Homework Help: Sum of Series help

1. Jun 20, 2012

Luke77

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
What is the sum of Ʃ 1.2476n^.2476 from n=1 to 35.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
It isn't an arithmetic, geometric, or a p-series. I have tried using L'hopital's rule and using partial fractions. Where am I going wrong?

2. Jun 20, 2012

Staff: Mentor

True enough.
Why would you think that L'Hopital's rule or partial fractions are applicable here?

This is a finite series, so the problem boils down to adding 35 numbers, 1.2476 + 2.2476 + 3.2476 + ... + 35.2476, and then multiplying that sum by 1.2476.

Seems like kind of a pointless problem to me, unless there is some technique that can be used to simplify things. Nothing comes to mind, though.

3. Jun 20, 2012

Ray Vickson

I doubt that there is any nice closed-form expression for the sum. What is stopping you from evaluating the sum numerically (using a spreadsheet or a package such as Wolfram Alpha)?

RGV

4. Jun 20, 2012

Luke77

I guess I was too lazy, and I really want to have all sum formulas at my access.