Education Technology

Mathematics lessons for IB® Diploma Programme

Analysis and Approaches | Numbers and Algebra

ExploringGeomSequences_1

Exploring Geometric Sequences

Activity Overview

Students explore geometric series by considering the effect of the value for the common ratio and first term using sliders.

Key Steps

ExploringGeomSequences_1

Step 1

Students will explore geometric sequences graphically and numerically by varying the values of the common ratio. Clicking on the up or down arrow of the minimized slider while viewing a split screen of a graph and a spreadsheet makes this a dynamic activity.

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Step 2

Changing the values of both of the variables, first term and common ratio, of a geometric sequence gives students a deeper understanding of their behavior. A spreadsheet of the terms is available on page 3.2 to investigate the behavior numerically.

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Step 3

Students will examine the derivation of the sum of a finite geometric series and use it to solve several problems. Student will also use Mathboxes to calculate the cumulative sum of a sequence.