SOLUTION: Specify the values of x for which the given infinite geometric series has a sum. Then find the sum in terms of x. 1 + 4x + 16x2 + 64x3 + …

Algebra ->  Sequences-and-series -> SOLUTION: Specify the values of x for which the given infinite geometric series has a sum. Then find the sum in terms of x. 1 + 4x + 16x2 + 64x3 + …       Log On


   



Question 1115944: Specify the values of x for which the given infinite geometric series has a sum. Then find the sum in terms of x.
1 + 4x + 16x2 + 64x3 + …

Answer by ikleyn(52788) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
An infinite geometric progression


    a, ar, ar^2, ar^3, . . . 


has a sum if and only if its common ratio "r"  has the modulus (= the absolute value)  |r| less than 1:  |r| < 1.


In your case  r = 4x,  so the condition that this geometric series does converge is


|4x| < 1,   or,  equivalently,   |x| < 1%2F4,   or  -0.25 < r < 0.25.