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Convergent geometric series and sum to infinity

The document discusses convergent geometric series, stating that they only converge if the constant ratio r is between -1 and 1. It provides examples and exercises to determine the nth term, values for convergence, and the sum to infinity using the formula S∞ = a / (1 - r) for r ≠ 1. Additionally, it includes practical applications, such as a scenario involving a bicycle trip with diminishing daily distances.

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kzamakhathide
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9 views2 pages

Convergent geometric series and sum to infinity

The document discusses convergent geometric series, stating that they only converge if the constant ratio r is between -1 and 1. It provides examples and exercises to determine the nth term, values for convergence, and the sum to infinity using the formula S∞ = a / (1 - r) for r ≠ 1. Additionally, it includes practical applications, such as a scenario involving a bicycle trip with diminishing daily distances.

Uploaded by

kzamakhathide
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Convergent geometric series and sum to infinity

Convergent Geometric Series


• A geometric series will only converge if its constant ratio r lies between
- 1 and +1
i.e. If −1 < 𝑟 < 1 or |𝑟| < 1
Example 1
1. Given the geometric series 8𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 4 +.............

a) Determine the nth term of the series.

b) For what values of x will the series converge?

Sum to infinity of a geometric series


Formula for sum to infinity
𝒂
𝑺∞ = 𝟏−𝒓 ; 𝒓 ≠ 𝟏 , −𝟏 < 𝒓 < 𝟏

Example 2
1. Consider the following geometric series:

5(3𝑥 + 1) + 5(3𝑥 + 1)2 + 5(3𝑥 + 1)2 + ……..


a) For which values of 𝑥 will the series converge?

1
b) Calculate the sum to infinity if 𝑥 = − .
6

Exercise
1. Consider the infinite geometric series:
2(𝑝 − 5) + 2(𝑝 − 5)2 + 2(𝑝 − 5)3 +…
a) For what value(s) of p will the series convergent?

1
b) If 𝑝 = 4 2 , calculate 𝑆∞ .

2. Given the geometric series: (𝑥 − 2) + (𝑥 2 − 4) + (𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 8) + ⋯

a) Determine the value of 𝑥 for which the series converge.

3
b) If 𝑥 = − , calculate the sum to infinity of the given series.
2

3. The following geometric series is given:


2(3𝑥 − 1) + 2(3𝑥 − 1)2 + 2(3𝑥 − 1)3 +……..
Determine the value(s) of 𝑥 for which the series converges.

1
20
4. Given the geometric series: 35 + 10 + 7
+………

a) Calculate the values of the fourth term.

2 𝑛
b) Show that the sum of the first 𝑛 terms is 𝑆𝑛 = 49 (1 − ( ) )
7

c) Hence or otherwise, calculate the sum to infinity.

5. The first two terms of a convergent geometric series are 𝑘 and 6 respectively where 𝑘 ≠ 0.
The sum to infinity is 25. Calculate the value(s) of 𝑘.

𝑛
6. The sum to n terms of a sequence is given as: 𝑆𝑛 = 2 (5𝑛 + 9)

a) Calculate the sum of the first 23 terms.

b) Hence calculate the 23𝑟𝑑 term of the sequence

7. Consider the infinite geometric series: 45 + 40,5 + 36,45 +…..

a) Calculate the value of the TWELFTH term of the series (correct to TWO decimal
places)

b) Explain why the series converges.

c) Calculate the sum to infinity of the series.

d) What is the smallest value of 𝑛 for which 𝑆∞ − 𝑆𝑛 < 1

8. Themba is planning a bicycle trip from Cape Town to Tshwane. The total distance covered
during the trip will be 1500 km. he plans to travel 100 km on the first day. For every
following day he plans to cover 94% of the distance he covered the previous day.

a) What distance will he cover on day 3 of the trip?

b) On what day of the trip will Themba pass the halfway point?

c) Themba must cover a certain percentage of the previous day’s distance to ensure that he
will eventually reach Tshwane. Calculate ALL possible value(s) of this percentage.

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