What is the Meaning of the Formula for Bread Pudding?

[joeyjo100]

What does the formula in this blog post mean? What is it called and where can i read more about it?

http://www.askamathematician.com/?p=1284

 

[Mentallic]

It's a sum. For example, $$\sum_{k=1}^{n}k=1+2+3+...+n$$

Basically all you do is substitute the first term (shown at the bottom of the summation symbol Sigma) for k into all places where you see k, then you substitute the next integer for all k in the expression and take the sum of them. Do this all the way to infinite, and your final answer will be 1.

 

[lurflurf]

Do you mean
$$\cos(2\pi)=\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{(2\pi)^{2k}}{(2k)!}(-1)^k$$
That is the Maclaurin series for cosine. It is in any calculus book. The general case is
$$f(x)=\sum_{k=0}^\infty \frac{x^k}{k!}f^{(k)}(0)$$

 

[HallsofIvy]

lurf lurf is right. The given formula is the MacLaurin series for cos(x), evaluated at $x= 2\pi$. And, of course, $cos(2\pi)= 1$.

 

[Alan1000]

What does the formula in this blog post mean? What is it called and where can i read more about it?

http://www.askamathematician.com/?p=1284

ey up lad, it's a recipe for bread pudding! doesn't tha know?

 

[HallsofIvy]

ey up lad, it's a recipe for bread pudding! doesn't tha know?

Finally, someone giving April first the respect it deserves!