How do you find #a_2# for the geometric series given #S_n=315#, r=0.5, n=6? Precalculus Series Sums of Geometric Sequences 1 Answer Noah G Nov 11, 2016 #s_n = (a(1 -r^n))/(1 - r)# #315 = (a(1 - 0.5^6))/(1- 0.5)# #315(0.5) = (a(1- 0.015625))# #157.5 = 0.984375a# #a = 160# Now, use the formula #t_n = a xx r^(n - 1)# to find the 2nd term. #t_2 = 160 xx 0.5^(2- 1)# #t_2 = 160 xx 0.5# #t_2 = 80# Hopefully this helps! Answer link Related questions What is a sample problem about finding the sum of a geometric sequence? What is the formula for the sum of a geometric sequence? What is a sample problem about finding the sum of a geometric sequence? How do I find the sum of the geometric sequence #3/2#, #3/8#? What is the sum of the geometric sequence 3, 15, 75? What is the sum of the geometric sequence 8, 16, 32? How do I find the sum of the geometric series 8 + 4 + 2 + 1? How do you find the sum of the following infinite geometric series, if it exists. 2 + 1.5 +... How do you find the sum of the first 5 terms of the geometric series: 4+ 16 + 64…? How do you find S20 for the geometric series 4 + 12 + 36 + 108 + …? See all questions in Sums of Geometric Sequences Impact of this question 1417 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License