Evaluating the Svein-Graham Sum

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of the Svein-Graham sum, represented as \(\sum_{i=0}^k x\uparrow\uparrow i\). A user implements a Mathematica function, sg[x, k], to compute this sum and generate plots for \(x\) values ranging from 1 to 2 and \(k\) values from 1 to 5. The user expresses a desire for a simpler analytical formula akin to the arithmetic series formula \(\sum_{i=1}^n i = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}\) and speculates on potential connections to Bernoulli numbers.

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  • Understanding of hyperoperations, specifically the notation \(x\uparrow\uparrow i\).
  • Familiarity with Mathematica programming and its syntax.
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical series and summation techniques.
  • Awareness of Bernoulli numbers and their applications in number theory.
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  • Explore advanced hyperoperation concepts and their implications in mathematical series.
  • Learn more about Mathematica's plotting capabilities and functional programming features.
  • Research Bernoulli numbers and their relationships to summation formulas.
  • Investigate other mathematical series and their closed-form expressions for comparison.
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Mathematicians, computer scientists, and educators interested in advanced summation techniques, hyperoperations, and Mathematica programming for mathematical analysis.

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Good evening dearest physicians and mathematicians,

I recently came across the so-called "Svein-Graham sum", and i wondered: is it possible to find a simple formula for evaluating it?
[itex]\sum_{i=0}^k x\uparrow\uparrow i = \left .1+x+x^x+x^{x^x}+ ... +x^{x^{x^{x^{.^{.^{.^x}}}}}}\right \}k[/itex]
 
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Hi, I use Mathematica to define a function sg[x,k] to calculate the Svein-Graham sum and plot some figures for ##x \in [1,2]## with ##k## varies from 1 to 5.
Code:
sg[x_, k_] := Module[{f},
  f[y_] := #^y &;
  (FoldList[f[x], x, Range[k - 1]] // Total) + 1]
Plot[sg[x, #], {x, 1, 2}] & /@ Range[1, 5]
 
Last edited:
Quantioner said:
Hi, I use Mathematica to define a function sg[x,k] to calculate the Svein-Graham sum and plot some figures for ##x \in [1,2]## with ##k## varies from 1 to 5.
Code:
sg[x_, k_] := Module[{f},
  f[y_] := #^y &;
  (FoldList[f[x], x, Range[k - 1]] // Total) + 1]
Plot[sg[x, #], {x, 1, 2}] & /@ Range[1, 5]
I was looking for a more analytic expression like [itex]\sum_{i=1}^n i = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}[/itex]. Maybe it's possible to find yet another connection to the Bernoulli numbers? But thank you nevertheless!
 

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