Algebra-1

To find the first term of a geometric sequence, we need to determine the common ratio (r) and use it to find the value of a₁.

Given that a₃ = 12 and a₅ = 48, we can express a₁ in terms of the common ratio (r)

a₅ = a₁ * r^(5-1)
48 = a₁ * r⁴

Similarly, we can express a₃ in terms of a₁ and r:

a₃ = a₁ * r^(3-1)
12 = a₁ * r²

To eliminate a₁, we can divide the second equation by the first equation:

(48 / 12)...