If a1 = 3 and r = 2, what is a4?

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Multiple Choice

If a1 = 3 and r = 2, what is a4?

Explanation:
In a geometric sequence, each term is found by multiplying the previous term by the common ratio. Here, the first term is 3 and the ratio is 2, so the fourth term is a1 times r^(4-1): 3 * 2^3 = 3 * 8 = 24. The sequence goes 3, 6, 12, 24, ... If you were thinking this was arithmetic, you’d add, not multiply, which would give a different value; the multiplying-by-r pattern is what matters here.

In a geometric sequence, each term is found by multiplying the previous term by the common ratio. Here, the first term is 3 and the ratio is 2, so the fourth term is a1 times r^(4-1): 3 * 2^3 = 3 * 8 = 24. The sequence goes 3, 6, 12, 24, ... If you were thinking this was arithmetic, you’d add, not multiply, which would give a different value; the multiplying-by-r pattern is what matters here.

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