How do you find the sum of the geometric sequence

Bobbie Comstock

Bobbie Comstock

Answered question

2021-12-14

How do you find the sum of the geometric sequence 2,4,8...if there are 20 terms?

Answer & Explanation

SlabydouluS62

SlabydouluS62

Skilled2021-12-15Added 52 answers

Sum of GS=Sn=(a(r)n1)1r1
where a is the first term, n the no. of terms and r the common ratio
a=2,n=20,r=a2a=a3a2=42=84=2
S20=2(2201)21
S20=2(2201)=2097150

Lakisha Archer

Lakisha Archer

Beginner2021-12-16Added 39 answers

Now let us first understand what a geometric series is.
A geometric series is a series in which the ratio of any two consecutive terms is the same.
Hence a geometric series looks like
a+ar+ar2+ar3++arn . where a is the first term and r is the common ratio.
Now consider the given geometric series 2, 4, 8, …
And the common ratio between two consecutive terms is
84=42=2
Hence we have a = 2 and r = 2.
Now we know that sum of n terms of GP is given by
Sn=a(rn1)r1
Hence substituting a = 2 and r = 2 in the above formula we get,
Sn=2(2n1)21
The above equation represents the sum of n terms of the given GP.
Now since we want to find the sum of 20 terms we will substitute n = 20.
Hence we get,
S20=2(2201)21
S20=2(2201)

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