Geometric Sequence

Pronunciation: /ˌdʒi əˈmɛt rɪk ˈsik wəns/ ?

A geometric sequence is a sequence of numbers with a common ratio.

For example, the geometric sequence { 1, 3, 9, 27, ... } has a common ratio of 3 since 1·3 = 3, 3·3 = 3, and 9·3 = 27.

A geometric sequence is also called a geometric progression. A geometric sequence is the same thing as a geometric progression.

References

1. Jones, Burton. Elementary Concepts of Mathematics, pp 124-133. MacMillan and Company, 1947. (Accessed: 2010-01-12). http://www.archive.org/stream/elementaryconcep029487mbp#page/n145/mode/1up/search/progression.
2. Underwood, Ralph S.; Nelson, Thomas R.; Selby, Samuel. Intermediate Algebra, pp 227-232. The Macmillan Company, 1947. (Accessed: 2010-02-06). http://www.archive.org/stream/intermediatealge033585mbp#page/n232/mode/1up/search/sequence.

Printed Resources

Cite this article as:

Geometric Sequence. 2010-02-06. All Math Words Encyclopedia. Life is a Story Problem.org. http://www.allmathwords.org/en/g/geometricsequence.html.

Translations

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Image Credits

• All images and manipulatives are by David McAdams unless otherwise stated. All images by David McAdams are Copyright © Life is a Story Problem.org and are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.

Revision History

2010-02-06: Added "References" (McAdams, David.)
2008-08-02: Added paragraph on geometric progression. Added More Information (McAdams, David.)
2007-07-12: Initial version (McAdams, David.)