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| Question 135178:  Find the sum of a geometric series for which a1 = 48, an = 3, and r = -1/2: *
 Answer by stanbon(75887)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Find the sum of a geometric series for which a(1) = 48, an = 3, and r = -1/2 --------------
 If a(n) = 3
 3 = 48(-1/2)^(n-1)
 3/48 = (-1/2)^(n-1)
 1/16 = (-1/2)^(n-1)
 n-1 = 4
 n = 5
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 S(5) = 48[(-1/2)^5-1]/[(-1/2)-1]
 S(5) = 48[(-33/32)]/[(-3/2)]
 S(5) = 48[11/16]
 S(5) = 33
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 48+(-24)+12+(-6)+3 = 63-30 = 33
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 Cheers,
 Stan H.
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