Can Sigma Notation Solve This Complex Series?

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to express a complex series using sigma notation, specifically the series 5 + 5 + 5/2 + 5/6 + 5/24 + ... The subject area involves series and sequences, particularly focusing on the use of sigma notation for representation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the denominators in the series, noting a potential connection to factorials. There are questions about the original poster's understanding of factorials and their definitions, particularly regarding 0!.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and exploring the relationship between the series terms and factorials. There is a focus on clarifying definitions and assumptions related to factorials, but no consensus or resolution has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of the series, with some expressing uncertainty about how to approach the problem given the non-standard nature of the series terms. The original poster has indicated a lack of familiarity with the necessary concepts to proceed.

kevinater2007
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must express this series using sigma notation

5+5+5/2+5/6+5/24+...

i would be extremely grateful for some help

I know that you use the infinite symbol and it goes above sigma and then n=1 below it.
i also have used the arithmetic series equations and geometric equations on several other problems but i don't know where to start when the equation doesn't consist of one of these two and when the ratio isn't a constant additive, divisor, subtractor, or multiplicative
 
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Look at the numbers in the denominators. Do they remind you of something: 1,1,2,6,24,...? (No, it's not the Fibonacci series!) Pay attention to how one number is related to the subsequent one.
 
As neutrino mentioned the denominator is interesting. Also just a note 0!=1 = 1!. This is the usuall definition.

[This hint I think really gives the answer away]
 
Do you know what a factoral is?
 
Feldoh said:
Do you know what a factoral is?

Who are you referring too? I was reading this and made me wonder maby I was thinking wrong? I know what's a factorial and in my classes usually 0! is defined to be 1. Which was shown using the binomial theorum as I remember.
 

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