Edexcel P2 2023 January — Question 7

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleP2 (Pure Mathematics 2)
Year2023
SessionJanuary
TopicGeometric Sequences and Series

  1. A geometric sequence has first term \(a\) and common ratio \(r\), where \(r > 0\)
Given that
  • the 3rd term is 20
  • the 5th term is 12.8
    1. show that \(r = 0.8\)
    2. Hence find the value of \(a\).
Given that the sum of the first \(n\) terms of this sequence is greater than 156
  • find the smallest possible value of \(n\).
    (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)