First we need to find the common ratio by dividing the second term by the first term. 36/120 = 3/10
an = a1 * r^(n-1)
n = term to find = 5
a1 = first term = 120
r = common ratio = 3/10
now we sub and solve
a5 = 120 * 3/10^(5 - 1)
a5 = 120 * 3/10^4
a5 = 120 * .0081
a5 = 0.972 <=== fifth term
or we could have just done this......since we multiply by 3/10 to find the next number...
a3 = 10.8......10.8 * 3/10 = 3.24 <== 4th term
3.24 * 3/10 = 0.972 <== fifth term
To isolate the variable means to have it by itself on one side of the equation, where the variable equals an expression.
To isolate
, we will need to remove the variables and other terms "connected" to the
variable:



By dividing terms "connected" to our
variable, we have isolated it one side of the equation.
Given:
The function is:

To find:
The initial value of the function.
Solution:
We have,

The value of the function at x=0 is called the initial value of the function.
For x=0, we get


Clearly 0.88 is a non zero number and zero to the power of a non zero number is always 1.


Therefore, the initial value of the function is 350.