Understanding the Sum of an Infinite Geometric Sequence

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 53 views

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Introduction

A geometric sequence is a type of sequence where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. In this article, we will explore how to calculate the first three terms of a geometric sequence given the sum of the sequence to infinity and the sum of the first three terms.

Understanding the Sum of an Infinite Geometric Sequence

The sum of an infinite geometric sequence can be calculated using the formula:

S_{\infty} = \frac{a}{1 - r}

where $a$ is the first term of the sequence and $r$ is the common ratio.

Understanding the Sum of the First Three Terms of a Geometric Sequence

The sum of the first three terms of a geometric sequence can be calculated using the formula:

S_3 = a + ar + ar^2

Given Information

We are given that the sum of the sequence to infinity is $\frac{3}{2}$ and the sum of the first three terms is $\frac{14}{9}$ . We can use this information to set up two equations:

\frac{3}{2} = \frac{a}{1 - r}

\frac{14}{9} = a + ar + ar^2

Solving for the Common Ratio

We can start by solving the first equation for $a$ :

a = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)

Substituting this expression for $a$ into the second equation, we get:

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) + \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)r + \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)r^2

Simplifying this equation, we get:

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (1 + r + r^2)

Factoring the Quadratic Expression

The quadratic expression $1 + r + r^2$ can be factored as:

1 + r + r^2 = (r + 1)^2 - r

Substituting this expression into the previous equation, we get:

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) ((r + 1)^2 - r)

Expanding and Simplifying

Expanding and simplifying the previous equation, we get:

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + 2r + 1 - r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + r + 1)

Solving for the Common Ratio

We can now solve for the common ratio $r$ :

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + r + 1)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (r^2 + r + 1 - r^2 - r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)(1 + r)

\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r^2)

\frac{<br/> # Q&A: Calculating the First Three Terms of a Geometric Sequence =============================================================

Q: What is a geometric sequence?

A: A geometric sequence is a type of sequence where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio.

Q: How do I calculate the sum of an infinite geometric sequence?

A: The sum of an infinite geometric sequence can be calculated using the formula:

S_{\infty} = \frac{a}{1 - r} </span></p> <p>where <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span> is the first term of the sequence and <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">r</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span> is the common ratio.</p> <h2>Q: How do I calculate the sum of the first three terms of a geometric sequence?</h2> <hr> <p>A: The sum of the first three terms of a geometric sequence can be calculated using the formula:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><msub><mi>S</mi><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">S_3 = a + ar + ar^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8333em;vertical-align:-0.15em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.05764em;">S</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.3011em;"><span style="top:-2.55em;margin-left:-0.0576em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.15em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8641em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: What if I'm given the sum of the sequence to infinity and the sum of the first three terms? How do I calculate the first three terms of the sequence?</h2> <hr> <p>A: If you're given the sum of the sequence to infinity and the sum of the first three terms, you can use the formulas above to set up two equations:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mi>a</mi><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi></mrow></mfrac></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{3}{2} = \frac{a}{1 - r} </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.8769em;vertical-align:-0.7693em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.1076em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.7693em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = a + ar + ar^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8641em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>You can then solve for the common ratio <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">r</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span> and use it to find the first three terms of the sequence.</p> <h2>Q: How do I solve for the common ratio?</h2> <hr> <p>A: To solve for the common ratio, you can start by solving the first equation for <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span>:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>Substituting this expression for <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span> into the second equation, you get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo>+</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) + \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)r + \frac{3}{2} (1 - r)r^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>Simplifying this equation, you get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (1 + r + r^2) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: What if I'm not sure how to solve for the common ratio?</h2> <hr> <p>A: If you're not sure how to solve for the common ratio, you can try factoring the quadratic expression <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">1 + r + r^2</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8141em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8141em;"><span style="top:-3.063em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>+</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">1 + r + r^2 = (r + 1)^2 - r </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8641em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p>Substituting this expression into the previous equation, you get:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn><msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) ((r + 1)^2 - r) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mopen">((</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mclose"><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: What if I'm still having trouble solving for the common ratio?</h2> <hr> <p>A: If you're still having trouble solving for the common ratio, you can try expanding and simplifying the previous equation:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + 2r + 1 - r) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">2</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.7278em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + r + 1) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: What is the common ratio?</h2> <hr> <p>A: The common ratio is the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">r</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span> that satisfies the equation:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mfrac><mn>14</mn><mn>9</mn></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>+</mo><mi>r</mi><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\frac{14}{9} = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) (r^2 + r + 1) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">9</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">14</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.6667em;vertical-align:-0.0833em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">+</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: How do I find the first three terms of the sequence?</h2> <hr> <p>A: Once you have found the common ratio, you can use it to find the first three terms of the sequence. The first term is <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span>, the second term is <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span>, and the third term is <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar^2</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8141em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8141em;"><span style="top:-3.063em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.</p> <h2>Q: What if I'm not sure how to find the first three terms of the sequence?</h2> <hr> <p>A: If you're not sure how to find the first three terms of the sequence, you can try substituting the value of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">r</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span> into the formulas for the first three terms:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) r </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar^2 = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) r^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8641em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: What are the first three terms of the sequence?</h2> <hr> <p>A: The first three terms of the sequence are:</p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) r </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class='katex-block'><span class="katex-display"><span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="block"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mn>3</mn><mn>2</mn></mfrac><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>−</mo><mi>r</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar^2 = \frac{3}{2} (1 - r) r^2 </annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8641em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span><span class="mrel">=</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2778em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:2.0074em;vertical-align:-0.686em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mopen nulldelimiter"></span><span class="mfrac"><span class="vlist-t vlist-t2"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:1.3214em;"><span style="top:-2.314em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">2</span></span></span><span style="top:-3.23em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="frac-line" style="border-bottom-width:0.04em;"></span></span><span style="top:-3.677em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:3em;"></span><span class="mord"><span class="mord">3</span></span></span></span><span class="vlist-s"></span></span><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.686em;"><span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="mclose nulldelimiter"></span></span><span class="mopen">(</span><span class="mord">1</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span><span class="mbin">−</span><span class="mspace" style="margin-right:0.2222em;"></span></span><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:1.1141em;vertical-align:-0.25em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="mclose">)</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8641em;"><span style="top:-3.113em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <h2>Q: How do I know if my answer is correct?</h2> <hr> <p>A: To check if your answer is correct, you can substitute the values of <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">a</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span></span></span></span>, <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><mi>r</mi></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.4306em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span></span></span></span>, and <span class="katex"><span class="katex-mathml"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><semantics><mrow><mi>a</mi><msup><mi>r</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><annotation encoding="application/x-tex">ar^2</annotation></semantics></math></span><span class="katex-html" aria-hidden="true"><span class="base"><span class="strut" style="height:0.8141em;"></span><span class="mord mathnormal">a</span><span class="mord"><span class="mord mathnormal" style="margin-right:0.02778em;">r</span><span class="msupsub"><span class="vlist-t"><span class="vlist-r"><span class="vlist" style="height:0.8141em;"><span style="top:-3.063em;margin-right:0.05em;"><span class="pstrut" style="height:2.7em;"></span><span class="sizing reset-size6 size3 mtight"><span class="mord mtight">2</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> into the formulas for the sum of the sequence to infinity and the sum of the first three terms. If the formulas are satisfied, then your answer is correct.</p> <h2>Q: What if I'm still having trouble?</h2> <hr> <p>A: If you're still having trouble, you can try re-reading the formulas and equations, or you can try asking a teacher or tutor for help.</p>