# Math Help - Geometric Sequences + Irrational Numbers

1. ## Geometric Sequences + Irrational Numbers

Question:
find the general term of Un which as
u3=3 and u9=3/8

--> i am looking for the common ratio atm and this is what i did
u3=u1r^2=3 (1)
u9=u1r^(-5/8)=3/8 (2)

--> (2)/(1)
u1r^(-5/8)/ u1r^2 =3/8 / 3

r^(-21/8) = 1/8

r = (-21/8)* root 1/8

But i don't know how to simplify it from there..

but i don't know how to get that

thank you

2. Originally Posted by juliak
Question:
find the general term of Un which as
u3=3 and u9=3/8

--> i am looking for the common ratio atm and this is what i did
u3=u1r^2=3 (1)
u9=u1r^(-5/8)=3/8 (2)

--> (2)/(1)
u1r^(-5/8)/ u1r^2 =3/8 / 3

r^(-21/8) = 1/8

r = (-21/8)* root 1/8

But i don't know how to simplify it from there..

but i don't know how to get that

thank you
$u_3 = a r^2$ and $u_9 = a r^8$. Therefore:

$\frac{u_9}{u_3} = r^6 = \frac{3/8}{3}\Rightarrow r^6 = \frac{1}{8} \Rightarrow r^6 = \frac{1}{2^3} = ....$

3. u9=a1r^-5/8?

how does u9=a1r^8?

4. Originally Posted by juliak
u9=a1r^-5/8?

how does u9=a1r^8?
Didn't you say it's a geometric series.

You're expected to know that the nth term is given by $u_n = a r^{n-1}$.

I have absolutely no idea where you're getting u9=a1r^-5/8 from.

5. oh >_<

but umm i stil don't really get how to simplify
r^6 = 1/2^3
why do you have to change 8 to 2^3 and what do you do to continue simplifying it?

6. Originally Posted by juliak
oh >_<

but umm i stil don't really get how to simplify
r^6 = 1/2^3
why do you have to change 8 to 2^3 and what do you do to continue simplifying it?
You should go back and review all the material (like index laws) that this question clearly implies you should already know.

$r^6 = \frac{1}{2^3} \Rightarrow r = \left( \frac{1}{2^3} \right)^{1/6} = \frac{1}{(2^3)^{1/6}} = \frac{1}{2^{1/2}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}$.