Quickest way to calculate a given summation

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for calculating a specific summation quickly. Participants explore various approaches, including arithmetic sums and more complex mathematical expressions, with a focus on efficiency and different techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the formula for an arithmetic sum, providing a specific calculation method.
  • Another participant references Gauss's pairing technique for summation, illustrating it with a detailed example.
  • Several participants present complex mathematical expressions involving sums and sequences, including Fibonacci, Lucas, and Catalan sequences.
  • There is a correction regarding a term in one of the mathematical expressions, with a participant indicating a potential sign error.
  • Another participant agrees with the correction and acknowledges confusion in their calculations.
  • One participant expresses a preference for the method proposed by Gauss as the best answer to the original question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing methods for calculating the summation, with no consensus on a single quickest approach. Some favor Gauss's method, while others propose more complex formulas involving series and sequences.

Contextual Notes

Some mathematical expressions presented may depend on specific definitions or assumptions that are not fully clarified in the discussion. The complexity of the terms involved may lead to varying interpretations of the summation process.

physsure
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
How would you, personally, do this summation the quickest way?

d6d4228ce7ddccd587ae0bd0133597cf7d26a8a2
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
It is an arithmetic sum: ## S=(a+l)(\frac{n}{2})=(1+100)(100/2) ##.
 
physsure said:
How would you, personally, do this summation the quickest way?

d6d4228ce7ddccd587ae0bd0133597cf7d26a8a2
You can use the idea by Gauss ( when he was 8 years or so) . Pair up:
1) 1+100=101
2) 2+99=101
...
...
50)50+51=101
There are 50 copies of 101 , for a total of 50(101)=5050.
WWGD: What would Gauss do? Probably same he did back then
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
physsure said:
How would you, personally, do this summation the quickest way?

d6d4228ce7ddccd587ae0bd0133597cf7d26a8a2

$$50 \,\pi + \dfrac{25\cdot 67 \cdot 101}{\pi} - \dfrac{1}{2\pi}\sum_{k=1}^{100} (\pi-k)^2$$
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
fresh_42 said:
$$50 \,\pi + \dfrac{25\cdot 67 \cdot 101}{\pi} + \dfrac{1}{2\pi}\sum_{k=1}^{100} (\pi-k)^2$$
@fresh_42 I believe your 3rd term needs a minus in front of it. ## \\ ## Note: ## \sum\limits_{k=1}^{n} k^2=\frac{(2n+1)(n+1)(n)}{6} ## is the most difficult term to evaluate in the above. The rest is relatively straightforward.
 
Charles Link said:
@fresh_42 I believe your 3rd term needs a minus in front of it. ## \\ ## Note: ## \sum\limits_{k=1}^{n} k^2=\frac{(2n+1)(n+1)(n)}{6} ## is the most difficult term to evaluate in the above. The rest is relatively straightforward.
Yep, thanks. Lost while turning pages in my scribble book.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
Charles Link said:
The rest is relatively straightforward.
How about:
$$
\dfrac{\sqrt{5}^9\cdot 101}{2\,\pi^2} \cdot \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left( \dfrac{1}{n} \right)^2\cdot \dfrac{1}{n+1}\cdot \dfrac{F_n\cdot L_n}{C_n}
$$
with the Fibonacci sequence ##F_n##, the Lucas sequence ##L_n##, and the Catalan sequence ##C_n##.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Charles Link
fresh_42 said:
How about:
$$
\dfrac{\sqrt{5}^9\cdot 101}{2\,\pi^2} \cdot \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left( \dfrac{1}{n} \right)^2\cdot \dfrac{1}{n+1}\cdot \dfrac{F_n\cdot L_n}{C_n}
$$
with the Fibonacci sequence ##F_n##, the Lucas sequence ##L_n##, and the Catalan sequence ##C_n##.
I do think @WWGD probably had the best answer for the OP in post 3.:wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: WWGD

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
4K