For the following sequence determine the common difference (if it is an arithmetic sequence) or the common ratio (if it is a geometric sequence).1,3,3,…33323323
Q. For the following sequence determine the common difference (if it is an arithmetic sequence) or the common ratio (if it is a geometric sequence).1,3,3,…33323323
Sequence Type Determination: To determine if the sequence is arithmetic or geometric, we need to examine the pattern of the terms. An arithmetic sequence has a constant difference between terms, while a geometric sequence has a constant ratio between terms.
Arithmetic Sequence Check: Let's check for an arithmetic sequence by subtracting the second term from the first term and the third term from the second term:Second term - First term = 3−1Third term - Second term = 3−3
Arithmetic Sequence Calculation: Now, let's calculate the differences:3−1≈0.7323−3≈1.268These differences are not equal, so the sequence is not arithmetic.
Geometric Sequence Check: Next, let's check for a geometric sequence by dividing the second term by the first term and the third term by the second term:Second term / First term = 13 = 3Third term / Second term = 33
Geometric Sequence Calculation: Now, let's calculate the ratios:3≈1.73233=(3)3∗(33)=3(33)=3The ratios are equal, so the sequence is geometric.
Common Ratio Determination: Since the sequence is geometric, the common ratio is the value we found by dividing any term by the previous term, which is 3.
More problems from Identify arithmetic and geometric series