Infinite Geometric Series

S=a11rS = \frac{a_1}{1 - r}

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When each term is a fixed fraction r of the one before, with |r| < 1, the infinite tail adds up to a finite value: a₁/(1 − r). It resolves Zeno's paradox — walking half the remaining distance forever, 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + …, totals exactly (1/2)/(1 − 1/2) = 1, the whole journey.

The same collapse turns repeating decimals into fractions: 0.7777… is 0.7 + 0.07 + 0.007 + …, a geometric series with a₁ = 0.7 and r = 0.1, so S = 0.7/0.9 = 7/9.

Infinite Geometric Series
S=a11rS = \frac{a_1}{1 - r}
Where
  • SS= Sum of the series
  • a1a_1= First term
  • rr= Common ratio
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