Find Sum of Arithmetic Series Sn: Σ 200 r=5 5r-2

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the sum of an arithmetic series represented by the notation Σ from r=5 to 200 of the expression 5r-2. Participants are trying to clarify the correct interpretation of the summation and the calculation of its value.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the correct interpretation of the summation notation and whether the expression should be treated as a whole or in parts. There are questions about the accuracy of the calculated sum and the use of parentheses for clarity in mathematical notation.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants offering insights into the potential interpretations of the summation. Some have provided guidance on how to format the expression in LaTeX for better clarity. There is no explicit consensus yet on the intended meaning of the original expression.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the original poster's intent with the summation notation, and participants are awaiting further clarification. The discussion highlights the importance of clear mathematical communication, especially in the context of summation expressions.

Nubcake
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Find the sum of \Sigma 200 r=5 5r-2

Sn = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d ]I used S 200 and I got about 101400 but then when I verified on my calculator it was 100058, my calculator has the sigma notation for working out the sum of , how do you get 100058?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nubcake said:
Find the sum of \Sigma 200 r=5 5r-2

Sn = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d ]


I used S 200 and I got about 101400 but then when I verified on my calculator it was 100058, my calculator has the sigma notation for working out the sum of , how do you get 100058?

It's difficult to tell what your sum is. Is this it?

Edit: add parentheses for clarity.
$$ \sum_{r = 5}^{200} \left(5r - 2\right)$$

Writing this in LaTeX is not difficult. Click what I wrote to see how I did it.
 
Last edited:
Mark44 said:
It's difficult to tell what your sum is. Is this it?
$$ \sum_{r = 5}^{200} 5r - 2$$

Writing this in LaTeX is not difficult. Click what I wrote to see how I did it.

What you wrote coul be reasonably interpreted as
\left( \sum_{r=5}^{200} 5 r \right) -2; it might be that the OP wants
\sum_{r=5}^{200} (5 r - 2),
but who knows?

RGV
 
Ray Vickson said:
What you wrote coul be reasonably interpreted as
\left( \sum_{r=5}^{200} 5 r \right) -2; it might be that the OP wants
\sum_{r=5}^{200} (5 r - 2),
but who knows?
That's a good point. When I wrote that I was going by a sort of quasi-convention that the summation symbol acts like a giant left parenthesis, and there is an implied right paren to the right of the last symbol. If you want to indicate that something is not part of the sum you put parentheses into suit.

Since what I wrote could be interpreted in a couple of ways, I went back and put in some parentheses.

I wasn't sure what the OP intended, so now I guess we wait until he/she comes back to confirm that our guesses are correct.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K