C06 AP & GP & Binomial - Geometric Sequences

GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES
Maths SL
Learning Objectives
a) What is a GP and it’s associated notation
b) Derive
c) Applying
d) 2 formulas for and when to use each.
e) When can exist?
f) Analysis to derive from
g) How do FINONACCI sequences explain
beauty?
h) EXTENSION: Derive and present to class
i) manual method nCr
j) solve difficult Q with i)
Revisit Sigma with sum of AP
Given sigma notation find sum of the
series….
=
= 52
Does r have to start at 0?
Finding binomial coefficients
The value of n! gets large very quickly as the value of n increases. For example:
5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120
12! = 12 × 11 × 10 × … × 2 × 1 = 479 001 600

20! = 20 × 19 × 18 × … × 2 × 1 = 2 432 902 008 176 640 000
Fortunately, when we use the formula
n n!
 r  = r! n − r !
  ( )
to calculate binomial coefficients, many of the numbers cancel out. For example, for 4C2 we
have
2
4 4! 4? ? ? 4?
= =
 2  2! 2! (2 ? )? 2 ? ) = =6
  2?
Finding binomial coefficients
Here are some more examples:
8 8! 8? ? ? ? ? ? ? 8? ?
= =
 3  3! 5! (3 ? ? )? 5 ? ? ? ? ) = = 56
  3? ?
56 is therefore the coefficient of a3b5 in the expansion of (a + b)8.
4
9 9! 9? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 9?
= =
 7  7! 2! (7 ? ? ? ? ? ? )? 2 ? ) = = 36
  2?
36 is therefore the coefficient of a7b2 in the expansion of (a + b)9.
Volunteer
Geometric sequences
In a geometric sequence (or geometric progression) each term is produced by multiplying
the previous term by a constant value called the common ratio.
For example, the sequence
3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, …
is a geometric sequence that starts with 3 and has a common ratio of 2.
a=3 and r=2

We could write this sequence as
1 2 3 4 5 88 432 n
3, 3 × 2, 3 × 2 × 2, 3 × 2 × 2 × 2, 3 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2, …
3, 3 × 2, 3 × 2 2, 3 × 23 , 3 × 24 ,
You have derived the formula for this particular GP.

Deriving nth term formulas
• Standard task:
Use a similar method to derive the nth term
formula for the specific GP:
5,20,80,320…..
• More challenging task:

Derive the Generic nth term formula for any GP.
Hint: first term=a common ratio= r
Nth term formula GP
un = arn–1 Which means
Common Mistake
Applying the nth term formula
r=4 r=0.5
a=3 a=10
Check that your nth term formula works by utilising GDC to generate it.
Same as AP.
See next 2 slides if need reminding….
“y=“ and enter nth
term formula
“2nd” “table” and
should see your GP.
It must start when
x=1
Ex 6D Q1-2
Sum of a GP formulae…..
[1]
[2]
Questions We chose either [1] or [2] based on which

a) Why do we write Makes our life easier.
b) Can you derive [2] from [1]? Normally being which denominator will not
Hint: equivalent fractions Give us a negative answer.
ATL…..Volunteer to explain this to
class next lesson
a) a=2 and r=3 c) Choose this
equation as r=3 so
b) un = arn–1 This will give a
denominator of 2
as opposed to -2 if we
used the alternate
formula.
Ex 6D Q3-5
a=1 and r =
Shall use this formula as

will in this case result in a positive
denominator
i.e. n=4
Convert 1 whole into a fraction.
Remember common denominator
needed
fraction / fraction
=fraction x (1/fraction)
N.B
256 = 64 x 4
N.B
255 = 85 x 3
But not quite finished as………..
Show is a command term.

Remember this means you can not use this knowledge in your workings
i.e work backwards from this.
It is the equivalent of the answer at the back of the book.
Remember …..a=1 and r =
Just expand out -1(n-1)
Q.E.D baby!
Calc each by using this.
Or using common sense
Take out a factor of
Label [1] Divide both sides by

Calc each by using this.
.or common sense.
Take out a factor of
Label [2] From previously

[1]
Sub [1] into [2]

From previous slide
Cancels out.
Label [3] remember [1]
Substitute [3] into [1]

So check:
Using our a and r
2,-6,18,-54….
Does the parameters of the question hold true for our answer?
Show that there are two possible geometric sequences in each of which the
1st term is 8 and the sum of the first three terms is 14.
For the GS with the positive common ratio show that
This is a more intuitive approach than

Using Sn formula which could prove
Problemmatic.
N.B if a=8 then is 8

multiplied by r.
Calc similarly
This is a quadratic set it up ready

for solving
From last slide
Make it easier to solve by taking a

factor out of each term.
Now factorise fully….
Hence there are 2 solutions/ values of r

Which make this equation work!
Check a=8, r=0.5 Check a=8, r=-1.5
8, 4, 2, 1……….. 8,-12, 18 , -27 ……
Do the parameters of the question hold true ?

Still not finished last part of the Q
For the GS with the positive common ratio show that
remember
From last slide
fraction / fraction
=fraction x (1/fraction)
Multiplying numerators and

Denominators.
Use this Sn formula
as r value gives
a positive
n=10 denominator
N.B. use lots of
brackets.
Real Life:
Patterns can help us make predictions
about the near and distant future.
Patterns can help us…..
1,1,2,3,5,8,13……….
Can this sequence really explain
what human beings find
beautiful?
Schedule
• Time to shine: Deandre proof of Sn

• Time to shine: Dominic manual nCr
• Sum to infinity activity
• Sum to infinity analysis
• Sum to infinity GDC convergence
• 2 sum to infinity examples
• 3 log rules
Now we’ll look at a very specific situation for the sum of a GP…….
How would most people describe what r is ?

Halving activity to find sum to infinity..
Is this a geometric series?
1+ 1
2 + 1
4 + 1
8 + 1
16 + ...
Create this diagram yourself in your note book to help you answer
1
2
1 1
1
16 1 1
1 4 2
8
Analysis of
Activity
a) Choose any fraction you like define it as r
b) Calculate
Important:
Can you explain why as
a c) What happens as n gets larger and

HENCE S∞ = larger
1− r
But only when
How does Reconcile with

In the next slide do not use the
Formula for
What do you notice about
the terms as n (aka x) gets
larger?
Why does this mean
Convergence occurs i.e. there
is a value?
See Video…….GP Un and Sn using tables and Sum infinity TI-84
Extension: The sum to infinity 1+ 1
2 + 1
4 + 1
8 + 1
16 + ...
If we use the formula
a(1 − r n ) 1
Sn = with a = 1 and r = 2 we have
1− r
1 − ( 21 )n
= 1
2
Can you show……..

1 − ( 21 )n
= 1
2
Now for some analysis
1
As n → ∞, n−1 → 0.
2
So: S∞ = 2
where S∞ = lim S n
n →∞
Calc Check….
Label [1]
Sub [1] into [2] Label [2]

From last slide
Expand out brackets and multiply

Both sides by 7.
Label [3] So this is the positive common ratio
Label [1] From slide 50
Sub 3 into 1
Access Q’s 6E

C06 AP & GP & Binomial - Geometric Sequences

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GEOMETRIC SEQUENCES

12! = 12 × 11 × 10 × … × 2 × 1 = 479 001 600

Fortunately, when we use the formula

56 is therefore the coefficient of a3b5 in the expansion of (a + b)8.

36 is therefore the coefficient of a7b2 in the expansion of (a + b)9.

For example, the sequence

3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, …

is a geometric sequence that starts with 3 and has a common ratio of 2.

a=3 and r=2

You have derived the formula for this particular GP.

• More challenging task:

un = arn–1 Which means

Questions We chose either [1] or [2] based on which

Shall use this formula as

Show is a command term.

Remember …..a=1 and r =

Just expand out -1(n-1)

Or using common sense

Take out a factor of

Label [1] Divide both sides by

Take out a factor of

Label [2] From previously

Sub [1] into [2]

Label [3] remember [1]

Substitute [3] into [1]

For the GS with the positive common ratio show that

This is a more intuitive approach than

N.B if a=8 then is 8

This is a quadratic set it up ready

Make it easier to solve by taking a

Now factorise fully….

Hence there are 2 solutions/ values of r

8, 4, 2, 1……….. 8,-12, 18 , -27 ……

Do the parameters of the question hold true ?

Multiplying numerators and

• Time to shine: Deandre proof of Sn

How would most people describe what r is ?

Can you explain why as

a c) What happens as n gets larger and

How does Reconcile with

Can you show……..

Now for some analysis

Sub [1] into [2] Label [2]

Expand out brackets and multiply

Label [1] From slide 50

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