The common ratio of a geometric series is 1/4 and the sum of the first 4 terms is 170.

What is the first term of the series?

Answer: the first term of the series is 128

Step-by-step explanation:

In a geometric sequence, the consecutive terms differ by a common ratio. The formula for determining the sum of n terms, Sn of a geometric sequence is expressed as

Sn = a (1 - r^n) / (1 - r)

Where

n represents the number of term in the sequence.

a represents the first term in the sequence.

r represents the common ratio.

From the information given,

r = 1/4 = 0.25

n = 4

S4 = 170

Therefore, the expression for the sum of the 4 terms, S4 is

170 = a (1 - 0.25^4) / (1 - 0.25)

170 = a (1 - 0.00390625) / (1 - 0.25)

170 = a (0.99609375) / (0.75)

170 = 1.328125a

a = 170/1.328125

a = 128