Geometric progression meaning

Geometric progression is a sequence of numbers where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant factor, known as the common ratio.


Geometric progression definitions

Word backwards cirtemoeg noissergorp
Part of speech The word "geometric progression" is a noun.
Syllabic division geo-met-ric pro-gres-sion
Plural The plural of "geometric progression" is "geometric progressions."
Total letters 20
Vogais (3) e,o,i
Consonants (8) g,m,t,r,c,p,s,n

Geometric Progression: Understanding the Basics

Geometric progression, also known as geometric sequence, is a sequence of numbers where each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed, non-zero number called the common ratio. This common ratio is denoted by the letter r. The general form of a geometric progression is: a, ar, ar2, ar3, ..., arn-1.

Key Characteristics of Geometric Progression

One of the key characteristics of geometric progression is that the ratio of any term to the previous term is always constant. In other words, each term is a multiple of the preceding term by the same fixed ratio. This property distinguishes geometric progression from arithmetic progression, where the difference between consecutive terms is constant.

Another important characteristic is that the nth term of a geometric progression can be calculated using the formula: arn-1, where a is the first term of the sequence. This formula allows for the easy determination of any term in the geometric progression without having to list out all the preceding terms.

Applications of Geometric Progression

Geometric progressions are commonly used in various fields such as finance, biology, physics, and computer science. In finance, they are utilized to calculate compound interest and exponential growth. In biology, geometric progressions can model population growth. In physics, they can describe processes involving exponential decay. In computer science, they are applied in algorithms for tasks such as geometric series summation.

Understanding geometric progression is essential in solving problems that involve exponential growth or decay. By recognizing the patterns and properties of geometric progressions, one can efficiently analyze and predict outcomes in a wide range of real-world scenarios.


Geometric progression Examples

  1. The population of a city is growing at a rate that follows a geometric progression.
  2. Investors are interested in calculating returns using the concept of geometric progression.
  3. Bacteria in a petri dish multiply according to a geometric progression.
  4. The amount of interest accrued on a loan may be calculated using a geometric progression.
  5. A construction company is tasked with increasing the size of a structure using a geometric progression.
  6. Students are studying the growth of plants in a greenhouse, which is following a geometric progression.
  7. An epidemic is spreading through a community following a geometric progression.
  8. A series of investments are made with increasing amounts according to a geometric progression.
  9. In a computer program, the size of each iteration may be defined by a geometric progression.
  10. The number of eggs in a nest doubles each day, demonstrating a geometric progression.


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  • Updated 04/04/2024 - 09:44:50