🔀Beginner

Calculate Sum of Natural Numbers

Calculate 1+2+3+...+n

Natural numbers are positive integers: 1, 2, 3, 4, ...
Sum of first n natural numbers: 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + n

Method 1: Using Loop

sum_natural_loop.c
C
1#include <stdio.h>
2
3int main() {
4 int n, sum = 0;
5
6 printf("Enter n: ");
7 scanf("%d", &n);
8
9 for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
10 sum += i; // sum = sum + i
11 }
12
13 printf("Sum of first %d natural numbers = %d\n", n, sum);
14 return 0;
15}
Output

Enter n: 10

Sum of first 10 natural numbers = 55

Method 2: Using Formula

sum_natural_formula.c
C
1#include <stdio.h>
2
3int main() {
4 int n, sum;
5
6 printf("Enter n: ");
7 scanf("%d", &n);
8
9 // Formula: n(n+1)/2
10 sum = n * (n + 1) / 2;
11
12 printf("Sum = %d\n", sum);
13 return 0;
14}

Formula: Sum = n(n+1)/2
For n=10: Sum = 10 × 11 / 2 = 55