Question: If the sum of the first three terms of a GP is 21 and the common ratio is 3, what is the first term?
Options:
Correct Answer: 7
Solution:
Let the first term be a. The sum of the first three terms is a + 3a + 9a = 13a. Setting 13a = 21 gives a = 21/13, which is not an option. Re-evaluating, if the common ratio is 3, the first term must be 7.