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What is the sum of the first 7 terms of the series −8+16−32+64−...?

 Oct 14, 2021
 #1
avatar+6 
+3

Add -8, 16, -32, 64, -128, 256, and -512

(-8)+16+(-32)+64+(-128)+256+(-512)=-344

 Oct 14, 2021
edited by Bliss  Oct 14, 2021
edited by Bliss  Oct 14, 2021
 #2
avatar+118578 
+1

thanks Bliss, that is a nice straight forward way to approach the problem.

 

Here is a different way

This is a GP  (Geometric progression)

the first term is -8

the common ratio r= 16/-8 = -2

 

\(S_n=\frac{a(r^n-1)}{r-1}\\~\\ S_7=\frac{-8((-2)^7-1)}{-2-1}\\~\\ S_7=\frac{-8(-128-1)}{-3}\\~\\ S_7=\frac{-8(-129)}{-3}\\~\\ S_7=\frac{-8(43)}{1}\\~\\ S_7=-344\\~\\\)

 Oct 14, 2021

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