Find Any Term of a Geometric Sequence

A geometric sequence is a sequence derived by multiplying the last term by a constant. Geometric progressions have many uses in today's society, such as calculating interest on money in a bank account. So if you were wondering how exactly you would work out how much money you'll have in there in a few years, this article will help you find out.

Steps

1. Identify the first term in the sequence, call this number a.
2. Calculate the common ratio (r) of the sequence. It can be calculated by dividing any term of the geometric sequence by the term preceding it.
3. Identify the number of term you wish to find in the sequence. Call this number n.
   • For example, if you wish to find the 8^th term in the sequence, then n = 8.
4. The n^th term is given by ar^n-1. Simply insert the values of a, r and n in this formula and evaluate the resulting expression to get the n^th term.

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See also

• Use the Slope Intercept Form (in Algebra)
• Start Working with Continued Fractions
• Convert a Quadratic Formula to Roots Form by Completing the Square
• Factor Second Degree Polynomials (Quadratic Equations)
• Understand Linear Equations
• Understand Slope (in Algebra)
• Prove That the Square Root of Two Is Irrational
• Factor a Cubic Polynomial
• Calculate Frequency
• Find the Maximum or Minimum Value of a Quadratic Function Easily

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What links here

• Find Any Term of an Arithmetic Sequence
• Find the Sum of a Geometric Sequence
• Solve Recurrence Relations