7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
Unpacking the meaning of
summa on nota on
This is the sigma symbol: ∑. It tells us that we are
summing something.
Let's start with a basic example:
Stop at n = 3
(inclusive)
3
∑2n − 1
n=1
↖
↗ Expression for each
Start at n = 1 term in the sum
This is a summa on of the expression 2n − 1 for
integer values of n from 1 to 3:
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
3
∑ 2n − 1
n=1
= [2(1) − 1] + [2(2) − 1] + [2(3) − 1]
n=1 n=2 n=3
=1+3+5
=9
No ce how we subs tuted n = 1, n = 2, and n = 3
into 2n − 1 and summed the resul ng terms.
n is our summa on index. When we evaluate a
summa on expression, we keep subs tu ng
different values for our index.
PROBLEM 1
4
∑ n2 =?
n=1
Choose 1 answer:
INCORRECT
1+2+3+4
CORRECT (SELECTED)
12 + 22 + 32 + 42
C (1 + 2 + 3 + 4)2
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
D 12 + 42
Check
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This is a summa on of n2 for values of n from 1 to
4:
4
∑ n2
n=1
= 12 + 22 + 32 + 42
n=1 n=2 n=3 n=4
We can start and end the summa on at any value
of n. For example, this sum takes integer values of
n from 4 to 6:
6
∑n − 1
n=4
= (4 − 1) + (5 − 1) + (6 − 1)
n=4 n=5 n=6
=3+4+5
= 12
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
We can use any le er we want for our index. For
example, this expression has i for its index:
2
∑ 3i − 5
i=0
= [3(0)−5] + [3(1)−5] + [3(2)−5]
i=0 i=1 i=2
= −5 + (−2) + 1
= −6
PROBLEM 2
5
∑ k(k + 1) =
k=3
We couldn't grade your answer. It looks like you le something blank or
entered in an invalid answer.
Check
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5
∑ k(k + 1) =
k=3
= (3)[(3) + 1] + (4)[(4) + 1] + (5)[(5) + 1]
= 12 + 20 + 30
= 62
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
PROBLEM 3
Consider the sum 4 + 25 + 64 + 121.
Which expression is equal to the above sum?
Choose all answers that apply:
3
A ∑ (i2 + 2i + 4)
i=0
3
B ∑(3i + 2)2
i=0
C None of the above
Check
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3
∑ (i2 + 2i + 4)
i=0
= [(0)2 +2(0)+4] + [(1)2 +2(1)+4] + [(2)2 +2(2)+4
= 4 + 7 + 12 + 19
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
3
∑(3i + 2)2
i=0
= [(3(0) + 2)2 ] + [(3(1) + 2)2 ] + [(3(2) + 2)2 ] + [(
= 4 + 25 + 64 + 121
3
In conclusion, only ∑(3i + 2)2 is equal to
i=0
4 + 25 + 64 + 121.
Some summa on expressions have variables other
than the index. Consider this sum:
4
k
∑ .
n=1
n+1
No ce that our index is n, not k . This means we
subs tute the values into n, and k remains
unknown:
3
k
∑
n=1
n+1
k k k
= + +
(1) + 1 (2) + 1 (3) + 1
k k k
= + +
2 3 4
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7/12/2019 Summation notation (also called sigma notation) (article) | Khan Academy
Key takeaway: Before evalua ng a sum in
summa on nota on, always make sure you
iden fied the index, and that you are only
subs tu ng into that index. Other unknowns
should remain as they are.
PROBLEM 4
4
∑ 8k − 6m = ?
m=1
Choose 1 answer:
A 8k − 6 + 8k − 12 + 8k − 18 + 8k − 24
B 2+4+6+8
C 8 − 6m + 16 − 6m + 24 − 6m + 32 − 6m
D 0+2+4+6
Check
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4
∑ 8k − 6m
m=1
= [8k − 6(1)] + [8k − 6(2)] + [8k − 6(3)] + [8k − 6(4
= 8k − 6 + 8k − 12 + 8k − 18 + 8k − 24
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