How Can Nested Summation Functions Be Simplified or Reversed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification and reversal of nested summation functions, particularly in the context of mathematical notation and techniques. Participants explore examples of summation functions and express a desire for clearer methods to handle these expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a more straightforward method for running a summation function on another summation function, providing an example involving the expression 2*Sum[2x-1*-Sum[Divide[2x-1,2],{x,1,n}],{x,1,n}].
  • Another participant expresses a desire to reverse a summation function to find an unknown limit for a known resultant, using the example where the summation of 2x-1 equals 2704.
  • Several participants request clarification on notation and formatting, with one participant struggling to display their expressions correctly in LaTeX.
  • One participant explains the general form of summation and provides examples of summing sequences, including the sum of natural numbers and squares, but does not directly address the original questions about simplification.
  • There is confusion regarding the notation used in the examples, particularly the meaning of ##\sum x## and its limits.
  • A later reply discusses the polynomial nature of summation results and mentions the topic of "The Calculus of Finite Differences" as relevant to finding functions related to summations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the original questions, with some confusion about notation and the specific techniques for simplification. No consensus is reached on the best methods to simplify or reverse nested summation functions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include unclear notation, unresolved formatting issues in LaTeX, and a lack of consensus on the techniques for simplification or reversal of summation functions.

ReubenDS
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TL;DR
Summation of Summation method
Extracting value for n of a Summation
1. I have come across a few times I would like a more straightforward way to run a summation function on a summation function. I don't have the educational groundwork to know if there is another way to do this or a good technique to simplify these problems.
example:
2*Sum[2x-1*-Sum[Divide[2x-1,2],{x,1,n}],{x,1,n}]
Where 2* summation of all whole integers of the function (2x-1)*-summation of all whole integers of the function (2x-1)/2 where x=1 to n for both summations.

2. It has struck me from time to time that I would like to reverse a summation function to derive an unknown limit for a known resultant of the summation.
example:
(Sum[2x-1,{x,1,n}])=2704
Where the summation of all whole integers of the function 2x-1 for x=1 to n, equals 2704 what is the value of n?
 
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Example 1
2 \sum_{x=1}^n 2x-1- \sum{x=1}^n \frac {2x-1} 2

Example 2
\sum_{x=1}^n 2x-1 = 2704

**I do not care for the answers to these example problems
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ReubenDS said:
**I do not care for the answers to these example problems
What do you care for? I have difficulties understanding your question. Do you want to know how to read ##\sum_{k=1}^n a_k## or how to program a sum?
 
I've formatted it in Latex, and I can't explain why it doesn't display correctly.

The question is about proper notations I should be using or techniques to simplify down to my current notation.
 
If we want to sum up an expression, say ##f(k)## that depends on a natural number ##k## from some lower value ##L## of ##k## to some upper value ##U## of ##k##. That is
$$
f(L)+f(L+1)+f(L+2)+\ldots+f(U-2)+f(U-1)+f(U)=\sum_{k=L}^U f(k)
$$
For example ##1+2+3+\ldots+n=\displaystyle{\sum_{k=1}^n k} =\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2}## or
$$
9+16+25+\ldots+n^2=\sum_{k=3}^n k^2=\left(\sum_{k=1}^n k^2\right)-4-1=\dfrac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}-5
$$
 
ReubenDS said:
Example 1
2 \sum_{x=1}^n 2x-1- \sum{x=1}^n \frac {2x-1} 2
What does the notation ##\sum x ## mean in this context? What are the limits on that summation?

ReubenDS said:
Example 2
\sum_{x=1}^n 2x-1 = 2704
I'll assume you are asking about the result of ##\sum_{x=1}^n P(x) ## where ##P(x)## is a polynomial in ##x## (such as P(x) = 2x -1 ). Such a sum can be expressed as ##Q(n)## where ##Q(n)## is a polynomial in ##n##. Apparently you are asking about solving ##Q(n) = c## where ##c## is a specified value. That's the problem of solving for the root(s) of polynomial ##Q(n) - c##.

Finding the function ##Q(n)## is covered in the mathematical topic of "The Calculus of Finite Differences".

The topic of finding the roots of polynomials is covered in elementary and advanced courses on algebra.
 

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