The 6th Term Of A Gp Is-2/27 And Its First Term Is 18.What Is The Common Ratio

18 r^5 = 2/27

9 r^5 = 1/27

r^5 = 3^-3 / 3^2 = 3^-5

math

To find the common ratio in a geometric progression (GP), we can use the formula:

an = a1 * r^(n-1)

where 'an' represents the nth term, 'a1' is the first term, 'r' is the common ratio, and 'n' is the term number.

Given that the 6th term (a6) is -2/27 and the first term (a1) is 18, we can substitute these values into the formula and solve for the common ratio (r):

-2/27 = 18 * r^(6-1)

Simplifying the equation, we have:

-2/27 = 18 * r^5

Divide both sides of the equation by 18 to isolate the term with the variable:

(-2/27) / 18 = r^5

Simplifying further:

-2/486 = r^5

Taking the fifth root of both sides, we can find the value of 'r':

r = (−2/486)^(1/5)

Calculating this value, we get:

r ≈ -0.3333

Therefore, the common ratio in this geometric progression is approximately -0.3333.

To find the common ratio of a geometric progression (GP), we can use the formula:

\[a_n = a_1 \cdot r^{(n-1)}\]

where \(a_n\) represents the nth term, \(a_1\) is the first term, \(r\) is the common ratio, and \(n\) is the term number.

Given that the first term (\(a_1\)) is 18 and the 6th term (\(a_6\)) is -2/27, we can substitute these values into the formula to find the common ratio.

\[a_6 = 18 \cdot r^{(6-1)}\]

Simplifying further:

\[-\frac{2}{27} = 18 \cdot r^{5}\]

Now, we can isolate the common ratio (r) by dividing both sides of the equation by 18:

\[\frac{-2}{27 \cdot 18} = r^{5}\]

Simplifying the left side:

\[\frac{-1}{243} = r^{5}\]

To find the common ratio (r), we will take the fifth root of both sides:

\[r = \left(\frac{-1}{243}\right)^{\frac{1}{5}}\]

Calculating the right side:

\[r = \left(\frac{-1}{3^5}\right)^{\frac{1}{5}}\]

Simplifying further:

\[r = \frac{1}{\sqrt[5]{3^5}}\]

Finally:

\[r = \frac{1}{3}\]

Therefore, the common ratio (r) of the geometric progression is 1/3.