Understanding U_n: An Explanation of the Concept

[synkk]

Could anyone explain what is meant by $$U_n$$

 

[micromass]

It are just numbers. That is, $U_1,...,U_n$ are just numbers. You need to figure out which numbers they are.

 

[oli4]

Hi synkk
The wording is probably confusing you.
First, did you do (a) ? do it if you didn't

Then, as micromass told you, Un is just a number, well, in this case, you are dealing with a sequence of numbers, U1, ... Un
You have a generic formula for their sum, which is a function of n, being the result of summing the n elements U1,...Un
so, if you subtract the sum of all the elements, U1,...Un-1, what are you left with ?
Hope this helps so that you continue alone

Cheers...

 

[HallsofIvy]

Another way of looking at (a): if you were told that f(n)= n^2+ 4n, how would you find f(n-1)?

Then (b), what is f(n)- f(n-1)?