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Geometric Progression (G.P) Formula

Also, read
A.P Formula
H.P Formula

Geometric Progression:

A series of numbers where each consecutive term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant number every time then the series is said to be in Geometric Progression(G.P). We can also say that when two consecutive term in a series is divided and the quotient remains same every time then the series is said to be in Geometric Progression. Geometric progression (G.P) is also known as Geometric Sequence.

The constant (quotient) is said to be Common Ratio.

Terms used in Geometric Progression

a – first term or scale factor

r – Common Ratio

n – number of terms

an nth term

Sn Sum of n terms of G.P

SSum of infinite (∞) terms of G.

Geometric Progression is expressed as

a, ar, ar2, ar3, ….. Where r ≠ 0

Common Ratio Rules:

If common ratio is

For example:
1, -2, 4, -8, 16, -32… – in this series common ratio is -2 and the first term is 1.

For Example:
1, 5, 25, 125, 625 … – in this series common ratio is 5.

For Example:
1, -5, 25, -125, 625, -3125, 15625, … – in this series common ratio is -5.

For Example:
4, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.0625 … – in this series common ratio is \(\frac{1}{2}\)
4, -2, 1, -0.5, 0.25, -0.125, 0.0625 … – in this series common ratio is – \(\frac{1}{2}\)

Formula related to G.P

an = arn-1

 

Sn = \(\frac{a(1-r^{n})}{1-r}\) r ≠ 1

 

Sn = a.n if r = 1

 

S = \(\frac{a}{1-r}\) provided |r|< 1

 

Properties of G.P

a2k = ak-1ak+1
a1
an = a2an-1 =…= akan-k+1

Examples related to G.P:

Q. If 2, 4, 8… are in G.P. Find the 6-th term?

Solution:
an = a1  rn-1
a6 = 2 ⋅ 26-1 = 2 ⋅ 32 = 64

Q. Find the ‘a’ and the ‘r’ of a G.P if
a5– a1= 15
a4 – a2 = 6

Solution:
There are two G.P.
The first one has a =1 and common ratio r= 2
In second term is -16, 1/2

 

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