- #1
Expanded Form of Sigma Notation Problem
- Thread starter phillyolly
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- Notation Sigma Sigma notation
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around expressing a sum in expanded form using sigma notation. Participants are exploring the concept of expansion and the requirements for presenting the sum, particularly in the context of a homework problem with limited information.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants express uncertainty about how to begin the expansion and whether expanded form simply means writing out the terms. Some discuss previous experiences with similar problems and question the lack of additional information provided in the problem statement.
Discussion Status
There is an ongoing exploration of how to approach the problem, with some participants suggesting writing out the first few terms followed by ellipses. Others express concern about the appropriateness of using ellipses and emphasize the need for clarity in the expansion. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and attempts to clarify the requirements.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that the problem lacks specific definitions for variables such as f(x) and delta-x, which may impact their understanding and approach to the expansion. There is also mention of different methods of submission for the answer, which could influence how they present their work.
- #2
berkeman
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phillyolly said:
Is expanded form just writing it out?
- #3
phillyolly
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Previous ones, I solved them by expansion and getting a number as an answer.
This one, I think maybe just expansion?...
This one, I think maybe just expansion?...
- #4
berkeman
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Can you post an example of a previous one where you were able to solve for a numerical answer? And is there any more information about this problem? Any definition of f(x), or delta-x?
- #5
- #6
berkeman
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phillyolly said:
Hmm. Maybe others can see something we're missing, but I'd just write it out as a sum, showing the first few terms, then some ellipses, then the nth term. Do you submit the answer to an automated checking probram online, or send it to a human for checking? If it's an automated checker, you'd need to figure out how many terms before the ellipses it expects...
- #7
phillyolly
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berkeman said:
My instructor will check the answer...I don't think I should use ellipses in the answer. Just expansion. I have no idea what to start with.
- #8
Mark44
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This means to write the terms in the sum: f(x1)[itex]\Delta x_1[/itex] + f(x2)[itex]\Delta x_2[/itex] + and so on. Since n is not given, the usual practice is to write a few terms, then + ... + <last term>.phillyolly said:
- #9
Mark44
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Since you don't know n, you have to use an ellipsis in your answer.phillyolly said:
- #10
phillyolly
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Mark44 said:
Oh, I see now, thank you all a lot. You are right, I will use ellipsis.
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