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# 9.2: Infinite Geometric Series

Created by: CK-12

This activity is intended to supplement Calculus, Chapter 8, Lesson 2.

ID: 11065

Time required: 45 minutes

## Activity Overview

In this activity, students will explore infinite geometric series. They will consider the effect of the value for the common ratio and determine whether an infinite geometric series converges or diverges. They will also consider the derivation of the sum of a convergent infinite geometric series and use it to solve several problems.

Topic: Sequences & Series

• Explore geometric sequences
• Sum a geometric series
• Convergence of an infinite geometric series

Teacher Preparation and Notes

• This activity serves as an introduction to infinite geometric series. Students will need to have previously learned about finite geometric series.
• Before beginning the activity, students need to clear all lists and turn off all plots and equations. To clear all lists, press $2^{nd}$ LIST, scroll down to ClrAllLists and press ENTER

Associated Materials

## Problem 1 – Investigating Infinite Geometric Series

Students will explore what happens when the common ratio changes for an infinite geometric series. For each value of $r$, students will create lists $L2$ and $L3$ and then scroll through $L3$ to determine if the series converges or diverges.

As an extension, students could change the initial value of the sequence by changing the number 200 in the formula for $L2$ and see if it affects the convergence or divergence of the series.

If students determine that a series converges, then they are to create and view the scatter plot. The necessary settings for Plot1 are shown on the student worksheet.

To change the window, students can press # and select ZoomStat or manually adjust it by pressing ZOOM.

1.

$r$ -2 -0.5 -0.25 0.25 0.5 2
Converges or Diverges Diverges Converges 133.33 Converges 160 Converges 266.667 Converges 400 Diverges

2. $| r | < 1$

3. There is a horizontal asymptote at the point of convergence.

## Problem 2 – Deriving a Formula for the Sum of a Convergent Infinite Geometric Series

Students are to use the Home screen to determine the values of $r^n$ when $r = 0.7$. They should see that as $n$ gets very large $r^n$ becomes zero when $| r | < 1$.

Students are given the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series. With the information found on the worksheet, they can determine the formula for the sum of an infinite geometric series using substitution.

4. Note that even though the calculator says $r^{1000}$ and $r^{10000}$ both equal zero, they are actually very small numbers and are approximately zero.

$n$ 10 100 1000 10000
$r^n = 0.7^n$ 0.028248 3.23 E-16 0 0

5. $s_n = \frac{a_1(1 - 0)}{1 - r} = \frac{a_1}{1 - r}$

## Problem 3 – Apply what was learned

In this problem, students are given a scenario relating to drug prescriptions and dosages. Students need to use the formulas shown in the previous problem to answer the questions.

They may get caught up on the first question. Explain to students that if 15% of the drug leaves the body every hour, then that means that 85% percent is still in the body.

6. a. $0.40 = 1 - 0.15(4)$

b. $240 + 240(0.4) = 336 \ mg$

c.

Hours 0 (1st dosage) 4 ($2^{nd}$ dosage) 8 ($3^{rd}$ dosage) 12 16
Amount in the Body 240 336 374.4 389.76 395.904

d. This is the $7^{th}$ dosage, so $S_7 = \frac{240(1 - .4^7)}{1 - 0.4} = 399.34464$.

e. This is the $19^{th}$ dosage, so $S_{19} = \frac{240(1 - .4^{19})}{1 - 0.4} = 399.999989$.

f. $S_t = \frac{240(1 - .4^t)}{1 - 0.4}$

g. No, since $S = \frac{240}{1 - 0.4} = 400$, you will not reach the minimum lethal dosage.

f. Yes, since he/she waits 2 hours, only 30% of the drug is out of his/her system, so 70% remains. This is the common ratio $r = 0.7$ and $S = \frac{240}{1 -0.7} = 800$

Feb 23, 2012

## Last Modified:

Nov 04, 2014
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TI.MAT.ENG.TE.1.Calculus.9.2