Problem 19

Question

Evaluate the finite series for the specified number of terms. $$ 1+2+4+\ldots ; n=8 $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The sum of the first 8 terms of the series is 255.
1Step 1: Identify the values
Identify the first term (a), the common ratio (r), and the number of terms (n). In this series, the first term a is 1, the common ratio r is 2 (since each term is doubled), and the number of terms n is given as 8.
2Step 2: Plug the values into the formula
Substitute these values into the formula for the sum of a geometric series: \( S_n = a*(1 - r^n)/(1 - r) = 1*(1 - 2^8)/(1 - 2) \)
3Step 3: Calculate the sum
Calculate the sum by simplifying the expression. Since 2^8 is 256 and (1 - 256) gives -255, the equation becomes: \( S_n = 1*(-255)/-1 = 255 \)