Question
In an arithmetic sequence you add or subtract the same numbe each time. In a geometric sequence you multiply or divide by the same number each time. Are the following sequences arithmetic or geometric? a) 5,7,9,11,ldots b) 3,6,12,24,ldots 32, 25, 18, 11, ldots
Answer
4.1
(371 Votes)
Hudson
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
а) Arithmetic sequenceb) Geometric sequencec) Arithmetic sequence
Explanation
The problem prescribes two different types of series - arithmetic and geometric. Subsequent terms in an arithmetic progression (sequence) can be determined by adding or subtracting a constant difference for each subsequent transition. On the other hand, in a geometric progression the ratio of one term to the previous term is constant and each term can be found either by multiplying it by a constant multiplier or by dividing it by a constant divisor.Part (a): In sequence
, from each term to the next, we're adding 2. This right here is going to be an arithmetic progression where the common difference 'd' equals 2.Part (b): In sequence
, each term appears to be 2 times the previous term. The common ratio 'r' in this case is depicted as 2, rendering it a geometric progression.Part (c): Observation of the sequence
shows the successive terms which is resulting in common difference of negative 7. Our common difference 'd' is -7 for arithmetic sequence, without any multiplication by common factor, thus we have another arithmetic sequence in a descending order catching our attention.