Sum of n Natural Numbers in Python

Video Tutorial
FREE
Print Sum of Numbers in given Range thumbnail
This video belongs to
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
16 modules
Certificate
Topics Covered

Transform Your Career

Choose from our industry-leading programs designed for career success

NSDC Certified

Modern Software and AI Engineering Program

Master full-stack development with AI integration

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

Modern Data Science and ML with specialisation in AI

Advanced data science techniques with AI specialization

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

Advanced AIML with Specialisation in Agentic AI

Deep dive into AIML with focus on Agentic systems

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

DevOps, Cloud & AI Platform Engineering

Build and manage AI-powered cloud infrastructure

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

AI Engineering Advanced Certification by IIT-Roorkee

Premier AI engineering certification from IIT-Roorkee

3 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
Program highlights
Go to Program

Overview to Find the Sum of First n Natural Numbers

The natural numbers are the positive numbers, and the least natural number is 1. We can find the sum of n natural numbers using a single transversal loop or a mathematical formula.

Program to Find the Sum of First n Natural Numbers

Suppose you want to find the sum of n natural numbers in python. There are multiple ways to find the sum of first n natural numbers. Let's discuss each method one by one.

Sum of Natural No

Free Courses by top Scaler instructors
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
Java Course - Mastering the Fundamentals
DBMS Course - Master the Fundamentals and Advanced Concepts
JavaScript Course With Certification: Unlocking the Power of JavaScript
C++ Course: Learn the Essentials
Python and SQL for Data Science
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
Java Course - Mastering the Fundamentals
DBMS Course - Master the Fundamentals and Advanced Concepts
JavaScript Course With Certification: Unlocking the Power of JavaScript
C++ Course: Learn the Essentials
Python and SQL for Data Science

Using Recursion

We can use recursion to the sum of n natural numbers in python. Let's understand using an example of how to use recursion to find the sum of n natural numbers.

In the below program, we are calculating the sum of the first n natural number using recursion. The sum() method is recursively called in the decreasing order of natural numbers until the natural number becomes equal to 1.

Output:

The sum of the first 5 natural numbers is 15.

Note:

  • The time complexity of this approach is O(n).
  • The space complexity is O(n) because we use the stack memory to perform the recursive call while calculating the sum of natural numbers.

Scaler Placement Report and Statistics

₹23L
AVG CTC
SCALER PLACEMENT PROOF

Scaler learners achieved 2.5x salary growth with average post-Scaler CTC reaching ₹23L.

11,000+placements
650+companies
Verified data
Hiring Partners:
GoogleGoogleAmazonAmazonMicrosoftMicrosoftFlipkartFlipkartAdobeAdobe1200+ more

Using For Loop

Let's understand how to use for loop to find the sum of n natural numbers in python

In the below program, we are using a for loop that is iterating on the range of [1-n] and storing the sum in a variable, let's say sum in this case.

Output:

Note:

  • The time complexity of this approach is O(n).
  • The space complexity of this approach is O(1).

Using Formula

We can find the sum of n natural numbers in python in the time complexity O(1) and the space complexity of O(1). Let's first understand the formula behind this.

The formula is (n*(n+1))/2, where n represents the first n natural numbers.

Let's understand this formula.

Sum of first n natural numbers=(n*(n+1)/2)

Examples:

n=5
Sum=(5*(5+1))/2=(5*6)/2=30/2=15
The sum of the first 5 natural numbers is 15.

Let's understand how to use the above formula using an example.

Output:

The sum of natural numbers up to 5 is 15.

Explore Scaler Topics Python Tutorial and enhance your Python skills with Reading Tracks and Challenges.

Turn Learning into Career Growth

1200+Hiring Partners
89%Placement Rate
11,000+Placements
147%Avg Salary Increment
2.5XCareer Growth
₹23 LPAAvg Post-Scaler Salary
1200+Hiring Partners
89%Placement Rate
11,000+Placements
147%Avg Salary Increment
2.5XCareer Growth
₹23 LPAAvg Post-Scaler Salary

Conclusion

  • The least natural number is 1.
  • The formula to find the sum of the first n natural number is n*(n+1)/2.
  • Recursion process requires more space than iteration to find the sum of natural numbers.
  • The Worst space complexity occurs in the recursion method to find the sum of n natural numbers.

See Also: