The Geometric Series Formula | Calculating the Sum of Infinite and Finite Geometric Sequences

Geometric Series Formula

The geometric series formula is used to calculate the sum of an infinite geometric sequence or the sum of a finite geometric sequence

The geometric series formula is used to calculate the sum of an infinite geometric sequence or the sum of a finite geometric sequence.

For an infinite geometric series, where the first term is “a” and the common ratio is “r” (with |r| < 1), the formula is: S = a / (1 - r) Here, S represents the sum of the infinite geometric series. For example, consider the series 3 + 1 + 1/3 + 1/9 + ... where a = 3 and r = 1/3. Using the formula, we can find the sum: S = 3 / (1 - 1/3) = 3 / (2/3) = 9/2 So, the sum of the infinite geometric series is 9/2. For a finite geometric series, which consists of "n" terms, the formula is slightly different and is given by: Sn = a * ((1 - r^n) / (1 - r)) Here, Sn represents the sum of the finite geometric series. For example, let's consider the series 2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32. This series has 5 terms, so n = 5. In this case, a = 2 and r = 4/2 = 2. Using the formula, we can find the sum: S5 = 2 * ((1 - 2^5) / (1 - 2)) = 2 * ((1 - 32) / (-1)) = 2 * (-31) = -62 So, the sum of the finite geometric series is -62. It is important to note that the formula for the sum of a finite geometric series is only valid when |r| < 1. If the common ratio is greater than or equal to 1, the series diverges and does not have a finite sum.

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