List the first four terms of a geometric sequence with t1 = 4 and tn = -3tn-1.

Question

anonymous · Answer

$t_n= -3t_{n-1}$, right?

campbell_st · Answer

so for the 2nd term 

$$t_{n -1} = t_{1}$$

so the 2nd term is 

-3 x 4

the 3rd term is 

-3 x the 2nd term 

4th term = -3 x 3rd term

anonymous · Answer

-12 36 -108 324

campbell_st · Answer

well you were given the 1st tem... and asked to find the 1st 4... so you only need the next 3


4, -12, 36, -108

anonymous · Answer

Find the sixth term of a geometric sequence with t5 = 24 and t8 = 3.    
how would i do this

anonymous · Answer

@campbell_st

campbell_st · Answer

well a term in a geometric sequence is 

$$t_{n} = ar^{n - 1}$$

so you need to find the common ratio r.... a is the 1st term 

so using the known information 

$$t_{5} = a \times r^4 = 24~~~~t_{8} = a \times r^7 = (a \times r^4) \times r^3$$

so substituting 

$$3 = 24 \times r^3$$

find r.... 

then the 6th term is the 5th term times the value of r