A geometric series is typically written as $a + ar + ar^2 + \dots$ Using summation notation, the geometric series can be expressed as $\sum_{k=1}^\infty ar^{k-1}$ We know from [[calculus]] that the sum can be expressed as $\sum_{k=1}^\infty ar^{k-1} = \begin{cases} \frac{a}{1-r} & |r| < 1 \\ \text diverges & |r| >= 1 \end{cases} $