How do you write the first five terms of the geometric sequence a_n = 5a_(n-1)an=5an1; a_1 = 3a1=3?

1 Answer
Jan 19, 2016

3, 15, 75, 375, 18753,15,75,375,1875

Explanation:

a_n = a_1r^(n - 1)an=a1rn1

a_n = 5a_(n - 1)an=5an1

a_1 = 3a1=3


a_2 = 3ra2=3r

But
a_2 = 5a_(2 - 1) = 5a_1a2=5a21=5a1

=> 3r = 5a_13r=5a1
=> 3r = 5*33r=53
=> r = 5r=5


Using a_n = a_1r^(n - 1)an=a1rn1 with a_1 = 3a1=3 and r = 5r=5, the first 5 terms are

3, 15, 75, 375, 18753,15,75,375,1875