geometric progression
noun
: a sequence (such as 1, ¹/₂, ¹/₄) in which the ratio of a term to its predecessor is always the same
called also geometrical progression, geometric sequence
Examples of geometric progression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The breadth of its reach, the seeming geometric progression of events, along with the chaotic manner in which information is unfolding, makes it a little difficult to maintain a grasp on what’s going on.
—
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2020
This kind of sequence is called a geometric progression.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2019
There is the more geometric stuff, which uses a lot of repetition (shapes and curves) and plays with optics using fairly precise geometric progressions.
—Duff McDonald, WIRED, 20 Aug. 2019
In general, grids produced from geometric progressions have few distinct products, but many distinct sums, whereas grids produced from arithmetic progressions will have the opposite property: few distinct sums, but many distinct products.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2019
His geometric progression of shapes is forever logical, kept from sterility by a masterful use of water, light and air.
—R. Daniel Foster, latimes.com, 28 June 2019
This contrasts with a geometric progression, in which the numbers are successively multiplied by the same amount and grow exponentially.
—Eugenia Cheng, WSJ, 5 Dec. 2018
Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2020
This kind of sequence is called a geometric progression.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2019
There is the more geometric stuff, which uses a lot of repetition (shapes and curves) and plays with optics using fairly precise geometric progressions.
—Duff McDonald, WIRED, 20 Aug. 2019
In general, grids produced from geometric progressions have few distinct products, but many distinct sums, whereas grids produced from arithmetic progressions will have the opposite property: few distinct sums, but many distinct products.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Feb. 2019
His geometric progression of shapes is forever logical, kept from sterility by a masterful use of water, light and air.
—R. Daniel Foster, latimes.com, 28 June 2019
This contrasts with a geometric progression, in which the numbers are successively multiplied by the same amount and grow exponentially.
—Eugenia Cheng, WSJ, 5 Dec. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'geometric progression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1856, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of geometric progression was
circa 1856
Dictionary Entries Near geometric progression
Cite this Entry
“Geometric progression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geometric%20progression. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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