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Precalculus Examples
Step 1
The sum of a finite geometric series can be found using the formula where is the first term and is the ratio between successive terms.
Step 2
Step 2.1
Substitute and into the formula for .
Step 2.2
Simplify.
Step 2.2.1
Cancel the common factor of .
Step 2.2.1.1
Cancel the common factor.
Step 2.2.1.2
Rewrite the expression.
Step 2.2.2
Cancel the common factor of and .
Step 2.2.2.1
Factor out of .
Step 2.2.2.2
Cancel the common factors.
Step 2.2.2.2.1
Multiply by .
Step 2.2.2.2.2
Cancel the common factor.
Step 2.2.2.2.3
Rewrite the expression.
Step 2.2.2.2.4
Divide by .
Step 3
Step 3.1
Substitute for into .
Step 3.2
Simplify.
Step 3.2.1
Evaluate the exponent.
Step 3.2.2
Multiply by .
Step 4
Substitute the values of the ratio, first term, and number of terms into the sum formula.
Step 5
Step 5.1
Simplify the numerator.
Step 5.1.1
Raise to the power of .
Step 5.1.2
Multiply by .
Step 5.1.3
Subtract from .
Step 5.2
Simplify the denominator.
Step 5.2.1
Multiply by .
Step 5.2.2
Subtract from .
Step 5.3
Divide by .
Step 5.4
Multiply by .