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Geometric Progression
A geometric progression (GP) is a progression
the ratio of any term and its previous term is
equal to a fixed constant. It is a special type of
progression. In order to get the next term in
the geometric progression, we have to
multiply the current term with a fixed number
known as the common ratio, every time, and if
we want to find the preceding term in the
progression, we just have to divide the term
with the same common ratio. Example: 2, 4, 8,
16, 32, ... is a GP having a common ratio of 2.

The geometric progressions can be finite or

infinite. Its common ratio can be negative or
positive. Here we shall learn more about the
GP formulas, and the different types of
geometric progressions.

What is a Geometric
Progression?
A geometric progression is a special type
of progression where the successive terms
bear a constant ratio known as a common
ratio. It is also commonly referred to as GP.
The GP is generally represented in form a, ar,

ar2.... where 'a' is the first term and 'r' is the

common ratio of the progression. The
common ratio can have both negative as well
as positive values. To find the terms of a
geometric series, we only need the first term
and the constant ratio.

The geometric progression is of two types.

They are

finite geometric progression and

infinite geometric progression.

Let us see the information about each of these.

Finite geometric progression

Finite geometric progression contains a finite

number of terms. It is the progression where
the last term is defined. For example
1/2,1/4,1/8,1/16,...,1/32768 is a finite geometric
series where the last term is 1/32768.

Infinite geometric progression

Infinite geometric progression contains an

infinite number of terms. It is the progression
where the last term is not defined. For
example, 3, −6, +12, −24, +... is an infinite
series where the last term is not defined.

Geometric Progression
Formula
Here are the formulas related to geometric
progressions. Consider a geometric

progression a, ar, ar2, ar3, ...

nth term: an = arn - 1 (or) an = r an - 1

Sum of the first n terms: Sn = a(rn - 1) / (r -

1) when r ≠ 1 and Sn = na when r = 1.
Sum of infinite terms: S∞ = a / (1 - r) when
|r| < 1 and the sum is NOT defined when |r|
≥ 1.

Let us study each formula in detail in the

upcoming sections.

n^th Term of a Geometric

Progression

To find the nth term of a GP, we require the first

term and the common ratio. If the common
ratio is not known, the common ratio is
calculated by finding the ratio of any term to

its preceding term. The formula for the nth

term of the geometric progression is:

an = arn-1

where

a is the first term

r is the common ratio
n is the number of the term which we want
to find.

This formula directly follows by observing the

geometric progression pattern a, ar, ar2, ar3,

...

Geometric Progression
Sum Formula
The geometric progression sum formula is
used to find the sum of all the terms in a
geometric progression. As we read in the
above section that geometric progression is of
two types, finite and infinite geometric
progressions, hence the sum of their terms is
also calculated by different formulas.

If the number of terms in a geometric

progression is finite, then the sum of the
geometric series is calculated by the
formula:

Sn = a(1 − rn)/(1 − r) for r ≠ 1, and

Sn = an for r = 1

If the number of terms in a geometric

progression is infinite, then the sum of the
geometric series is calculated by the
formula:
S∞ = a/(1 - r), when |r| < 1
The sum cannot be found when |r| ≥ 1

Proof of Sum of Finite Geometric

Progression Formula

Consider a finite geometric progression of n

terms, a, ar, ar2, ..., arn - 1. Then their sum is,

Sn = a + ar + ar2 + ar3 + ... + arn-1... (1)

Multiplying both sides by r,

rSn = ar + ar2 + ar3 + ... + arn... (2)

Subtracting equation (1) from equation (2),

rSn - Sn = arn - a

Sn (r - 1) = a (rn - 1)

Sn = a(rn - 1) / (r - 1)

Since (r - 1) is in its denominator, it is defined

only when r ≠ 1. If r = 1, the progression looks
like a, a, a, ... and the sum of the first n terms,
in this case, Sn = a + a + a + ... (n times) = na.

Proof of Sum of Infinite Geometric

Progression Formula

Consider an infinite geometric sequence a, ar,

ar2, ... Its sum is denoted by S∞. Then

S∞ = a + ar + ar2 + ar3+ ... ...(1)

Multiply both sides by r,

rS∞ = ar + ar2 + ar3+ ... ... (2)

Subtracting equation (2) from equation (1),

S∞ - rS∞ = a

S∞ (1 - r) = a

S∞ = a / (1 - r)

This formula is valid only when |r| < 1. This is

because when the common ratio is less than 1
(a proper fraction), the terms become smaller
and smaller as we go forward and they are
equivalent to 0. Hence the sum is defined in
this case. But when |r| ≥ 1, then the terms
become larger and larger infinitely and hence
we cannot determine the sum in this case.

Geometric Progression vs
Arithmetic Progression
Here are a few differences between geometric
progression and arithmetic progression shown
in the table below:

Geometric Arithmetic
Progression Progression

GP has the same

AP does not have a
common ratio
common ratio.
throughout.

GP does not have a AP has the same

common common difference
difference. throughout.

A new term is the

A new term is the
sum of the previous
product of the
term and the
previous term and
common
the common ratio
difference.

An infinite
An infinite
geometric
arithmetic
progression is
progression is
either divergent or
always divergent.
convergent.

The variation of the

terms is non-linear. The variation of the
In fact, it is terms is linear.
exponential.

Important Notes on Geometric

Progression:

In a geometric progression, each

successive term is obtained by multiplying
the common ratio to its preceding term.
The formula for the nth term of a geometric
progression whose first term is a and

common ratio is r is: an=arn-1.

The sum of n terms in GP whose first term
is a and the common ratio is r can be

calculated using the formula: Sn = [a(1-rn)]

/ (1-r).
The sum of infinite GP formula is given as:
Sn = a/(1-r) where |r|<1.

Related Topics:
☛Related

Geometric Series Formula

Sum of n Terms of AP
Geometric Progression Calculator

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SHEETS

Geometric
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Worksheet
Geometric Se…

This Painter is Slow and U…

Geometric Progression
Examples

Example 1: Look at the pattern

shown below.

Observe that each square is half of the

size of the square next to it. Which

Show Answer >

Practice Questions on
Geometric Progression

Q. 1

Drag and drop the appropriate

geometric progression.

Geometric
Progression

Check Answer >

FAQs on Geometric
Progression
What are Geometric Progressions?

Geometric progressions are patterns

where each term is multiplied by a constant to
get its next term. For example, 3, 9, 27, 81, ... is
a geometric progression as every term is
getting multiplied by a fixed number 3 to get
its next term.

What are GP Formulas?

How Do You Find the Sum of an Infinite

Geometric Progression?

Which Infinite Geometric Progression

has a Sum?

What is r in GP Formula?

How to Find the Common Ratio in

Geometric Progression?

What is the Difference Between

Arithmetic Progression and Geometric
Progression?

What is the Difference Between

Geometric Progression and Harmonic
Progression?

What is the Difference Between the

Finite Geometric Progression and the
Infinite Geometric Progression?

How Do You Find the nth Term of an

Infinite Geometric Progression?

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