Select the correct answer.

What is the sum of the first five terms in this series?
[tex]\[3 + (-9) + 27 + (-81) + \cdots \][/tex]

A. 183
B. 243
C. -9
D. 61



Answer :

Let's determine the sum of the first five terms of the given geometric series:
[tex]\[3 + (-9) + 27 + (-81) + \cdots\][/tex]

First, identify the first term [tex]\((a)\)[/tex] and the common ratio [tex]\((r)\)[/tex] of the geometric series:
- The first term [tex]\(a\)[/tex] is 3.
- The common ratio [tex]\(r\)[/tex] can be found by dividing the second term by the first term:
[tex]\[ r = \frac{-9}{3} = -3 \][/tex]

We use the formula for the sum of the first [tex]\(n\)[/tex] terms of a geometric series:
[tex]\[ S_n = a \left( \frac{1 - r^n}{1 - r} \right) \quad \text{for} \quad r \neq 1. \][/tex]

For this problem, we want the sum of the first five terms [tex]\((n = 5)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ a = 3, \quad r = -3, \quad n = 5 \][/tex]

Plug these values into the formula:
[tex]\[ S_5 = 3 \left( \frac{1 - (-3)^5}{1 - (-3)} \right) \][/tex]

Calculate [tex]\((-3)^5\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (-3)^5 = -243 \][/tex]

Now substitute this back into the formula:
[tex]\[ S_5 = 3 \left( \frac{1 - (-243)}{1 + 3} \right) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ S_5 = 3 \left( \frac{1 + 243}{4} \right) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ S_5 = 3 \left( \frac{244}{4} \right) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ S_5 = 3 \times 61 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ S_5 = 183 \][/tex]

Therefore, the sum of the first five terms is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{183} \][/tex]