Geometric Progression

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 125
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:24 pm

Geometric Progression

by joyseychow » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:07 pm
If the ratio of the sum of the first 6 terms of a G.P. to the sum of the first 3 terms of the G.P. is 9, what is the common ratio of the G.P?
A. 3
B. 1/3
C. 2
D. 9
E. 1/9

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:58 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by aspiregmat » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:16 pm
Sum of GP= a * (r^n - 1) / (r - 1)

here the ratio of sum of 6 terms by sum of 3 terms

=> (r^6 - 1) / (r^3 -1 ) = 9
=> r^6 - 9r^3 + 8 = 0
=> (r^3 - 1)(r^3 - 8) = 0

So IMO Ans = 2 i.e. C