Geometric series is a mathematical term used to describe a sequence of numbers where each successive term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant factor. The word is spelled using the phonetic transcription [ˌdʒiːəˈmɛtrɪk ˈsɪəriz], with English vowels represented by symbols such as "i" and "e", and the "c" pronounced as a "k" sound. The stressed syllables are marked with the symbol ˈ, indicating that they are pronounced with greater emphasis, and the last syllable is pronounced with a "z" sound.
A geometric series is a mathematical sequence of numbers in which each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant factor. It is also referred to as a geometric progression. The series is characterized by a common ratio, which is the constant factor used to multiply each term by the previous one.
Precisely, a geometric series can be expressed as a₁, a₁r, a₁r², a₁r³, ..., where a₁ represents the first term and r is the common ratio. The concept can be visualized as a line divided into equal segments, each segment being the result of multiplying the previous segment by a fixed factor.
One of the key features of a geometric series is that the ratio between any two consecutive terms remains constant. This property allows for the calculation of any term in the series by using a simple formula. Specifically, the nth term of a geometric series can be found using the formula a₁r^(n-1), where n represents the term's position in the series.
Geometric series find extensive use in various mathematical and real-world applications. They are particularly valuable in finance, physics, engineering, and computer science. Their predictable growth and behavior make them valuable tools in modeling exponential growth, compound interest calculations, population studies, and many other scenarios that involve exponential relationships.
In summary, a geometric series is a sequence of numbers in which each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a constant ratio. Its predictable pattern and the ability to estimate any term in the series make it an essential concept in mathematics and its practical applications.
The word geometric series derives from the combination of the Greek words geo meaning earth or earthly and metron meaning measure or measurement. The term was first used in mathematics to describe a specific type of numerical sequence that resembles the proportions found in geometric shapes. In a geometric series, each term is found by multiplying the previous term by a constant factor called the common ratio. This connection to the concept of measurement and the geometric properties of shapes led to the term geometric series.