The discussion focuses on deriving a formula for the partial sum of the series n^2 from 1 to k, which is expressed as k(k+1)(2k+1)/6. The derivation involves manipulating the sum of cubes and applying algebraic identities to isolate the sum of squares. The final formula is confirmed through a series of transformations that simplify the expression. This formula provides an efficient way to calculate the sum of squares for any integer k. Understanding this derivation is essential for those studying series and summation in mathematics.