geometric progression
noun Mathematics.
a sequence of terms in which the ratio between any two successive terms is the same, as the progression 1, 3, 9, 27, 81 or 144, 12, 1, 1/12, 1/144.
Also called
geometric series.
Origin of geometric progression
First recorded in 1550–60
Words nearby geometric progression
geometric distribution,
geometric isomer,
geometric isomerism,
geometric mean,
geometric pace,
geometric progression,
geometric ratio,
geometric series,
geometrical optics,
geometrical pace,
geometrician
British Dictionary definitions for geometric progression
geometric progression
noun
a sequence of numbers, each of which differs from the succeeding one by a constant ratio, as 1, 2, 4, 8, …
Compare arithmetic progression
Scientific definitions for geometric progression
geometric progression
A sequence of numbers in which each number is multiplied by the same factor to obtain the next number in the sequence. In a geometric progression, the ratio of any two adjacent numbers is the same. An example is 5, 25, 125, 625, … , where each number is multiplied by 5 to obtain the following number, and the ratio of any number to the next number is always 1 to 5. Compare arithmetic progression.
Cultural definitions for geometric progression
geometric progression
In mathematics, a sequence of numbers in which each number is obtained from the previous one by multiplying by a constant. For example, the sequence 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 ... (in which each number is multiplied by 2 to get the next one) is a geometric progression.
notes for geometric progression
Many processes involving growth and spreading, such as population increases, can be described as geometric progressions.