The first term in a geometric sequence is -12 and the common ratio is 3. Find the fifth term of the sequence

Question

The first term in a geometric sequence is -12 and the common ratio is 3. Find the fifth term of the sequence:

This is a question in my study guide.

Answer 1

a1 = -12 = the 1st term

r = 3 = the common ratio

an = a1(r^(n-1) = the nth term

a5 = -12((3)^4) = -12(81) = the 5th term

5th term in the geometric sequence is -972

a1 = -12

a2 = --12(3) = -36= the 2nd term

a3 = -12(3^2) = -108 = the 3rd term

a4 = -12(3^3) = -12)(27) = -324 = the 4th term

a5 = -12(3^4) = -12(81) = -972 = the 5th term

a6 = -12(3^5) = -12(243) = - 2916 = the 6th term

...

-12, -36, -108, -324, - 972, - 2916, ...

each term is 3 times the previous term

5th term is 3 times -324 = -972