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an infinite geometric series with second term -8/9 and sum 2. what is the first term?
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a*r = (1) This is your first equation for the second term of GP.
Here "a"is the first term and "r" is the common ratio of the GP.
= 2 (2) This is your second equation for the sum.
From the first equation express r = and substitute it into the second equation. You will get
= 2, or
= , or
= .
Now multiply both sides by 9a. You will get
= 18a + 16, or
= .
Apply the quadratic formula to solve this quadratic equation. You will get
two roots = and = -.
The values of "r" that correspond to these values of "a" in accordance to (1), are
= : = and = : = .
The second = has the modulus greater than 1 and therefore generates the "divergent" geometric progression. So, the second solution doesn't fit.
Now check the equality (2) for the first solution: = : = : = : = 2. OK!
Thus there is a unique GP with the given second term and the given sum.
It is = , = .