Solving geometric progressions online. Geometric progression

Geometric progression- non-zero number sequence, formed as a result of multiplying each subsequent term by a given coefficient not equal to zero.

Sequencing

Before understanding progression, you should understand the definition of a numerical sequence and the law that governs it. Let's remember the natural series - the first number sequence that we study back in kindergarten. These are integers used to count items. The beginning looks like this:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10... n

If we associate each number in the natural series with another number formed according to a certain formula, we get a new sequence:

a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7, a8, a9, a10 ... an

The number an is a general member of the sequence and the law that forms the elements of the series. Obviously, the formula for specifying the natural series is simply n. For a sequence of even numbers, each element and common term is given by the formula 2n, and for odd numbers - 2n − 1.

Arithmetic and geometric progressions

Another example of the work of geometric progression is the epidemic spread of influenza. For example, one patient can infect 12 people per day, each of the 12 will also infect 12 more people, so on the second day there will be 144 patients, on the third - 1,728, and on the fourth - 20,736.

Our program generates a geometric progression of the selected value. To do this, you will need to enter the value of the first term in the “First Number” cell, the denominator of the progression in the “Difference (Step)” cell, and the number of elements of the sequence in the “Last Number” cell. After this, the program will provide numbers that correspond to the law of geometric progression.

Let's look at an example

Cash game by mail

During the Soviet era, there was a scam based on the principle of geometric progression. The essence of the scam is as follows. People received letters indicating 5 addresses and instructions:

  • send to addresses for 1 ruble;
  • cross out the first address and enter yours as the fifth;
  • send invitation letters with the specified addresses to your friends and acquaintances.

Adventurers provided a logical explanation for the mechanism of enrichment. Indeed, if the people you invite send 1 ruble each, then you will return the money spent. Five invited participants in the game will send letters to their friends, in which your address is indicated as number 4. The number of such letters is already 25, and the next wave of invitees will send you a total of 25 rubles. After which 25 people will be sent 5 letters, where your address is the third and this is already 125 envelopes of 1 ruble each.

How much money did the scammers promise at the end of the round of invitations? The answer lies in a simple geometric progression. According to their version, there will be 5 waves of invitations with your address. Since we do not take into account the unit, but start with 5 letters, the last number will be equal to 6. The first, naturally, is 1. The step of our geometric progression is 5. We enter this data into the cells of the calculator and get the sequence:

1, 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125,

the sum of the elements of the sequence is 3906. It was the profit of 3906 rubles that the scammers promised to gullible citizens. Naturally, in practice, all the money went to the organizers of the game, since at the first step the scammers sent not one letter, but hundreds, in which their own addresses were indicated. Even if at the first step the scammers send only 200 letters, then by the fifth step 625,000 people should join the game, and the organizers will receive more than 700,000 rubles from them. Further steps no longer make sense.

Conclusion

Geometric progression is often found in reality. Use our catalog of calculators to solve interesting problems or test educational examples.

Geometric progression no less important in mathematics compared to arithmetic. A geometric progression is a sequence of numbers b1, b2,..., b[n] each next term of which is obtained by multiplying the previous one by constant number. This number, which also characterizes the rate of growth or decrease of progression, is called denominator of geometric progression and denote

For complete task of a geometric progression, in addition to the denominator, it is necessary to know or determine its first term. For positive value denominator progression is monotonous sequence, and if this sequence of numbers is monotonically decreasing and if it is monotonically increasing. The case when the denominator equal to one in practice is not considered, since we have the sequence identical numbers, and their summation is of no practical interest

General term of geometric progression calculated by the formula

Sum of the first n terms of a geometric progression determined by the formula

Let's consider solutions classical problems to geometric progression. Let's start with the simplest ones to understand.

Example 1. The first term of a geometric progression is 27, and its denominator is 1/3. Find the first six terms of the geometric progression.

Solution: Let us write the problem condition in the form

For calculations we use the formula for the nth term of a geometric progression

Based on it, we find the unknown terms of the progression

As you can see, calculating the terms of a geometric progression is not difficult. The progression itself will look like this

Example 2. The first three terms of the geometric progression are given: 6; -12; 24. Find the denominator and its seventh term.

Solution: We calculate the denominator of the geomitric progression based on its definition

We have obtained an alternating geometric progression whose denominator is equal to -2. The seventh term is calculated using the formula

This solves the problem.

Example 3. A geometric progression is given by two of its terms . Find the tenth term of the progression.

Solution:

Let's write it down set values through formulas

According to the rules, one would need to find the denominator and then look for desired value, but for the tenth term we have

The same formula can be obtained based on simple manipulations with the input data. Divide the sixth term of the series by another, and as a result we get

If the resulting value is multiplied by the sixth term, we get the tenth

Thus, for such tasks, using simple transformations to quick way you can find the right solution.

Example 4. Geometric progression is given by recurrent formulas

Find the denominator of the geometric progression and the sum of the first six terms.

Solution:

Let's write the given data in the form of a system of equations

Express the denominator by dividing the second equation by the first

Let's find the first term of the progression from the first equation

Let us calculate the following five terms to find the sum of the geometric progression

First level

Geometric progression. Comprehensive guide with examples (2019)

Number sequence

So, let's sit down and start writing some numbers. For example:

You can write any numbers, and there can be as many of them as you like (in our case, there are them). No matter how many numbers we write, we can always say which one is first, which one is second, and so on until the last, that is, we can number them. This is an example of a number sequence:

Number sequence is a set of numbers, each of which can be assigned a unique number.

For example, for our sequence:

The assigned number is specific to only one number in the sequence. In other words, there are no three second numbers in the sequence. The second number (like the th number) is always the same.

The number with the number is called the nth member of the sequence.

We usually call the entire sequence by some letter (for example,), and each member of this sequence is the same letter with an index equal to the number of this member: .

In our case:

The most common types of progression are arithmetic and geometric. In this topic we will talk about the second type - geometric progression.

Why is geometric progression needed and its history?

Even in ancient times, the Italian mathematician monk Leonardo of Pisa (better known as Fibonacci) dealt with the practical needs of trade. The monk was faced with the task of determining with the help of which least amount weights can you weigh the goods? In his works, Fibonacci proves that such a system of weights is optimal: This is one of the first situations in which people had to deal with a geometric progression, which you have probably already heard about and have at least general concept. Once you fully understand the topic, think about why such a system is optimal?

Currently, in life practice, geometric progression manifests itself when investing money in a bank, when the amount of interest is accrued on the amount accumulated in the account for the previous period. In other words, if you put money on a time deposit in a savings bank, then after a year the deposit will increase by the original amount, i.e. new amount will be equal to the contribution multiplied by. In another year, this amount will increase by, i.e. the amount obtained at that time will again be multiplied by and so on. Similar situation described in problems for calculating the so-called compound interest- the percentage is taken each time from the amount that is in the account, taking into account previous interest. We'll talk about these tasks a little later.

There are many more simple cases, where geometric progression is applied. For example, the spread of influenza: one person infected another person, they, in turn, infected another person, and thus the second wave of infection is a person, and they, in turn, infected another... and so on...

By the way, a financial pyramid, the same MMM, is a simple and dry calculation based on the properties of a geometric progression. Interesting? Let's figure it out.

Geometric progression.

Let's say we have a number sequence:

You will immediately answer that this is easy and the name of such a sequence is an arithmetic progression with the difference of its terms. How about this:

If you subtract the previous one from the subsequent number, you will see that each time you get new difference(etc.), but the sequence definitely exists and is easy to notice - each next number times more than the previous one!

This type of number sequence is called geometric progression and is designated.

Geometric progression () is a numerical sequence, the first term of which is different from zero, and each term, starting from the second, is equal to the previous one, multiplied by the same number. This number is called the denominator of a geometric progression.

The restrictions that the first term ( ) is not equal and are not random. Let's assume that there are none, and the first term is still equal, and q is equal to, hmm.. let it be, then it turns out:

Agree that this is no longer a progression.

As you understand, we will get the same results if there is any number other than zero, a. In these cases, there will simply be no progression, since the entire number series there will either be all zeros, or one number and all the rest zeros.

Now let's talk in more detail about the denominator of the geometric progression, that is, o.

Let's repeat: - this is the number how many times does each subsequent term change? geometric progression.

What do you think it could be? That's right, positive and negative, but not zero (we talked about this a little higher).

Let's assume that ours is positive. Let in our case, a. What is the value of the second term and? You can easily answer that:

That's right. Accordingly, if, then all subsequent terms of the progression have same sign- They are positive.

What if it's negative? For example, a. What is the value of the second term and?

This is a completely different story

Try to count the terms of this progression. How much did you get? I have. Thus, if, then the signs of the terms of the geometric progression alternate. That is, if you see a progression with alternating signs for its members, then its denominator is negative. This knowledge can help you test yourself when solving problems on this topic.

Now let's practice a little: try to determine which number sequences are a geometric progression and which are an arithmetic progression:

Got it? Let's compare our answers:

  • Geometric progression - 3, 6.
  • Arithmetic progression - 2, 4.
  • It is neither an arithmetic nor a geometric progression - 1, 5, 7.

Let's return to our last progression and try to find its member, just like in the arithmetic one. As you may have guessed, there are two ways to find it.

We successively multiply each term by.

So, the th term of the described geometric progression is equal to.

As you already guessed, now you yourself will derive a formula that will help you find any member of the geometric progression. Or have you already developed it for yourself, describing how to find the th member step by step? If so, then check the correctness of your reasoning.

Let us illustrate this with the example of finding the th term of this progression:

In other words:

Find the value of the term of the given geometric progression yourself.

Happened? Let's compare our answers:

Please note that you got exactly the same number as in the previous method, when we sequentially multiplied by each previous term of the geometric progression.
Let's try to "depersonalize" this formula- Let's put it in general form and get:

The derived formula is true for all values ​​- both positive and negative. Check this yourself by calculating the terms of the geometric progression with the following conditions: , A.

Did you count? Let's compare the results:

Agree that it would be possible to find a term of a progression in the same way as a term, however, there is a possibility of calculating incorrectly. And if we have already found the th term of the geometric progression, then what could be simpler than using the “truncated” part of the formula.

Infinitely decreasing geometric progression.

More recently, we talked about what can be either greater or less than zero, however, there is special meanings for which the geometric progression is called infinitely decreasing.

Why do you think this name is given?
First, let's write down some geometric progression consisting of terms.
Let's say, then:

We see that each subsequent term is less than the previous one by a factor, but will there be any number? You will immediately answer - “no”. That is why it is infinitely decreasing - it decreases and decreases, but never becomes zero.

To clearly understand how this looks visually, let's try to draw a graph of our progression. So, for our case, the formula takes the following form:

On graphs we are accustomed to plotting dependence on, therefore:

The essence of the expression has not changed: in the first entry we showed the dependence of the value of a member of a geometric progression on its ordinal number, and in the second entry we simply took the value of a member of a geometric progression as, and designated the ordinal number not as, but as. All that remains to be done is to build a graph.
Let's see what you got. Here's the graph I came up with:

Do you see? The function decreases, tends to zero, but never crosses it, so it is infinitely decreasing. Let’s mark our points on the graph, and at the same time what the coordinate and means:

Try to schematically depict a graph of a geometric progression if its first term is also equal. Analyze what is the difference with our previous graph?

Did you manage? Here's the graph I came up with:

Now that you have fully understood the basics of the topic of geometric progression: you know what it is, you know how to find its term, and you also know what an infinitely decreasing geometric progression is, let's move on to its main property.

Property of geometric progression.

Do you remember the property of members arithmetic progression? Yes, yes, how to find the value a certain number progression, when there are previous and subsequent values ​​of the members of this progression. Do you remember? This:

Now we are faced with exactly the same question for the terms of a geometric progression. To withdraw a similar formula, let's start drawing and reasoning. You'll see, it's very easy, and if you forget, you can get it out yourself.

Let's take another simple geometric progression, in which we know and. How to find? With arithmetic progression it is easy and simple, but what about here? In fact, there is nothing complicated in geometric either - you just need to write down each value given to us according to the formula.

You may ask, what should we do about it now? Yes, very simple. First, let's depict these formulas in a picture and try to do various manipulations with them in order to arrive at the value.

Let's abstract from the numbers that are given to us, let's focus only on their expression through the formula. We need to find the value highlighted orange, knowing the members adjacent to it. Let's try to produce with them various actions, as a result of which we can get.

Addition.
Let's try to add two expressions and we get:

From given expression, as you see, we cannot express it in any way, therefore, we will try another option - subtraction.

Subtraction.

As you can see, we cannot express this either, therefore, let’s try to multiply these expressions by each other.

Multiplication.

Now look carefully at what we have by multiplying the terms of the geometric progression given to us in comparison with what needs to be found:

Guess what I'm talking about? That's right, to find we need to take Square root from the geometric progression numbers adjacent to the desired one multiplied by each other:

Here you go. You yourself derived the property of geometric progression. Try writing this formula in general view. Happened?

Forgot the condition for? Think about why it is important, for example, try to calculate it yourself. What will happen in this case? That's right, complete nonsense because the formula looks like this:

Accordingly, do not forget this limitation.

Now let's calculate what it equals

Correct answer - ! If you didn't forget the second one when calculating possible meaning, then you are a great fellow and can immediately move on to training, and if you forgot, read what is discussed below and pay attention to why it is necessary to write down both roots in the answer.

Let's draw both of our geometric progressions - one with a value and the other with a value and check whether both of them have the right to exist:

In order to check whether such a geometric progression exists or not, it is necessary to see whether it is the same between all given members? Calculate q for the first and second cases.

See why we have to write two answers? Because the sign of the term you are looking for depends on whether it is positive or negative! And since we don’t know what it is, we need to write both answers with a plus and a minus.

Now that you have mastered the main points and derived the formula for the property of geometric progression, find, knowing and

Compare your answers with the correct ones:

What do you think, what if we were given not the values ​​of the terms of the geometric progression adjacent to the desired number, but equidistant from it. For example, we need to find, and given and. Can we use the formula we derived in this case? Try to confirm or refute this possibility in the same way, describing what each value consists of, as you did when you originally derived the formula, at.
What did you get?

Now look carefully again.
and correspondingly:

From this we can conclude that the formula works not only with neighboring with the desired terms of the geometric progression, but also with equidistant from what the members are looking for.

Thus, our initial formula takes the form:

That is, if in the first case we said that, now we say that it can be equal to any natural number, which is smaller. The main thing is that it is the same for both given numbers.

Practice on specific examples, just be extremely careful!

  1. , . Find.
  2. , . Find.
  3. , . Find.

Decided? I hope you were extremely attentive and noticed a small catch.

Let's compare the results.

In the first two cases, we calmly apply the above formula and get the following values:

In the third case, upon closer examination serial numbers numbers given to us, we understand that they are not equidistant from the number we are looking for: is the previous date, but is removed at the position, so it is not possible to apply the formula.

How to solve it? It's actually not as difficult as it seems! Let us write down what each number given to us and the number we are looking for consists of.

So we have and. Let's see what we can do with them? I suggest dividing by. We get:

We substitute our data into the formula:

The next step we can find - for this we need to take cube root from the resulting number.

Now let's look again at what we have. We have it, but we need to find it, and it, in turn, is equal to:

We found all the necessary data for the calculation. Substitute into the formula:

Our answer: .

Try solving another similar problem yourself:
Given: ,
Find:

How much did you get? I have - .

As you can see, essentially you need remember just one formula- . You can withdraw all the rest yourself without any difficulty at any time. To do this, simply write the simplest geometric progression on a piece of paper and write down what each of its numbers is equal to, according to the formula described above.

The sum of the terms of a geometric progression.

Now let's look at formulas that allow us to quickly calculate the sum of terms of a geometric progression in a given interval:

To derive the formula for the sum of terms of a finite geometric progression, multiply all parts of the above equation by. We get:

Look carefully: what do the last two formulas have in common? That's right, common members, for example, and so on, except for the first and last member. Let's try to subtract the 1st from the 2nd equation. What did you get?

Now express the term of the geometric progression through the formula and substitute the resulting expression into our last formula:

Group the expression. You should get:

All that remains to be done is to express:

Accordingly, in this case.

What if? What formula works then? Imagine a geometric progression at. What is she like? A series of identical numbers is correct, so the formula will look like this:

There are many legends about both arithmetic and geometric progression. One of them is the legend of Set, the creator of chess.

Many people know that the game of chess was invented in India. When the Hindu king met her, he was delighted with her wit and the variety of positions possible in her. Having learned that it was invented by one of his subjects, the king decided to personally reward him. He summoned the inventor to himself and ordered him to ask him for everything he wanted, promising to fulfill even the most skillful desire.

Seta asked for time to think, and when the next day Seta appeared before the king, he surprised the king with the unprecedented modesty of his request. He asked to give a grain of wheat for the first square of the chessboard, a grain of wheat for the second, a grain of wheat for the third, a fourth, etc.

The king was angry and drove Seth away, saying that the servant's request was unworthy of the king's generosity, but promised that the servant would receive his grains for all the squares of the board.

And now the question: using the formula for the sum of the terms of a geometric progression, calculate how many grains Seth should receive?

Let's start reasoning. Since, according to the condition, Seth asked for a grain of wheat for the first square of the chessboard, for the second, for the third, for the fourth, etc., then we see that in the problem we're talking about about geometric progression. What does it equal in this case?
Right.

Total squares of the chessboard. Respectively, . We have all the data, all that remains is to plug it into the formula and calculate.

To imagine at least approximately the “scale” given number, transform using the properties of the degree:

Of course, if you want, you can take a calculator and calculate what number you end up with, and if not, you’ll have to take my word for it: the final value of the expression will be.
That is:

quintillion quadrillion trillion billion million thousand.

Phew) If you want to imagine the enormity of this number, then estimate how large a barn would be required to accommodate the entire amount of grain.
If the barn is m high and m wide, its length would have to extend for km, i.e. twice as far as from the Earth to the Sun.

If the king were strong in mathematics, he could have invited the scientist himself to count the grains, because to count a million grains, he would need at least a day of tireless counting, and given that it is necessary to count quintillions, the grains would have to be counted throughout his life.

Now let’s solve a simple problem involving the sum of terms of a geometric progression.
A student of class 5A Vasya fell ill with the flu, but continues to go to school. Every day Vasya infects two people, who, in turn, infect two more people, and so on. There are only people in the class. In how many days will the whole class be sick with the flu?

So, the first term of the geometric progression is Vasya, that is, a person. The th term of the geometric progression is the two people he infected on the first day of his arrival. total amount members of the progression is equal to the number of students in 5A. Accordingly, we talk about a progression in which:

Let's substitute our data into the formula for the sum of the terms of a geometric progression:

The whole class will get sick within days. Don't believe formulas and numbers? Try to portray the “infection” of students yourself. Happened? Look how it looks for me:

Calculate for yourself how many days it would take for students to get sick with the flu if each one infected a person, and there were only one person in the class.

What value did you get? It turned out that everyone started getting sick after a day.

As you see, similar task and the drawing to it resembles a pyramid, in which each subsequent one “brings” new people. However, sooner or later a moment comes when the latter cannot attract anyone. In our case, if we imagine that the class is isolated, the person from closes the chain (). Thus, if a person were involved in financial pyramid, in which money was given if you bring two other participants, then the person (or general case) would not have brought anyone, and therefore would have lost everything they invested in this financial scam.

Everything that was said above refers to a decreasing or increasing geometric progression, but, as you remember, we have special kind- an infinitely decreasing geometric progression. How to calculate the sum of its members? And why does this type of progression have certain features? Let's figure it out together.

So, first, let's look again at this drawing of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression from our example:

Now let’s look at the formula for the sum of a geometric progression, derived a little earlier:
or

What are we striving for? That's right, the graph shows that it tends to zero. That is, at, will be almost equal, respectively, when calculating the expression we will get almost. In this regard, we believe that when calculating the sum of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression, this bracket can be neglected, since it will be equal.

- formula is the sum of the terms of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression.

IMPORTANT! We use the formula for the sum of terms of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression only if the condition explicitly states that we need to find the sum infinite number of members.

If a specific number n is specified, then we use the formula for the sum of n terms, even if or.

Now let's practice.

  1. Find the sum of the first terms of the geometric progression with and.
  2. Find the sum of the terms of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression with and.

I hope you were extremely careful. Let's compare our answers:

Now you know everything about geometric progression, and it’s time to move from theory to practice. The most common geometric progression problems encountered on the exam are problems calculating compound interest. These are the ones we will talk about.

Problems on calculating compound interest.

You've probably heard of the so-called compound interest formula. Do you understand what it means? If not, let’s figure it out, because once you understand the process itself, you will immediately understand what geometric progression has to do with it.

We all go to the bank and know that there are different conditions on deposits: this is the term, and additional service, and interest with two different ways its calculations - simple and complex.

WITH simple interest everything is more or less clear: interest is accrued once at the end of the deposit term. That is, if we say that we deposit 100 rubles for a year, then they will be credited only at the end of the year. Accordingly, by the end of the deposit we will receive rubles.

Compound interest- this is an option in which it occurs interest capitalization, i.e. their addition to the deposit amount and subsequent calculation of income not from the initial, but from the accumulated deposit amount. Capitalization does not occur constantly, but with some frequency. As a rule, such periods are equal and most often banks use a month, quarter or year.

Let’s assume that we deposit the same rubles annually, but with monthly capitalization of the deposit. What are we doing?

Do you understand everything here? If not, let's figure it out step by step.

We brought rubles to the bank. By the end of the month, we should have an amount in our account consisting of our rubles plus interest on them, that is:

Agree?

We can take it out of brackets and then we get:

Agree, this formula is already more similar to what we wrote at the beginning. All that's left is to figure out the percentages

In the problem statement we are told about annual rates. As you know, we don't multiply by - we convert percentages to decimals, that is:

Right? Now you may ask, where did the number come from? Very simple!
I repeat: the problem statement says about ANNUAL interest that accrues MONTHLY. As you know, in a year of months, accordingly, the bank will charge us a portion of the annual interest per month:

Realized it? Now try to write what this part of the formula would look like if I said that interest is calculated daily.
Did you manage? Let's compare the results:

Well done! Let's return to our task: write how much will be credited to our account in the second month, taking into account that interest is accrued on the accumulated deposit amount.
Here's what I got:

Or, in other words:

I think that you have already noticed a pattern and saw a geometric progression in all this. Write what its member will be equal to, or, in other words, what amount of money we will receive at the end of the month.
Did? Let's check!

As you can see, if you put money in the bank for a year at a simple interest rate, you will receive rubles, and if at a compound interest rate, you will receive rubles. The benefit is small, but this only happens during the th year, but for more a long period capitalization is much more profitable:

Let's consider another type of problem: compound interest. After what you have figured out, it will be elementary for you. So, the task:

The Zvezda company began investing in the industry in 2000, with capital in dollars. Every year since 2001, it has received a profit that is equal to the previous year's capital. How much profit will the Zvezda company receive at the end of 2003 if profits were not withdrawn from circulation?

Capital of the Zvezda company in 2000.
- capital of the Zvezda company in 2001.
- capital of the Zvezda company in 2002.
- capital of the Zvezda company in 2003.

Or we can write briefly:

For our case:

2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Respectively:
rubles
Please note that in this problem we do not have a division either by or by, since the percentage is given ANNUALLY and it is calculated ANNUALLY. That is, when reading a problem on compound interest, pay attention to what percentage is given and in what period it is calculated, and only then proceed to calculations.
Now you know everything about geometric progression.

Training.

  1. Find the term of the geometric progression if it is known that, and
  2. Find the sum of the first terms of the geometric progression if it is known that, and
  3. The MDM Capital company began investing in the industry in 2003, with capital in dollars. Every year since 2004, it has received a profit that is equal to the previous year's capital. MSK company Cash flows"began investing in the industry in 2005 in the amount of $10,000, starting to make a profit in 2006 in the amount of. By how many dollars is the capital of one company greater than the other at the end of 2007, if profits were not withdrawn from circulation?

Answers:

  1. Since the problem statement does not say that the progression is infinite and you need to find the sum specific number its members, then the calculation is carried out according to the formula:

  2. MDM Capital Company:

    2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
    - increases by 100%, that is, 2 times.
    Respectively:
    rubles
    MSK Cash Flows company:

    2005, 2006, 2007.
    - increases by, that is, by times.
    Respectively:
    rubles
    rubles

Let's summarize.

1) Geometric progression ( ) is a numerical sequence, the first term of which is different from zero, and each term, starting from the second, is equal to the previous one, multiplied by the same number. This number is called the denominator of a geometric progression.

2) The equation of the terms of the geometric progression is .

3) can take any values ​​except and.

  • if, then all subsequent terms of the progression have the same sign - they are positive;
  • if, then all subsequent terms of the progression alternate signs;
  • when - the progression is called infinitely decreasing.

4) , with - property of geometric progression (adjacent terms)

or
, at (equidistant terms)

When you find it, don’t forget that there should be two answers.

For example,

5) The sum of the terms of the geometric progression is calculated by the formula:
or

If the progression is infinitely decreasing, then:
or

IMPORTANT! We use the formula for the sum of terms of an infinitely decreasing geometric progression only if the condition explicitly states that we need to find the sum infinite number members.

6) Problems involving compound interest are also calculated using the formula for the th term of a geometric progression, provided that cash were not withdrawn from circulation:

GEOMETRIC PROGRESSION. BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MAIN THINGS

Geometric progression( ) is a numerical sequence, the first term of which is different from zero, and each term, starting from the second, is equal to the previous one, multiplied by the same number. This number is called denominator of a geometric progression.

Denominator of geometric progression can take any value except and.

  • If, then all subsequent terms of the progression have the same sign - they are positive;
  • if, then all subsequent members of the progression alternate signs;
  • when - the progression is called infinitely decreasing.

Equation of terms of geometric progression - .

Sum of terms of a geometric progression calculated by the formula:
or