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Algebra 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

what is the sum of the geometric sequence -3 18 -108 if there are 8 terms

OpenStudy (amistre64):

if you can determine your common ratio, then theres a simple enough formula for it:\[S=\frac{1-r^n}{1-r}\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I got 119973 is that right?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

@amistre64

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

is that a typo @amistre64

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

he left out the first term -3

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

its -3 * (-6)^8 - 1 ---------- -8 - 1

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So did I get it wrong?

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

yes

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Is it 719,835?

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

(-6)^8 = 1679616 1679616 -1 = 1679615 1679615 / -9 = -186623.9

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

now multiply that by -3 to get the answer

OpenStudy (amistre64):

ah yes, first term missed it

OpenStudy (anonymous):

That can't be right?

OpenStudy (cwrw238):

why not?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

559,871?

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