A geometric sequence is defined by the equation an = (3)3 − n.

Part A: What are the first three terms of the sequence? (1 point)

Part B: What is the value of r? (2 points)

Part C: What is the value of a11? (2 points)

Answer :

PART A

The geometric sequence is defined by the equation

[tex]a_{n}=3^{3-n}[/tex]

To find the first three terms, we put n=1,2,3

When n=1,

[tex]a_{1}=3^{3-1}[/tex]

[tex]a_{1}=3^{2}[/tex]

[tex]a_{1}=9[/tex]
When n=2,

[tex]a_{2}=3^{3-2}[/tex]
[tex]a_{2}=3^{1}[/tex]

[tex]a_{2}=3[/tex]

When n=3

[tex]a_{3}=3^{3-3}[/tex]

[tex]a_{3}=3^{0}[/tex]
[tex]a_{1}=1[/tex]
The first three terms are,

[tex]9,3,1[/tex]

PART B

The common ratio can be found using any two consecutive terms.

The common ratio is given by,
[tex]
r= \frac{a_{2}}{a_{1}} [/tex]
[tex]r = \frac{3}{9} [/tex]

[tex]r = \frac{1}{3} [/tex]

PART C

To find
[tex]a_{11}[/tex]

We substitute n=11 into the equation of the geometric sequence.

[tex]a_{11} = {3}^{3 - 11} [/tex]

This implies that,

[tex]a_{11} = {3}^{ - 8} [/tex]

[tex]a_{11} = \frac{1}{ {3}^{8} } [/tex]

[tex]a_{11}=\frac{1}{6561}[/tex]

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