geometric progression

noun

, Mathematics.

1. 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.

geometric progression

noun

1. a sequence of numbers, each of which differs from the succeeding one by a constant ratio, as 1, 2, 4, 8, … Compare arithmetic progression

geometric progression

1. 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.
2. Compare arithmetic progression

geometric progression

1. 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

Many processes involving growth and spreading, such as population increases, can be described as geometric progressions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of geometric progression¹

First recorded in 1550–60

Example Sentences

Industrialization, education, can be a geometric progression.

From Project Gutenberg

It came to him that this sort of thing could work like a geometric progression.

From Project Gutenberg

The intermediate figures show that the increase has been in almost geometric progression in recent years.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a problem the complexity of which grows in geometric progression as time goes on.

From Project Gutenberg

Once that point has been reached you can move in almost a geometric progression.

From Project Gutenberg