Problem 18

Question

Evaluate the finite series for the specified number of terms. $$ 4+12+36+\ldots ; n=6 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The sum of the first 6 terms of the series is 1460.
1Step 1: Identify values for a, r, and n
Our series begins with an initial term (a) of 4. Each successive term is obtained by multiplying the previous one by the common ratio (r), which is 3. We need the sum of the first 6 terms (n). So, we have \(a = 4\), \(r = 3\), and \(n = 6\).
2Step 2: Plug values into sum formula
Let's insert \(a = 4\), \(r = 3\), and \(n = 6\) into the formula \(S_n = a \frac{{1-r^n}}{{1-r}}\). Substituting, we get \(S_6 = 4 \frac{{1-3^6}}{{1-3}}\).
3Step 3: Perform the calculations
After calculations are done, \(S_6 = 4 \frac{{1-729}}{{-2}} = 4 \cdot 365 = 1460\).