MHB To write summation decreasing index

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the mathematical notation for summation with a decreasing index. The participants clarify that while the conventional summation notation $\sum^{n}_{k=1}x_k$ is standard for increasing indices, a decreasing index can be represented in several ways, such as $\sum^{1}_{k=n}x_k$ or $\sum_{k=n,...,1}x_k$. They emphasize that mathematically, both forms are equivalent, as the index $k$ iterates over an unordered set of elements. The alternative representation $\sum_{k=1}^n x_{n-k+1}$ is also provided as a valid approach.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of summation notation in mathematics.
  • Familiarity with indexing concepts in sequences.
  • Basic knowledge of mathematical notation and operations.
  • Experience with programming constructs for iterative summation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research mathematical notation for summation and its variations.
  • Explore programming languages that implement summation algorithms, such as Python or MATLAB.
  • Learn about unordered sets and their implications in mathematical operations.
  • Investigate the use of summation in algorithm design and analysis.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, computer scientists, and students studying algorithms or mathematical notation who are interested in understanding summation techniques and their applications in programming and analysis.

kaliprasad
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
1,333
Reaction score
0
how to write a summation with decreasing index

say for adding from index 1 to n for $x_k$ we write $\sum^{n}_{k=1}x_k$.

how do we write the above for index to go from n to 1 down wards
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mathematically they are identical, aren't they?
$k$ really iterates over a set of elements, which is unordered.
So there wouldn't be a separate mathematical notation for it.

Improvising, we might write:
$$\sum^{1}_{k=n}x_k$$
or:
$$\sum_{k=n,...,1}x_k$$
or:
$$\left|\begin{array}{}
s \leftarrow 0 \\
\text{for }k\leftarrow n \text{ downto } 1 \\
\quad s \leftarrow s + x_k \\
s
\end{array}\right.$$
 
You could also write:

$$\sum_{k=1}^n x_{n-k+1}$$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K