Search for a topic SIGNUP LOGIN

LEARN EXAMS

Home > Formulas > Maths Formulas > Geometric Series Formula

ASK CONCEPTS

Maths Formulas

Geometric Series Formula

Sequences of numbers are having some rules and patterns. This pattern
may be of any routine kind, applicable from one term to another term.
A sequence where multiplication is needed to get the next term is the
geometric sequence. Terms of the sequence can be accumulated with
plus or minus symbols, to get its sum. This will give the geometric
series. For example one geometric series is 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 , … This
article will explain about the geometric series and geometric series
formula with examples. Let us learn the interesting concept!

What is Geometric Series?

A geometric series is also termed as the geometric progression. It is a
series formed by multiplying the first term by a fixed value to get the
second term. This process is continued until we get a required number
of terms in the series. Such a progression increases in a specific way
and hence giving a geometric progression.

The geometric series formula will refer to determine the general term
as well as the sum of all the terms in it. For example, in the above series,
if we multiply by 2 to the first number we will get the second number
and so on.
As such series behave according to a simple rule of multiplying a
constant number to one term to get to another. Therefore, we can
generate any number of the term of such series. So we can examine
such series to know about the fixed numbers for multiplication, which
is called the common ratios. It is denoted as a symbol ‘r’.

The Formula for Geometric Series

General Generic Sequence is: a1 , a2 , a3 …

Take a1 as the first term of the sequence.. The common ratio ‘r’ has the
formula for its computation is follows:

an
r =
an−1

where n is a positive integer and n >1.

The formula for the general term for any geometric series will be:
n−1
an = a1 r

Now formula to add finite n number of terms of the series will be:

n
a1 (1−r )
Sn = , f or, r < 1
1−r

n
a1 (r −1)
And, Sn =
r−1
, f or, r > 1

For the infinite number of terms, we have much more compact formula
as:

a1
S∞ = f or, r < 1
1−r

a1
And S∞ =
r−1
f or, r > 1
 a1 Frist term

an General nth term

n Number of terms

r Common ratio

Sn Sum of n terms

S∞ Sum of infinity terms

Solved Examples for Geometric Series Formula

Q.1: Add the infinite sum 27 + 18 + 12 + …

Solution: It is a geometric sequence. So using Geometric Series Formula

Here , a1 = 27

a2
r =
a1

18 2
r = =
27 3

Sum of the infinity terms will be:

a1
S∞ =
1−r

27
S∞ = 2
1−
3

= 81

Thus sum of given infinity series will be 81.

Q.2: Find the sum of the first 10 terms of the given sequence: 3 + 6 + 12 +
….

Solution: The given series is a geometric series, due to a fixed common

ratio.

Also its first term is , a1 = 3

n = 10

Common ratio, r =
6

i.e. r = 2

since r is greater than 1. So formula for sum of finite terms will be,

n
a1 (r −1)
Sn = , f or, r > 1
r−1

Thus substituting values , we have

10
3(2 −1)
S10 =
2−1

= 3 × (1024 − 1)

S10 = 3069

Thus sum will be 3069.

Previous
Share with friends Next
Right Triangle Formula Chord Length Formula
 Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in?

5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th

9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th

GET STARTED

Get ready for all-new Live Classes!

Now learn Live with India's best teachers. Join courses with the best
schedule and enjoy fun and interactive classes.

tutor tutor tutor

tutor tutor tutor

Ashhar Firdausi Dr. Nazma Shaik Gaurav Tiwari

IIT Roorkee VTU APJAKTU
Biology Chemistry Physics
 GET STARTED

Browse
Maths Formulas

Hexagon Formula Integral Calculus Formulas Prime Number Formula

Scalene Triangle Formula Geometric Sequence Formula Linear Interpolation Formula

Calculus Formulas Sin 2x Formula Secant Formula Equation Formula

One response to “Equation Formula”

1. KUCKOO B says:
March 20, 2021 at 12:17 pm

I get a different answer for first example.

I got Q1 as 20.5
median 23 and
Q3 26

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Post Comment
Browse
Maths Formulas

Hexagon Formula

Integral Calculus Formulas

Prime Number Formula

Scalene Triangle Formula

Geometric Sequence Formula

Linear Interpolation Formula

Calculus Formulas

Sin 2x Formula

Secant Formula

Equation Formula

Download the App

Watch lectures, practise questions and take tests on the go.

Download Previous Years QUESTION PAPERS

Quick TIPS AND TRICKS for Successful Exam Preparation

Download NCERT Notes and Solutions

Learn from VIDEO lectures

CLASSES BOARDS EXAMS

CL ASS 5 CBSE MADHYA PRADESH JEE MAIN NEE T NTSE

CL ASS 6 ICSE MAHARASHTRA JEE ADVANCED AIIMS NSO

CL ASS 7 IGCSE PUNJAB UPSEE AFMC NSTSE

CL ASS 8 ANDHRA PRADESH RAJASTHAN BITSAT AP EAMCE T KVPY

CL ASS 9 BIHAR TAMIL NADU TS EAMCE T COMEDK HBBVS

CL ASS 10 GUJARAT TEL ANGANA WBJEE JIPMER IMO

CL ASS 11 JHARKHAND UTTAR PRADESH VITEEE BCECE IEO

CL ASS 12 KARNATAKA MHT-CE T KCE T IJSO

CL ASS 12+ KERAL A SAT KEAM NDA

About Us • Press • Customer Stories • Jobs • Educators • Blog • Bytes • Contact Us

• FAQs

Terms Of Service • Privacy Policy