Find the common ratio for the geometric sequence:−0.125,0.25,−0.5,1,−2,...The common ratio is Answer

Answer :

The given geometric sequence:

[tex]-0.125,0.25,-0.5,1,-2,...[/tex]

The formula for the nth term of a geometric sequence whose first term is 'a' and common ratio is 'r' is:

[tex]a_n=ar^{n-1}[/tex]

where,

[tex]\begin{gathered} n=number\text{ of terms} \\ a=first\text{ term} \end{gathered}[/tex]

Given:

[tex]\begin{gathered} a=-0.125 \\ a_2=ar^{2-1}=ar=0.25 \\ a_3=ar^{3-1}=ar^2=-0.5 \end{gathered}[/tex]

Hence, the common ratio is

[tex]\begin{gathered} \frac{second\text{ term}}{first\text{ term}}=\frac{third\text{ term}}{second\text{ term}} \\ \frac{0.25}{-0.125}=\frac{-0.5}{0.25} \\ -2=-2 \end{gathered}[/tex]

Therefore, the common ratio(r) is

[tex]-2[/tex]