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algorithmmathsumseriesrecurrence

Summations - Closed Form - Where to Start


I am struggling to understand basics as it related to forming a closed form expression from a summation. I understand the goal at hand, but do not understand the process for which to follow in order to accomplish the goal.

Find a closed form for the sum k+2k+3k+...+K^2. Prove your claim

My first approach was to turn it into a recurrence relation, which did not work cleanly. After that I would attempt to turn from a recurrence relation into a closed form, but I am unsuccessful in getting there.

Does anyone know of a strong approach for solving such problems? Or any simplistic tutorials that can be provided? The material I find online does not help, and causes further confusion.

Thanks


Solution

  • No one gave the mathematical approach, so I am adding the mathematical approach to this AP problem.

    Given series is 1k + 2k + 3k + .... + k.k(OR k^2)

    Therefore, it means that there are altogether k terms together in the given series.

    Next, as here all the consecutive terms are greater than the previous term by a constant common difference,i.e., k.

    So, this is an Arithmetic Progression.

    Now, to calculate the general summation, the formula is given by :-

    S(n) = n/2{a(1)+a(n)}
    

    where,S(n) is the summation of series upto n terms

    n is the number of terms in the series,
    a(1) is the first term of the series, and
    a(n) is the last(n th) term of the series.

    Here,fitting the terms of the given series into the summation formula, we get :-

    S(n) = k/2{1k + k.k} = (k/2){k+k^2) = [(k^2)/2 + (k^3)/2]*.