Summation of product identities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding an identity that relates the sum $$\sum_{k=0}^{n}a_kb_k$$ to separate sums involving only the terms $$a_k$$ and $$b_k$$ individually. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of vector interpretations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a general identity that separates the sums of products of two sequences, $$a_k$$ and $$b_k$$.
  • Another participant suggests that the sum can be interpreted as the inner product of two vectors, implying a connection to vector mathematics.
  • A participant questions the applicability of vector concepts, specifically the meaning of the angle $$\theta$$ in this context.
  • It is noted that there is no general formula to express the sum as a combination of functions that depend solely on the sequences $$a_k$$ and $$b_k$$.
  • Another participant provides a formula for the cosine of the angle between the vectors formed by the sequences, but expresses uncertainty about the existence of a general formula for the original query.
  • Participants confirm the expressions for the magnitudes of the vectors formed by the sequences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of vector interpretations to the sequences $$a_k$$ and $$b_k$$. There is no consensus on the existence of a general identity that separates the sums.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the limitations in finding a general formula and the dependence on interpretations of the sequences as vectors.

eddybob123
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Hi everybody, I am just trying to find a decent identity that relates the sum $$\sum_{k=0}^{n}a_kb_k$$ to another sum such that ##a_k## and ##b_k## aren't together in the same one. If you don't know what I mean, feel free to ask. If you have an answer, please post it. Thanks in advance!
 
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hi eddybob123! :smile:

that's just a·b, the inner product (dot product) of two (n+1)-dimensional vectors a and b :wink:
 
But the a's and the b's aren't vectors, so what is the value of the ''##\cos\theta##"?
 
You can always interpret a and b as vectors.

There is no general formula to express this as the combination of two things, where one thing just depends on all a and the other thing just depends on all b.

In formulas, there are no (general) functions f,g,h to do this:
F=f(a0,a1,...,an)
G=g(b0,b1,...,bn)
h(F,G)=your result
 
eddybob123 said:
But the a's and the b's aren't vectors, so what is the value of the ''##\cos\theta##"?
The individual a's and b's might not be vectors, but we can think of them as components.

$$\sum_{k=0}^{n}a_{k}b_{k} = \begin{bmatrix} a_0 & a_1 & a_2 & \cdots \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} b_0 \\ b_1 \\ b_2 \\ \vdots \end{bmatrix} = \langle \vec{a},\vec{b} \rangle $$

How do we find the cosine of theta, you ask? $$\cos\theta = \frac{\displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^{n}a_{k}b_{k}}{(\sqrt{a_0^2 + a_1^2 + ...})(\sqrt{b_0^2 + b_1^2 + b_2^2 + ...})}$$
:biggrin:

To be completely serious, I am not aware of the kind of general formula you are looking for.
 
And the magnitudes of the two vectors will be $$\sqrt{a_0{}^2+a_1{}^2+...+a_n{}^2}$$ and $$\sqrt{b_0{}^2+b_1{}^2+...+b_n{}^2}$$Is this right?
 
yes :smile:
 

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