What is the sum of the first five terms of the geometric series 1 − 3 + 9 − . . . ? Hint: r ≠ 1, where a1 is the first term and r is the common ratio.
S5 = −182
S5 = −20
S5 = 61
S5 = 75
I know it's not B...I don't even know where to start. Help?
Sum of a geometric series = a (1 - r^n) / (1 - r)
Where a is the first term,(1), r is the common ratio, (-3), and n is the number of terms summed
So the sum of the first 5 terms =
1[1 + (-3)^5] /(1 - 3) = 61