How do you find #a_1# for each geometric series #S_n=381/64#, r=1/2, n=7? Precalculus Series Sums of Geometric Sequences 1 Answer Noah G · Alan P. Dec 25, 2016 #a_1 = 3# Explanation: We use the formula #s_n = (a(1 - r^n))/(1 - r)# to find the sum of the first n terms of a geometric series. #381/64= (a(1 - (1/2)^7))/(1 - 1/2)# #381/64 = (a(1 - 1/128))/(1/2)# #381/64 = (127/128a)/(1/2)# #381/64 = 254/128a# #a = (381/64)/(254/128)# #a = 3# Hopefully this helps! Answer link Related questions What is a sample problem about finding the sum of a geometric sequence? What is the formula for the sum of a geometric sequence? What is a sample problem about finding the sum of a geometric sequence? How do I find the sum of the geometric sequence #3/2#, #3/8#? What is the sum of the geometric sequence 3, 15, 75? What is the sum of the geometric sequence 8, 16, 32? How do I find the sum of the geometric series 8 + 4 + 2 + 1? How do you find the sum of the following infinite geometric series, if it exists. 2 + 1.5 +... How do you find the sum of the first 5 terms of the geometric series: 4+ 16 + 64…? How do you find S20 for the geometric series 4 + 12 + 36 + 108 + …? See all questions in Sums of Geometric Sequences Impact of this question 1943 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License