Geometric Sequences

The common ratio is the fixed multiplier used to calculate each term from the previous term in a geometric sequence. In the ball-bounce example, if a ball rebounds to a fixed fraction of its previous height, that fraction is the common ratio. Each new term equals the previous term multiplied by this constant value, creating the predictable geometric pattern.

When a ball is dropped and bounces, each rebound height is a consistent fraction of the previous height, forming a geometric sequence. The first term represents the initial rebound height, and subsequent heights are calculated by multiplying by the common ratio. This process models exponential decay, as the ball loses energy with each bounce until it eventually stops.

An nth partial sum is the sum of a fixed number of terms in a geometric sequence. To find it, write the sum, multiply by the common ratio, and subtract to cancel middle terms, leaving only the first and last. This technique allows calculation of the ball's total cumulative distance at any point without adding every individual term.

An infinite geometric series converges to a finite sum when the magnitude of the common ratio is less than one. Under this condition, the sequence values continue to decrease, and their accumulated total approaches a definite number rather than growing unbounded. This convergence property is essential for calculating long-term outcomes in exponential decay processes.

The sum of an infinite geometric series is calculated using the formula S = a / (1 - r), where S is the total sum, a is the initial value, and r is the common ratio. This expression enables efficient calculation of long-term outcomes in processes exhibiting exponential decrease, with applications across physics, economics, and engineering.

Each rebound height must be doubled to account for both the upward ascent and downward descent of the ball, except for the initial drop. Once each term is doubled, partial sums calculate the ball's total cumulative distance covered at any point. This adjustment ensures the model accurately represents the complete path traveled during the bouncing process.

Geometric sequences use multiplication by a constant ratio to generate terms, while arithmetic sequences use addition of a constant difference. Geometric sequences model exponential processes like energy decay, whereas arithmetic sequences represent linear growth or decline. Understanding both sequence types is fundamental to analyzing different mathematical patterns and real-world phenomena.