Raymond B. answered 04/25/22
Math, microeconomics or criminal justice
Sn = a1(1-r^n)/(1-r) as long as r doesn't =1. r = common ratio. n= number of term S =sum of the geometric series
Sn = sum of the n terms of the geometric series.
n=10
r=-r = an+1/an = a2/a1 = -20/5 = 80/-20 = -4
Sn = a1(1-r^n)/(1-r)
Sn = 5[(1-(-4)^10)]/(1--4 )
Sn = 5([1-1,048,576)]/5
Sn = -1,048,575
they alternate in sign, with odd terms positive
10 is even, so the sum must be negative
here's the 1st ten terms
5, -20, 80, -320, 1,280, - 5,120, 20,480, -81,920, 327,680,-1,310,720, ...
sum is definitely negative as the last term dominates, but less than the last term
sum= -1,048,575
Sn = a little less than negative one million