How do you write the first five terms of the geometric sequence $a_1=5, r=-1/10$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2017-04-21T08:06:39

$" "5" "-0.5," "0.05," "-0.005," "0.0005$

The General term is $T_n = an^(n-1)$

Option 1.: Let $n = 1,2,3,4,5$ and calculate each term.

Option 2: Multiply one term by $-1/10$ to get the next.
This seems the easier option.

$5 xx -1/10= -0.5$

$-0.5 xx-1/10 = 0.05$ and so on,

This gives: $" "5" "-0.5," "0.05," "-0.005," "0.0005$

Notice the sign changes each time.

How do you write the first five terms of the geometric sequence a_1=5, r=-1/10a_1=5, r=-1/10?