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2003 AMC 10B Problem 8

Problem 8 of 25EasierAlgebra

The second and fourth terms of a geometric sequence are 22 and 6.6. Which of the following is a possible first term?

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Solution

Let the terms be a,a, ar,ar, ar2,ar^2, ar3,ar^3, …\dots with ar=2ar=2 and ar3=6.ar^3=6. Dividing gives r2=3,r^2=3, so r=±3.r=\pm\sqrt3. Then a=2r=±23=±233.a=\dfrac{2}{r}=\pm\dfrac{2}{\sqrt3}=\pm\dfrac{2\sqrt3}{3}. The choice −233-\dfrac{2\sqrt3}{3} matches the negative case. Thus, the correct answer is B.
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Tagged: geometric sequence · radical

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