What is the Explicit Formula for the nth Term in a Geometric Sequence?

What is the Explicit Formula for the nth Term in a Geometric Sequence?

Note:

Trying to find the value of a certain term in a geometric sequence? Don't want to go through the terms one-by-one to find the one you want? Use the formula to find the nth term in a geometric sequence! This tutorial shows you how find that formula!

Keywords:

  • formula
  • nth term
  • term
  • common ratio
  • exponent
  • exponents
  • term number
  • first term

Background Tutorials

  • Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

Further Exploration

  • Write arithmetic and geometric sequences both recursively and with an explicit formula, use them to model situations, and translate between the two forms.

      • How Do You Find the Nth Term in an Arithmetic Sequence?How Do You Find the Nth Term in an Arithmetic Sequence?

      How Do You Find the Nth Term in an Arithmetic Sequence?

      Got an arithmetic sequence? Trying to find a later term in that sequence? Don't want to keep adding the common difference to each term until you get to the one you want? Then use the equation for the nth term in an arithmetic sequence instead! This tutorial will show you how!