The sum of 100 terms of the series 0.9+0.09+0.009+.... will be?

1 Answer
Apr 28, 2018

Sum approx 1

Explanation:

Sum = 0.9+0.09+0.009+ ...

The sum is a geometric progression (GP) with first term (a_1)=0.9 and common ratio (r)=0.1

The sum of the first n terms of a GP is given by:

Sum = (a_1(1-r^n))/(1-r)

In this case,

Sum = (0.9(1-0.1^100))/(1-0.1)

= (cancel0.9(1-0.1^100))/cancel0.9

approx (1-0)

approx 1

[NB: 0.1^100 = 1 xx 10^-100 so (1- 0.1^100) is actually 0. followed by 100 9's]