Inserting a certain number of terms between two given Inserting a certain number of terms between two given

terms of a geometric sequence is an interesting activity terms of a geometric sequence is an interesting activity
in studying geometric sequences. We call the terms in studying geometric sequences. We call the terms
between any two given terms of a geometric sequence between any two given terms of a geometric sequence
the geometric means. the geometric means.

Example: Insert 3 geometric means between 5 and Example: Insert 3 geometric means between 5 and
3125. 3125.
Solution: Solution:
Let a1=5 and a5=3125. We will insert a2, a3, and a4. Let a1=5 and a5=3125. We will insert a2, a3, and a4.
an=a1rn—1 an=a1rn—1
a5=a1r5-1 a5=a1r5-1
3125=5r4 3125=5r4
r4=625 r4=625
r=±5 r=±5
We obtained two values of r, so we have two We obtained two values of r, so we have two
geometric sequences. geometric sequences.
a. If r=5, the geometric means are: a. If r=5, the geometric means are:
a2=5(5)1 a3=5(5)2 a4=5(5)3 a2=5(5)1 a3=5(5)2 a4=5(5)3
a2=25 a3=125 a4=625 a2=25 a3=125 a4=625
Thus, the sequence is 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125. Thus, the sequence is 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125.

b. If r=-5, the geometric means are: b. If r=-5, the geometric means are:
a2=5(-5)1 a3=5(-5)2 a4=5(-5)3 a2=5(-5)1 a3=5(-5)2 a4=5(-5)3
a2=-25 a3=125 a4=-625 a2=-25 a3=125 a4=-625
Thus, the sequence is 5, -25, 125, -625, 3125. Thus, the sequence is 5, -25, 125, -625, 3125.

Inserting a certain number of terms between two given
terms of a geometric sequence is an interesting activity
in studying geometric sequences. We call the terms
between any two given terms of a geometric sequence
the geometric means.
Inserting a certain number of terms between two given
terms of a geometric sequence is an interesting activity
in studying geometric sequences. We call the terms
between any two given terms of a geometric sequence
the geometric means.

Example: Insert 3 geometric means between 5 and Example: Insert 3 geometric means between 5 and
3125. 3125.
Solution: Solution:
Let a1=5 and a5=3125. We will insert a2, a3, and a4. Let a1=5 and a5=3125. We will insert a2, a3, and a4.
an=a1rn—1 an=a1rn—1
a5=a1r5-1 a5=a1r5-1
3125=5r4 3125=5r4
r4=625 r4=625
r=±5 r=±5
We obtained two values of r, so we have two We obtained two values of r, so we have two
geometric sequences. geometric sequences.
a. If r=5, the geometric means are: a. If r=5, the geometric means are:
a2=5(5)1 a3=5(5)2 a4=5(5)3 a2=5(5)1 a3=5(5)2 a4=5(5)3
a2=25 a3=125 a4=625 a2=25 a3=125 a4=625
Thus, the sequence is 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125. Thus, the sequence is 5, 25, 125, 625, 3125.

b. If r=-5, the geometric means are: b. If r=-5, the geometric means are:
a2=5(-5)1 a3=5(-5)2 a4=5(-5)3 a2=5(-5)1 a3=5(-5)2 a4=5(-5)3
a2=-25 a3=125 a4=-625 a2=-25 a3=125 a4=-625
Thus, the sequence is 5, -25, 125, -625, 3125. Thus, the sequence is 5, -25, 125, -625, 3125.