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Author: nsharp1
No. Questions: 6
Created: Nov 1, 2019
Last Modified: 5 years ago

Derive Finite Geo. Series Sum Formula

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The following algebraic work shows the derivation of the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series,

$S_n = a((1-r^n)/(1-r))$ . Answer the following questions to give the reasons or justification for each step in the work.

$(1) \ \ S_n = a + ar + ar^2 + ... + ar^(n-2) + ar^(n-1)$

$(2) \ \ S_n r = ar + ar^2 + ar^3 + ... + ar^(n-1) + ar^n$

$(3) \ \ S_n - S_n r = a - ar^n$

$(4) \ \ S_n (1-r) = a(1-r^n)$

$(5) \ \ S_n = a ((1-r^n)/(1-r))$

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

A.

Where does the equation in step one come from?

From the definition of a geometric series.
From a well known polynomial identity.
It is an assumption.
It is simply a new and arbitrary definition of $S_n$ .

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

B.

How does one arrive at step 2?

It is a new definition for $S_n$ .
Adding a factor of $r$ to each term.
By multiplying each side of the equation in step one by $r$ .
Adding a similar, but larger, finite geometric series.

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

C.

The equation in the third step is found by subtracting the equation from step 2 from the equation in step 1. What happens to all the terms on the right hand side?

They are ignored, because they are all going to be much smaller than either $a$ or $ar^n$ , depending on whether $r$ is greater or less than 1.
All but two of them are eliminated by subtraction. Aside from the first term of the first equation and the last term of the second equation, each term in the first equation has an equal term in the second equation, and thus they become n - 2 zeros.
Using the factor theorem, they all cancel out except for $a$ and $ar^n$ .
Dividing both sides of the equation by $ar, ar^2, ... , ar^(n-1)$ , they all cancel out.

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

D.

How does one go from step 3 to step 4?

Use polynomial long division.
Apply the fundamental theorem of algebra.
Factor out common factors on both sides.
Multiply each side by $(1-r)$ .

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

E.

Which of the following best explains how one arrives at the equation in step 5?

By stating the definition of a finite geometric sequence.
Subtract $(1-r)$ from both sides of the equation in step 4, and then factor out common factors on the left hand side of the resulting equation.
Factor $(1-r)$ from both sides of the equation in step 4.
Divide both sides of the equation in step 4 by $(1-r)$ .

Grade 11 Sequences and Series CCSS: HSA-SSE.B.4

F.

Are there any restrictions one should have added at the beginning of this derivation? Choose all that apply.

No, this correct as is.
Yes, this derivation is only valid for $a>0$ .
Yes, the formula found is only true if $|r|<1$ .
Yes, it must be stated that $r!=1$ .