tn

Question 3
n
The nth term of a geometric sequence is T n=25 ×2

a) Write out the first six terms and hence find a and r
b) Find in factored form T 50 ×T 25 and T 50 ÷ T 25
c) Prove that T 9 × T 11=25 T 20
d) Find which terms are between 1000 and 100,000 and how many such terms exist

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Question 4

Find x and the common difference or ratio, if x−2 , x+2,5 x−2 form:

a) An arithmetic Progression
b) A Geometric Progression

Sum of a Geometric Series

The sum of a geometric progression is given by:

a ( r −1 )
n
Sn =
r−1

However where |r|< 1 the following formula is simpler to use:

a ( 1−r n )
Sn =
1−r

Question 5

Use the formula for the sum of a geometric progression to find:

2 3 9 27
+1+ + +
3 2 4 8

Question 6

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−1 1 1
Find S10 given that S ( n )= + − +1−…
5 √ 5 5 √5

Question 7
n n
The sequence T n=2 ×3 +3 ×2 is the sum of two GPs. Find Sn.

Question 8
n
The sequence T n=2 n+3+2 is the sum of an AP and a GP. Use a combination of formulae to
evaluate Sn

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Limiting Sum
All geometric series that satisfy the condition that

|r|< 1
possess a limiting sum which is given by:

a
lim S n=
n→∞ 1−r

Question 9

a a
Find the value of a given that the limiting sum of the series is 3 a+ a+ + … is equal to 2
3 9

Question 10

1
Assume that ( √ 5+ √ 3 ) + ( √ 5− √3 ) + … forms a GP; verify that lim S n=T 1 + √3
n→∞ 3

Question 11

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Year 12 Math Advanced
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A new toy comes into the market which sells 20,000 units in the first month. Popularity continues to
decrease in the following months, with sales reducing to 70% of what it was in the previous month.

a) How many units are sold eventually

b) What proportion are sold in the first 6 months
c) In which month will monthly sales for the first time drop below 500
d) What proportion are sold before this month

Question 12

Insert three terms between 2 and 162 so that the five numbers form a geometric sequence.

Practice Using Geometric Sequences

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Question 13

If 3 , a , b , c , 48 form a GP, find a , b , c

Question 14

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Question 15

1 1 1 1
Find the sum of the geometric series 1+ + + +…+
2 4 8 4096

Question 16

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Question 17

The series 12 ,−6 ,3 is geometric

a) State the common ratio

b) Find a formula for the nth term
c) Find the 18th term as a fraction in its lowest term
d) Find the sum of the first 18 terms, as a rational number in its lower terms
2n+3 +23
e) Challenge: Show that the sum of the first n terms (n odd) is given by
2n

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Question 18

Consider the geometric series:

2 2 2 2 4
sin θ+sin θ cos θ+sin θ cos θ +…

π
Where 0<θ <
2
2n
i) Show that the sum of the first n terms is given by Sn=1−cos θ
ii) Explain why this series always has a limiting sum
2n
iii) Let S be the limiting sum and show that S−S n=cos θ
π −6
iv) If θ= , find the least value of n for which S−S n< 10
3

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Question 19

A uniform cube has three green faces, two white faces, and one red face. If a player throws a green
face they win; if red, they lose and if white they throw again. Robert will throw until he either wins
or loses. What is the probability that:

i) Robert wins with his third throw

ii) Robert wins with his first, second, or third throw
iii) Robert wins

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Question 20

Consider the series 2 N +2N −1+ 2N −2+ …+21−N +2−N where n is a positive integer

i) Find an expression in terms of N for the number of terms in the series

ii) Find an expression in terms of N for the sum of the series

Question 21

i) Express 0.1 5̇ as an infinite series

ii) Hence express 0.1 5̇ as a fraction without common factors

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Question 21

The sum of the first 10 terms of the series log 2 ( 1x )+log ( x1 )+log ( x1 )+… (x >0) is -440. Find
2 2 2 3

the value of x

Question 22

1
The geometric series a+ ar +a r 2 +… has a second term of and has a limiting sum of 1
4

i) Show that a=1−r

ii) Solve a pair of simultaneous equations to find r

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Question 23

π
Consider the series sin 2 x+ sin 4 x+ sin 6 x+ … for 0< x <
2

i) Show that a limiting sum exists

ii) Find the limiting sum in its simplest form

Question 24

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Question 25

Question 26

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Question 27

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Question 28

A logo is made of 20 squares with a common corner, as shown in the diagram. The odd-numbered
stripes between successive squares are shaded in the diagram. The shaded stripes are painted in
gold which costs $9 per square centimetre. The side length of the nth square is (2 n+ 4). The nth strip
lies between the nth square and the ( n+1 )th square.

i) Show that the area of the nth stripe is ( 8 n+20 ) c m2

ii) Hence find the areas of the first and last stripes
iii) Hence find the total cost of the gold paint of the logo

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Year 12 Math Advanced
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Year 12 Math Advanced
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Year 12 Math Advanced
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