Module LAS Math 10
Module LAS Math 10
GEOMETRIC MEANS
In the sequence 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, the terms 4, 8, and 16 are the three geometric means between
2 and 32. The terms between two given terms in a geometric sequence are called geometric
means.
Example:
a. Insert two geometric means between 7 and 875.
b. Find the geometric mean between 7 and 63.
Solution:
a. There are four terms in the given sequence: 7, __, __, 875
First, find r using the formula:
a4 = a1r4-1
875 = 7r3
875 7𝑟 3
=
7 7
125 = r3
3
√125 = 𝑟
5=r
9 = r2
√9 = 𝑟
±3 = r
Note: If a single geometric mean is inserted between two numbers, it is called geometric
mean of the numbers. If b is the geometric mean between a and d, then a, b, d, is a geometric
sequence and
𝑎 𝑏
=
𝑏 𝑑
Thus, b2 = ad or b = ±√𝑎𝑑.
Therefore, the geometric mean between 7 and 63 is ±√(7)(63) or ±21.
Activity 1: Insert the indicated number of geometric means between the given numbers. Write the
resulting geometric sequence. Write your answer on a 1 whole sheet of paper.
1. Two geometric means between 3 and 5,184.
2. Two geometric means between 4 and 864.
3. Two geometric means between -5 and 1,080.
4. Two geometric means between -2 and 686.
5. Two geometric means between -22 and -176.
6. Three geometric means between 2 and 512.
7. Three geometric means between 7 and 567.
GEOMETRIC SERIES
where a1 is the first term, r is the common ratio, and n is the number of n terms.
Example:
Find the sum of the
a. first 12 terms of the geometric sequence 3, -9, 27, -81, 243, …
1 1 1 1
b. geometric sequence 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, …
Solution:
a. Given a1 = 3 and r = -9 ÷ 3 = -3
Solve for S12 by substituting n with 12, a1 with 3, and r with -3 into the formula,
𝑎 (1−𝑟 𝑛 )
𝑆𝑛 = 1 1−𝑟
3(1−(−3)12 )
𝑆12 = 1−(−3)
3(1 − 531,441)
𝑆12 = 1+3
3(− 531,440)
𝑆12 = 4
−1,594,320
𝑆12 = 4
b. This is the case of getting the sum of infinite geometric series with a common ratio,
1 𝒂𝟏
. In the same manner, the sum can be computed using the formula: 𝑺∞ = 𝟏−𝒓
2
where a1 is the first term and r is the common ratio. Thus,
𝑎1 1 1
𝑆∞ = 1−𝑟 → 𝑆∞ = 1 = 1 = 𝟐
1−
2 2
Activity 2: For each given geometric sequence, find the sum of the first:
1) 5 terms of 4, 12, 36, 108, …
2) 6 terms of 3, -6, 12, -24, …
3) 6 terms of -3, 3, -3, 3, …
4) 7 terms of -3, 3, -3, 3, …
3 3 3 3
5) 8 terms of 4, 4, 4, 4, …
HARMONIC SEQUENCES
If a1, a2, a3, …, an are terms of an arithmetic sequence, then the sequence of reciprocals of
1 1 1 1
these terms, 𝑎 , 𝑎 , 𝑎 , …, 𝑎 is called a harmonic sequence.
1 2 3 𝑛
Example:
1 1 1
Find: (a) the seventh term of the harmonic sequence 2, 6, 10, …
1 1 1 1
(b) the fifteenth term of the harmonic sequence 10, 14, 18, 22, …
Solution:
a. This can easily be done by applying our knowledge of arithmetic sequences. If a1
is the first term of the related arithmetic sequence and d is the common difference,
then
a1 = 2 and d=4
Thus,
an = a1 + (n – 1)d
a7 = 2 + (7 – 1)4 Replace n with 7, a1 with 2, and d with 4.
a7 = 2 + (6)4
a7 = 2 + 24
𝟏
a7 = 26 → 𝟐𝟔
1
Hence, the 7th term of the harmonic sequence is .
26
b. From the related arithmetic sequence 10, 14, 18, 22, … (which is the
denominator of the given sequence)
a1 = 10 and d = 4
Find a15 by substituting 10 for a1, 15 for n, and 4 for d into the formula
an = a1 + (n – 1)d.
a15 = a1 + (n – 1)d
a15 = 10 + (15 – 1)4
a15 = 10 + (14)4
a15 = 10 + 56
𝟏
a15 = 66 → 𝟔𝟔
𝟏
Therefore, 𝟔𝟔 is the 15th term of the harmonic sequence.