Common Ratio of a GP

Rarely Tested

Common Ratio of a GP

## Formula

For a GP:

$$r=\frac{a_2}{a_1}=\frac{a_3}{a_2}=\cdots=\frac{a_n}{a_{n-1}}$$

Also:

$$r=\left(\frac{a_n}{a}\right)^{1/(n-1)}$$

when the relevant root is defined.

## Conditions / Special Cases

If:

$$r>1$$

the magnitude of terms generally increases for positive $$a$$.

If:

$$0<r<1$$

the magnitude of terms generally decreases for positive $$a$$.

If:

$$r=1$$

all terms are equal.

If:

$$r<0$$

the signs of consecutive non-zero terms alternate.

## Usage

- Used to identify a GP and determine its common ratio.

Question 1

Let $$a_{1},\dfrac{a_{2}}{2},\dfrac{a_{3}}{2^{2}},....,\dfrac{a_{10}}{2^{9}}$$ be a G.P. of common ratio $$\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$$. If $$a_{1}+a_{2}+....+a_{10}=62$$, then $$a_{1}$$ is equal to: 

Question 2

Let $$a_1,a_2,a_3,...$$ be a G.P. of increasing positive terms. If $$a_1a_5 = 28$$ and $$a_2+a_4 = 29$$, then $$a_6$$ is equal to:

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