Find closed form expression for a given sum

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a closed form expression for the sum $$\sum_{k=1}^{n^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}$$. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of potential solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive a closed form expression for the given sum, with multiple contributions suggesting different approaches.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for a previously shared solution and indicates a desire to present a similar, yet distinct, solution.
  • Another participant acknowledges a mistake in their solution that was not previously noticed, suggesting a need for further clarification or correction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There appears to be no consensus on the closed form expression, as participants are sharing different solutions and acknowledging errors in their approaches.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions and definitions related to the sum may not be fully explored, and there are unresolved mathematical steps in the proposed solutions.

anemone
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Find a closed form expression for $$\sum_{k=1}^{n^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}$$.
 
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anemone said:
Find a closed form expression for $$\sum_{k=1}^{n^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}$$.

each term = $(n- \lfloor \sqrt{k-1}\rfloor)(\sqrt{k+1}-\sqrt{k})$

if we take k fron $m^2+1$ to $(m+1)^2$ that is (2m+1) terms we get

$(n- m)(\sqrt{k+1}-\sqrt{k})$

summing from $m^2+1$ to $(m+1)^2$ we get (n-m)



now we need to add (n-m) with m from 1 to n to get the sum as n^2 - n(n+1)/2 = n(n-1)/2
 
Thank you kaliprasad for your clever solution and sorry for the late reply...:(

I will share with you the quite similar but not completely the same solution with you and MHB:

Note that

$\begin{align*}\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{n^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{n-(m-1)}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\sqrt{k}-\sqrt{k+1}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)(m-(m-1))\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\\&=n(n+1)-\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2}\\&=\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2}\end{align*}$
 
anemone said:
Thank you kaliprasad for your clever solution and sorry for the late reply...:(

I will share with you the quite similar but not completely the same solution with you and MHB:

Note that

$\begin{align*}\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{n^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{n-\lfloor\sqrt{k-1}\rfloor}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{n-(m-1)}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{k}+\sqrt{k+1}}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\sum_{k=(m-1)^2+1}^{m^2}\sqrt{k}-\sqrt{k+1}\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)(m-(m-1))\\&=\sum_{m=1}^{n}(n-m+1)\\&=n(n+1)-\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2}\\&=\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2}\end{align*}$

Hello Anemone,
Thanks

However In my solution there is a mistake you did not notice

I forgot to add the last value that is n to give n(n+1)/2
 
Last edited:

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