High School

Identify the 16th term of a geometric sequence where [tex]a_1 = 4[/tex] and [tex]a_8 = -8,748[/tex].

A. [tex]-172,186,884[/tex]
B. [tex]-57,395,628[/tex]
C. [tex]57,395,628[/tex]
D. [tex]172,186,884[/tex]

Answer :

To find the 16th term of the given geometric sequence, we need to use the information about the first term and the eighth term. Let's break down the steps:

Step 1: Identify the given terms
- First term, [tex]\( a_1 = 4 \)[/tex]
- Eighth term, [tex]\( a_8 = -8,748 \)[/tex]

Step 2: Use the formula for the nth term of a geometric sequence

The formula for the nth term of a geometric sequence is:

[tex]\[ a_n = a_1 \times r^{n-1} \][/tex]

where [tex]\( r \)[/tex] is the common ratio, and [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is the term number.

For the 8th term:

[tex]\[ a_8 = a_1 \times r^{7} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ -8,748 = 4 \times r^{7} \][/tex]

Step 3: Solve for the common ratio [tex]\( r \)[/tex]

Divide both sides by 4 to solve for [tex]\( r \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ r^{7} = \frac{-8,748}{4} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ r^{7} = -2,187 \][/tex]

Next, to find [tex]\( r \)[/tex], take the 7th root of both sides:

[tex]\[ r = (-2,187)^{1/7} \][/tex]

Step 4: Calculate the 16th term

Now that we have the common ratio [tex]\( r \)[/tex], we can find the 16th term with:

[tex]\[ a_{16} = a_1 \times r^{15} \][/tex]

Substitute the values:

[tex]\[ a_{16} = 4 \times (-2,187)^{15/7} \][/tex]

After calculating, the 16th term is approximately:

[tex]\[ a_{16} \approx 57,395,628 \][/tex]

Thus, the 16th term of the sequence is:
- [tex]\( c \)[/tex] [tex]\( 57,395,628 \)[/tex]

This is the correct answer from the given options.