Question 1141039
<pre>

Let the common ratio be r, then we write out the expressions for the first
6 terms by starting with -7 and finding each successive term by multiplying
the preceding term by r.  Then when we get to the sixth one we set it equal
to -1701.

-7, -7r, -7r<sup>2</sup>, -7r<sup>3</sup>, -7r<sup>4</sup>, -7r<sup>5</sup> = -1701 

So we solve: 

-7r<sup>5</sup> = -1701 

Divide both sides by -7

r<sup>5</sup> = 243

Take 5th roots of both sides:

{{{root(5,r^5)=root(5,243)}}}

r = 3    <-- common ratio.

FYI the sequence is -7, -21, -63, -189, -567, -1701

Edwin</pre>