Sequences Word Problems

Carey is organizing her books and putting them on shelves. She put 2 books on the first shelf, 8 books on the second shelf, 32 books on the third shelf, and 128 books on the fourth shelf. What kind of sequence is this?

• Geometric

• Arithmetic

• Both

• Neither

Which sequence type, and common ratio/difference is correct for the table?

• arithmetic

  common ratio = 2

• geometric

  common ratio = 2

• arithmetic

  common difference = 2

• geometric

  common difference = -2

You have $729 in the bank on Day 1, $243 on Day 2, and $81 on Day 3. Write the explicit formula that expresses the sequence.

• a_n = 729(1/3)^n-1

• a_n = 729(3)^n-1

• a_n = 1/3(a_n-1)

• a_n = 1/3(729)^n-1

This image shows how a certain bacteria grows in a petri dish. What is the common ratio of this sequence?

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 6

Explain how you could use a graphing calculator to determine whether the data in the table to the right represents a geometric sequence.

• Multiply each term by the preceding term to see if there is a common ratio.

• Divide each term by the preceding term to see if there is a common ratio.

• Subtract each term from the preceding term to see if there is a common difference.

• Add each term to the preceding term to see if there is a common difference.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 meaning "I have no clue what is going on" to 5 meaning "I got it completely," how would you rate your understanding of identifying Geometric  Sequences: Graphing & Word Problems ?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

2. Lee earned $240 in the first week, $350 in the second week and $460 in the third week, and so on in an arithmetic sequence. If he has earned $3,100, what week is it?

• 31

• 26

• 25

• 27

Lee earned $240 in the first week, $350 in the second week and $460 in the third week, and so on in an arithmetic sequence. How much will he earn in the 9th week

• 1050

• 1630

• 1120

• 840

There are 125 passengers in the first carriage, 150 passengers in the second carriage and 175 passengers in the third carriage, and so on in an arithmetic sequence. How many people will be in the 7th carriage?

• 300

• 250

• 275

• 225

There are 125 passengers in the first carriage, 150 passengers in the second carriage and 175 passengers in the third carriage, and so on in an arithmetic sequence. Which carriage will be carrying 350 passengers?

• 9

• 10

• 8

• 11