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Beeorz
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Homework Statement


Evaluate the sum:
[tex]\sum_{k=100}^{250} k^3[/tex]


Homework Equations


[tex]\sum_{j=1}^{N} j^3 = \frac{n^2(n+1)^2}{4}[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution


Little confused as how to integrate from 100 to 250. I have no examples to go off of and what I try is incorrect. But here's what I tried:
[tex]\sum_{k=1}^{250} k^3 - \sum_{k=1}^{100} k^3 = \sum_{k=100}^{250} k^3[/tex]

984390625-25502500=958888135 (incorrect)

Any suggestions? I'm sure this is relatively easy but I just haven't seen it before and thus don't know how to go about solving it. Thanks in advance!
 
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You know in sigma notation, [tex]\sum_{k= m}^{n} f(k)[/tex]

n is the ending value of k & m is the starting value of k. So;

Why can't you subtract the solutions of the definite integrals, [tex]\int^{250}_{100} x^3 dx[/tex] and [tex]\int^{100}_{1} x^3 dx[/tex] ?
 
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Beeorz, you're method will work out if you correct the bounds.
[tex] \sum_{k=1}^{100} k^3 = k_1^3 + k_2^3 + ... + k_99^3 + k_100^3[/tex]

If you subtract that from [tex]\sum_{k=1}^{250} k^3[/tex] , then you are left with

[tex] \sum_{k=101}^{250} k^3[/tex]

You should subtract [tex]\sum_{k=1}^{99} k^3[/tex] from the sum from 1 to 250 in order to get the answer.