C++ programs to find the sum of the series $1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n$ i.e. the sum of the first $n$ natural numbers have been shown here. Both the iterative and recursive approaches have been shown below. The sum can also be computed using the mathematical formula $\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$.
Example:
Suppose $n = 5$
So the sum of first $5$ natural numbers = $1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15$
By using the mathematical formula, we obtain the sum of first $5$ natural numbers = $\frac{5 \cdot (5+1)}{2} = 15 $
The algorithm, pseudocode and time-complexity of the program have also been covered in the following sections.
Page content(s):
1. Algorithm to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n
1. Take number of terms $n$ as inputs.
2. Set $sum = 0$.
3. Add each $i \in [1, n]$, to $sum$.
4. Display $sum$ as output.
2. Pseudocode to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n
Input: Number of terms $n$
Output: Sum of $1+2+3+...+n$
1. Procedure sumSeries($n$):
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6. End Procedure
3. Time complexity to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n
Time Complexity: O(n)
Here $n$ is the number of terms.
Time Complexity (Using formula): O(1)
4. Program & output to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n
4.1. C++ Program & output to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n using formula
/************************************************* alphabetacoder.com C++ Program to find the sum of series 1+2+3+...+n using the formula n(n + 1) / 2 **************************************************/ #include<iostream> using namespace std; int main() { // delclare variables int n, sum = 0; // take input of n cout << "Enter no. of terms: "; cin >> n; // calculate the sum using the formula sum = (n * (n + 1)) / 2; // display result cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl; return 0; }
Output
Enter no of terms: 5
Sum: 15
4.2. C++ Program to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n using iteration
/************************************************** alphabetacoder.com C++ program to find the sum of series 1+2+3+...+n using iterative approach ***************************************************/ #include<iostream> using namespace std; int main() { // delclare variables int i, n, sum = 0; // take input of n cout << "Enter no of terms: "; cin >> n; // calculate the sum using loop for (i = 1; i <= n; i++) { sum += i; } // display result cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl; return 0; }
Output
Enter no of terms: 30
Sum: 465
4.3. C++ Program to find the sum of the series 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n using recursion
/************************************* alphabetacoder.com C++ Program to find the sum of series 1 + 2 + 3 +...+ n using recursion **************************************/ #include<iostream> using namespace std; // recursive function to calculate sum // of series 1 + 2 + 3 ... + n int calculate_sum(int n) { // exit condition of recursive call if (n == 0) return 0; // call function return n + calculate_sum(n - 1); } int main() { // delclare variables int n, sum; // take input of n cout << "Enter no of terms: "; cin >> n; // call function to get result sum = calculate_sum(n); // display result cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl; return 0; }
Output
Enter no of terms: 10
Sum: 55