Use the inverse Lorentz transformation
Along the particle's worldline , so the relativistic velocity-addition formula is
For subluminal collinear velocities, put , and . The hyperbolic tangent addition formula, obtained by dividing the supplied sine/cosine addition formulas, gives
Because hyperbolic tangent is injective on the real line,
Thus rapidity is additive even though velocity is not.
Each positive increment in the instantaneous rest frame adds the same rapidity . Starting from zero rapidity, iterated collinear boosts with equal rapidity give
Every finite number of increments leaves ; the speed of light is approached as .