C Program to find Sum of Elements in an Array

October 6, 2022

Sum of Elements in an Array in C

Today we will learn how to find sum of elements in an array is easy task when you know how to iterate through array elements. In this problem we will explain you C approach to find sum of array elements inputted by the user.
Here is the solution of this query in C Language.

Methods discussed in the post

Method 1: Linear Iterative Solution
Method 2: Recursive approach starting from 0th array index
Method 3: Recursive approach starting from last array index

Method 1

For an array arr[]

Initialize sum = 0
Run an iterative loop in iteration of (i)
For each i do – sum = sum + arr[i]
Print sum

Method 1 : Code in C

Run

#include <stdio.h>

int calcSum(int arr[], int len){
    int sum = 0;
    
    for(int i = 0; i < len; i++)
        sum = sum + arr[i];
        
    return sum;
}
int main()
{
    int arr[] = {1, 5, 2, 10, 4, 8};
    
    // get the length of the array
    int len = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);    
    
    printf("Sum: %d",calcSum(arr, len));
}
// Time Complexity : O(N)
// Space Complexity : O(N)

Output

Sum: 30

Find the Smallest and largest element in an array

Find Second Smallest Element in an Array

Reverse an Array

Sort first half in ascending order and second half in descending

Sort the elements of an array

Method 2 (using Recursion)

For an array arr[] call a function calcSum()

When reading last index if(index == len-1) return arr[index]
In all other cases return arr[index] + calcSum(arr, index+1, len);
Print the return value

Method 2 : Code in C

Run

#include <stdio.h>

// recursion starts from a[0] goes to a[len-1]
int calcSum(int arr[], int index, int len)
{
    if(index == len-1)
        return arr[index];
        
    return arr[index] + calcSum(arr, index+1, len);
}

int main()
{
    int arr[] = {1, 5, 2, 10, 4, 8};
    
    // get the length of the array
    int len = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);    
    
    printf("Sum: %d",calcSum(arr, 0, len));
}
// Time Complexity : O(N)
// Space Complexity : O(N)
// Auxiliary Space Complexity : (N) due to function call stack

Output

Sum: 30

Method 3 (using Recursion)

For an array arr[] call a function calcSum(). But start the recursion from the last index this time

When reading first index if(index == 0) return arr[index].
In all other cases return arr[index] + calcSum(arr, index-1);
Print the return value

Method 3 : Code in C

Run

#include <stdio.h>

// Recursion starts from a[len-1] goes till a[0]
int calcSum(int arr[], int index)
{
    if(index == 0)
        return arr[index];
        
    return arr[index] + calcSum(arr, index-1);
}
int main()
{
    int arr[] = {1, 5, 2, 10, 4, 8};
    
    // get the length of the array
    int len = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);    
    
    printf("Sum: %d",calcSum(arr, len-1));
}
// Time Complexity : O(N)
// Space Complexity : O(N)
// Auxiliary Space Complexity : (N) due to function call stack

Output

Sum: 30

Prime Course Trailer

Related Banners

Get PrepInsta Prime & get Access to all 200+ courses offered by PrepInsta in One Subscription

2 comments on “C Program to find Sum of Elements in an Array”

Ankit
If we have to input array from user and then we have to get the sum of the elements. Here is the code…
from array import*
arr=array(‘i’,[])
sum=0
n=int(input(“enter the length of array”))
for i in range(n):
x=int(input(“enter the elements”))
arr.append(x)
sum=sum+x
print(arr)
print(sum)
Input-2,3,4,5,6 if n=5
Output- 20

Log in to Reply
Ankit
In short if we have to code by giving an input from ourself. Here is the code
from numpy import array
arr=array([20,15,7,13,22])
print(arr.sum())
Output-77

Log in to Reply