Geometric Series
Calculator

Inputs

nth term
4,374

Results

nth term
4,374
Sum of terms
6,560
Infinite sum (|r| < 1)
0

Results

nth term4,374
Sum of terms6,560
Infinite sum (|r| < 1)0

formula-map diagram

nth term
4,374
Sum of terms
6,560
Infinite sum (|r| < 1)
0

Formula map

Formula

Sₙ = a₁ × (1 − rⁿ) ÷ (1 − r)

= 4374

Note

Simplified model: these are exact results of the stated idealised formulas, assuming perfect shapes and exact inputs. Real measurements carry error, and the ellipse perimeter is a Ramanujan approximation. Verify independently before relying on these figures.

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Frequently asked questions

What inputs does this calculator take?+

The first term (a), the common ratio (r) between consecutive terms, and the number of terms (n) to sum.

What is the sum formula?+

For a finite series, the sum is Sn = a × (1 - rⁿ)/(1 - r), valid when r is not equal to 1. Each term is the previous term multiplied by r.

What happens when r equals 1?+

When r = 1, every term is identical to a, so the formula's denominator would be zero. In that case the sum is simply n × a.

Can this calculate an infinite sum?+

An infinite geometric series only converges to a finite sum when |r| < 1, in which case the sum is a/(1-r). If |r| ≥ 1, the sum grows without bound and has no finite value.

Why does a small ratio like 0.5 still let the series add up to a fixed number even with infinite terms?+

Because each successive term shrinks geometrically, the added amounts get smaller and smaller fast enough that their total approaches a limit rather than growing forever — this is the core idea behind convergent series.