alice22
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Use English to explain what this is showing.
Also prove it!
This discussion revolves around a mathematical problem related to proving a specific solution involving sums and powers of ten. Participants explore the implications of the mathematical expressions and seek to clarify the underlying patterns and relationships, particularly for small values of n.
Participants appear to share an interest in exploring the mathematical patterns and relationships, but there is no consensus on a definitive proof or explanation of the problem. Multiple viewpoints and approaches are presented without resolution.
The discussion includes various mathematical expressions and assumptions that may not be fully defined or resolved, particularly regarding the implications of the sums and their relationships to the squared results.
alice22 said:![]()
Use English to explain what this is showing.
Also prove it!
alice22 said:![]()
Use English to explain what this is showing.
Also prove it!
HallsofIvy said:The simplest thing to do is to look at what it says for some small n- say n= 3.
\left(\sum_{i=0}^{3-1}10^i\right)^2= \left(10^0+ 10^1+ 10^2\right)^2= (1+ 10+ 100)^2= 111^2.
\sum_{i=1}^n i10^{i-1}= 1(10^0)+ 2(10^1)+ 3(10^2)= 321
\sum_{i=1}^{n-1} i10^{2n-i-1}= 1(10^4}+ 2(10^3)= 1200
It's easy to calculate that 111^2= 12321= 1200+ 321.
11^2= 121, 111^3= 12321, 1111^2= 1234321 , etc.
Do you see the pattern?
\sum_{i=1}^{n-1} i10^{2n-i-1}
is the first part- the 1234... Do you see how it is counting "down" because of the 10^{2n-i-1}?
\sum_{i=1}^n i10^{i-1}
is the last part: 321