Problema Solution

11. In a geometric sequence the sum of the 2nd and 3rd terms is 12 and the sum of the 3rd and 4th terms is 60. Find the common ratio and the first term.

Answer provided by our tutors

the general form of a geometric sequence is a, ar, ar^2, ar^3, ar^4... where a is the first term and r is the common ratio


the sum of the 2nd and 3rd terms is 12


ar^2 + ar^3 = 12


the sum of the 3rd and 4th terms is 60


ar^3 + ar^4 = 60


by solving the system of equations


ar^2 + ar^3 = 12

ar^3 + ar^4 = 60


we find


a = 0.08

r = 5


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https://www.quickmath.com/webMathematica3/quickmath/equations/solve/advanced.jsp#c=solve_advancedsolveequations&v1=ar%5E2+%2B+ar%5E3+%3D+12%0Aar%5E3+%2B+ar%5E4+%3D+60&v2=a%0Ar


the first term is 0.08.

the common ratio is 5.