Summation Notation

Definition

Summation notation, also known as the sigma notation, is a concise way to represent the sum of a series of terms or values. It is a mathematical symbol that allows for the efficient expression of sums, particularly in the context of sequences and series.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Summation notation uses the symbol $\sum$ (sigma) to represent the sum of a series of terms.
2. The index variable, typically denoted by a subscript, is used to indicate the position of each term in the sequence or series.
3. The lower and upper limits of the summation notation define the range of the index variable, specifying the first and last terms to be included in the sum.
4. Summation notation is particularly useful when dealing with infinite series, as it provides a concise way to represent the sum of an infinite number of terms.
5. Summation notation is a powerful tool in the study of sequences and series, as it allows for the efficient manipulation and analysis of mathematical expressions.

Review Questions

• Explain how summation notation is used to represent the sum of a finite sequence.
  • In the context of a finite sequence, summation notation is used to represent the sum of the terms in the sequence. The summation symbol $\sum$ is followed by the index variable, which typically starts at a lower limit and goes up to an upper limit. For example, $\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i$ would represent the sum of the terms $a_1, a_2, a_3, \ldots, a_n$, where $i$ is the index variable that takes on values from 1 to $n$. This provides a concise way to express the sum of a finite number of terms in a sequence.
• Describe how summation notation can be used to represent the sum of an infinite series.
  • Summation notation is also useful for representing the sum of an infinite series, where the number of terms is not finite. In this case, the index variable typically starts at a lower limit and continues to infinity. For example, $\sum_{i=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{i^2}$ represents the sum of the terms $\frac{1}{1^2}, \frac{1}{2^2}, \frac{1}{3^2}, \ldots$ to infinity. This notation allows for the efficient expression and analysis of infinite series, which are important in various areas of mathematics, such as calculus and numerical analysis.
• Analyze how summation notation can be used to represent the partial sums of a sequence, and explain the relationship between partial sums and the corresponding series.
  • Summation notation can be used to represent the partial sums of a sequence, which are the sums of the first $n$ terms of the sequence. The partial sum of a sequence $\{a_n\}$ up to the $n$-th term can be expressed using summation notation as $\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i$. This partial sum represents the accumulation of the first $n$ terms in the sequence. As the value of $n$ increases, the partial sum approaches the sum of the entire series, which is the limit of the partial sums as $n$ approaches infinity. The relationship between partial sums and the corresponding series is crucial in the study of sequences and series, as it allows for the analysis of the convergence or divergence of the series.

Related terms

Sequence: A sequence is an ordered list of elements, often numbers, that follow a specific pattern or rule.

Series: A series is the sum of the terms in a sequence, where each term is added to the previous terms.

Index Variable: The index variable, often represented by a subscript, is used to indicate the position of a term within a sequence or series.