Geometric Series

iotiX

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Joined
Jul 19, 2005
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How many are in this geometric series? I can't seem to find out. Any help would be appreciated.

3 + 12 + 48 + . . . + 3 * 4^9


I also need help with another problem. The book says the answer is ~20.78meters.

The problem: A ball is dropped from a heigh of 2 meters and bounces up to 90% of its height on each bounce. When it hits the ground for the eighth time, how far has it traveled?

My solution:
I use the theorem from the lesson...
Sn = (G1(1-r^n))/(1-r)
Where Sn is the sum of the first n terms of the geometric sequence with first term g1, and the constant ratio, r, cannot be equal to 1.

... to get
S8 = (2*(1-.9^8)) / (.1).
The equation I have equals to ~11.3 meters, which is wrong. What am I doing wrong?
 
iotiX said:
3 + 12 + 48 + . . . + 3 * 4^9
Rewrite your series and it will be simple to count.

3*4<sup>0</sup> + 3*4<sup>1</sup> + 3*4<sup>2</sup> + ... + 3*4<sup>9</sup>

My solution:
I use the theorem from the lesson...
Sn = (G1(1-r^n))/(1-r)
Where Sn is the sum of the first n terms of the geometric sequence with first term g1, and the constant ratio, r, cannot be equal to 1.

... to get
S8 = (2*(1-.9^8)) / (.1).
The equation I have equals to ~11.3 meters, which is wrong. What am I doing wrong?
You'll laugh.

After the ball bounces up, it must fall back down.

1st bounce 2 m down + 2*.9 up
2nd bounce 2*.9 down + 2*.9<sup>2</sup> up
 
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