Change in Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

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AP Precalculus › Change in Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences

Questions 1 - 10
1

Bacteria doubles hourly in a geometric sequence with $a_1=200$ and $r=2$: 200; 400; 800. Using the given terms, what is the $n$th term of the sequence?

$a_n=200\cdot 2^{n}$

$a_n=200+(n-1)2$

$a_n=200n$

$a_n=200\cdot 2^{n-1}$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 200 bacteria, doubling each hour (ratio of 2). Choice B is correct because it accurately represents the geometric sequence formula: aₙ = a₁ × r^(n-1) = 200 × 2^(n-1). Choice C (200 × 2ⁿ) is incorrect due to using n instead of (n-1) as the exponent, a common mistake when students forget that the first term uses r⁰. To help students: Remember that geometric sequences use r^(n-1) because the first term has no multiplication by r. Practice writing out the first few terms to verify the formula pattern.

2

A salary follows an arithmetic sequence with $a_1=30{,}000$ and $d=1{,}000$: 30,000; 31,000; 32,000. Based on the sequence, calculate the total change after 10 terms.

$10{,}000$

$9{,}000$

$8{,}000$

$11{,}000$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 30,000, changing by a difference of 1,000 each term. Choice A is correct because the total change after 10 terms means finding the difference between a₁₀ and a₁: a₁₀ = 30,000 + 9(1,000) = 39,000, so the change is 39,000 - 30,000 = 9,000. Choice B (10,000) is incorrect due to confusing the number of terms with the number of differences, a common mistake when students forget that reaching the 10th term requires only 9 steps. To help students: Remember that the change from term 1 to term n involves (n-1) differences. Draw out the first few terms to visualize the pattern.

3

Bacteria doubles hourly in a geometric sequence with $a_1=50$ and $r=2$: 50; 100; 200. Using the given terms, how does the sequence change from term 3 to term 6?

Decreases by $1{,}400$

Increases by $200$

Increases by $1{,}400$

Increases by $700$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 50 bacteria, doubling each hour. Choice A is correct because it accurately calculates the change: a_3 = 200 and a_6 = 50 × $2^5$ = 50 × 32 = 1,600, giving an increase of 1,600 - 200 = 1,400. Choice B is incorrect with only 200, likely confusing the value of a_3 with the change between terms. To help students: Practice finding specific terms before calculating differences. Emphasize the importance of reading carefully to identify which terms are being compared.

4

A salary follows an arithmetic sequence with $a_1=50{,}000$ and $d=2{,}000$: 50,000; 52,000; 54,000. Based on the sequence, what is the $n$th term $a_n$?

$a_n=50{,}000+1{,}000(n-1)$

$a_n=50{,}000+2{,}000n$

$a_n=50{,}000(2{,}000)^{n-1}$

$a_n=50{,}000+2{,}000(n-1)$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 50,000, changing by a difference of 2,000 each term. Choice C is correct because it accurately applies the arithmetic sequence formula a_n = a_1 + d(n-1), giving a_n = 50,000 + 2,000(n-1). Choice A is incorrect due to using n instead of (n-1), a common mistake when students forget that the first term already includes a_1. To help students: Practice identifying the correct formula structure for arithmetic sequences. Emphasize that (n-1) represents the number of times we add the common difference, starting from the first term.

5

A salary follows an arithmetic sequence with $a_1=50{,}000$ and $d=2{,}000$: 50,000; 52,000; 54,000. Based on the sequence, determine the sum of the first 5 terms.

$156{,}000$

$270{,}000$

$260{,}000$

$280{,}000$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 50,000, changing by a difference of 2,000 each term. Choice B is correct because it accurately applies the arithmetic series formula: S₅ = 5/2 × (2a₁ + 4d) = 5/2 × (100,000 + 8,000) = 5/2 × 108,000 = 270,000. Choice A (260,000) is incorrect due to miscalculating the sum formula, a common mistake when students forget to properly apply the arithmetic series formula. To help students: Practice using the sum formula S_n = n/2 × (2a₁ + (n-1)d) systematically. Emphasize verifying calculations by adding the first few terms manually as a check.

6

Bacteria doubles hourly in a geometric sequence with $a_1=200$ and $r=2$: 200; 400; 800. Using the given terms, what is $a_7$?

$1{,}400$

$25{,}600$

$12{,}800$

$6{,}400$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 200 bacteria, doubling (ratio of 2) each hour. Choice A is correct because it accurately applies the geometric sequence formula a_n = a_1 × r^(n-1), giving a_7 = 200 × $2^6$ = 200 × 64 = 12,800. Choice B is incorrect due to calculating $2^5$ instead of $2^6$, a common mistake when students forget that the exponent is (n-1). To help students: Practice counting the number of multiplications needed to reach the nth term. Emphasize that for the 7th term, we multiply by r exactly 6 times.

7

A city’s population declines geometrically with $a_1=50{,}000$ and $r=0.95$: 50,000; 47,500; 45,125. Based on the sequence, what is the $n$th term $a_n$?

$a_n=50{,}000+0.95(n-1)$

$a_n=50{,}000(1.05)^{n-1}$

$a_n=50{,}000(0.95)^{n-1}$

$a_n=50{,}000-0.95(n-1)$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 50,000, declining by a ratio of 0.95 each term. Choice B is correct because it accurately applies the geometric sequence formula a_n = a_1 × r^(n-1), giving a_n = 50,000(0.95)^(n-1). Choice A is incorrect due to treating this as an arithmetic sequence with a difference of 0.95, a common mistake when students see a decimal and assume subtraction. To help students: Practice identifying sequence types from the given terms. Emphasize that ratios less than 1 still indicate geometric sequences, not arithmetic ones.

8

A salary follows an arithmetic sequence with $a_1=30{,}000$ and $d=1{,}000$: 30,000; 31,000; 32,000. Based on the sequence, how does the sequence change from term 2 to term 8?

Increases by $7{,}000$

Decreases by $6{,}000$

Increases by $6{,}000$

Increases by $5{,}000$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 30,000, increasing by 1,000 each term. Choice B is correct because in an arithmetic sequence, the change from term 2 to term 8 is 6 times the common difference: 6 × 1,000 = 6,000. Choice C is incorrect with 7,000, likely from counting 7 steps instead of 6, a common mistake when students include both endpoints. To help students: Practice counting the number of steps between terms carefully. Emphasize that from term 2 to term 8, there are exactly 6 steps (8 - 2 = 6).

9

A city’s population declines geometrically with $a_1=100{,}000$ and $r=0.95$: 100,000; 95,000; 90,250. Using the given terms, what is $a_5$?

$85{,}737.50$

$77{,}378.09$

$81{,}450.63$

$814{,}506.25$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 100,000, changing by a ratio of 0.95 each term (representing a 5% decline). Choice A is correct because it accurately applies the geometric sequence formula: a₅ = a₁ × r⁴ = 100,000 × (0.95)⁴ = 100,000 × 0.81450625 = 81,450.63. Choice C (77,378.09) is incorrect due to using r⁵ instead of r⁴, a common mistake when students confuse the term number with the exponent. To help students: Remember that for the nth term, use r^(n-1) as the exponent. Practice calculating several terms to build confidence with the pattern.

10

A savings account grows geometrically with $a_1=500$ and $r=1.10$: 500; 550; 605. Based on the sequence, what is $a_6$?

$80.53$

$732.05$

$805.26$

$885.78$

Explanation

This question tests understanding of changes in arithmetic and geometric sequences, crucial for AP Precalculus. Arithmetic sequences change by a fixed difference, while geometric sequences change by a fixed ratio. In this scenario, the sequence starts with 500, growing by a ratio of 1.10 each term (10% growth). Choice A is correct because it accurately applies the geometric sequence formula: a₆ = a₁ × r⁵ = 500 × (1.10)⁵ = 500 × 1.61051 = 805.26. Choice B (732.05) is incorrect due to using the wrong power of r, a common mistake when students miscalculate compound growth. To help students: Remember that for the nth term, use r^(n-1). Practice with a calculator to ensure accuracy with decimal powers.

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