are 1.

20 Lesson: Summation notation

g an
upported NOTE: The content in Unit 1, and in this speci5c lesson, is foundational for buildin
wser. remainder of this learning resource, Units 2 through 5. However, since it is basica
se see
not be directly assessed on your high-stakes exam.
ems
irements Lesson introduction
e
a list A couple decides to start a college fund for their daughter, and plans to invest $50$
interest, compounded monthly. How much money will the couple have saved when
pported lesson will cover how to answer this question. To do so, considering the amount of
wsers. necessary.

Using summation notation

The amounts deposited each month and the amounts earned monthly should be ad
fund and the sum of the amounts deposited. The sum of the terms of a sequence is

3 + 7 + 11 + 15 + 19 +

3 + 7 + 11 + 15 + 19 + …

The nth nth partial sum of a sequence is the sum of a =nite number of consecutive t
represents the partial sum.

S1 = 3
S2 = 3 + 7 = 10
S3 = 3 + 7 + 11 = 21
S4 = 3 + 7 + 11 + 15 =

S1 = 3
S 2 = 3 + 7 = 10
S 3 = 3 + 7 + 11 = 21
S 4 = 3 + 7 + 11 + 15 = 26

Summation notation is used to represent series, and is often known as sigma notati
∑ ∑ to represent the sum. Summation notation includes an explicit formula and sp
formula for each term of the series is given to the right of sigma. A variable called th
index of summation is set equal to the lower limit of summation, the number used t
above sigma is called the upper limit of summation, the number used to generate th

Summation notation

The given notation above asks to =nd the sum of the terms in the sequence ak =2
substituting the terms for kk and listing out the terms of this series.

a1 = 2(1) = 2
a2 = 2(2) = 4
a3 = 2(3) = 6
a4 = 2(4) = 8
a5 = 2(5) = 10

a 1 = 2(1) = 2
a 2 = 2(2) = 4
a 3 = 2(3) = 6
a 4 = 2(4) = 8
a 5 = 2(5) = 10

The sum of the series can be found by adding the terms:

∑ 2k = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10
k=1

5
∑ 2k = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 = 3
k=1

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.20.1: Evaluating a summation.

1 2 2x speed
 4 4
= (1221 + 1) += (+(2222 ++1)1)+
( (2+3+231
(k 2 + 1) ∑ (k + 1)
∑ k=
= 1 2 + 5 + 10 + 17 = 2 + 5
k=1

= 34 = 34

Each value of k k from the lower limit to th

substituted into the formula for the k kth ter

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.20.2: Understanding summation notation.

1) The lower limit of the summation

is always 1 1. Correct
The lower limit of summ
True
integer, but 1 1 is frequen
False technically be negative, t
domains of sequences w

2) 4 4
2 2 2 2 2
∑ i = 1 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 3 ⋅ 4 ∑ i2 = 12 ⋅ 22 ⋅ 32 ⋅ 42 Correc
i=1 i=1
∑
The
True 2
i from
4
False
i2
∑
i=1
.

How to

Given summation notation for a series, evaluate the value.

1. Identify the lower limit of summation.

2. Identify the upper limit of summation.
3. Substitute each value of kk from the lower limit to th
4. Add to =nd the sum.
Using summation notation
7 7
2
∑ ∑
Evaluate k k 2.
k=3 k=3

Solution

The lower limit of summation is 3 3 and the upper limit is 7 7. T

from k = 3k = 3 to k = 7k = 7 by substituting k = 3, 4, 5,
into the function k 2 k 2. Add the terms to 8nd the sum.

7
2 2 2 2 2
∑ k = 3 + 4 + 5 + 6
k=3
= 9 + 16 + 25 + 36
= 135

7
∑ k2 = 32 + 42 + 52 + 62 + 7
k=3
= 9 + 16 + 25 + 36 + 4
= 135

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.20.3: Evaluating a summation.

Evaluate the following expressions involving the summation not

1) 4 4

∑ 4k ∑ 4k
Correct
k=1 k=1
40

∑
4k = 4(1) + 4(2) +
Check Show answer
k=1
4

∑ 4k = 4(1) + 4(2) + 4(3

k=1
2) 2 2
2
∑(k + 1) ∑ (k + 1) 2 Correct
k=0 k=0
14

2
(k + 1)2 = (0 + 1)
Check Show answer ∑
k=0
2

∑ (k + 1) 2 = (0 + 1) 2 + (
k=0

3) 5 5
(a + 1)(a + 2) (a + 1)(a + 2)
∑ ∑ Correct
a=3
2 a=3 2
46

Check Show answer 5

(a + 1)(a +
∑ 2
a=3

5
(a + 1)(a + 2)
∑ 2
=
a=3
=
 4) 4 4
1 1
∑ k − 5 k=2k − 5
∑ Correct
k=2 -11/6

4
1 1
∑ k−5
Check Show answer =
k=2
2−5
1
=− −
3
11
=−
6

4
1
∑k−5 =
k=2

Lesson exercises

Algebraic

For the following exercises, express each description of a sum using summation no

Exercise 1.20.1

(a) The sum of terms m2 + 3m m 2 + 3m from m = 1 m = 1 to

Solution !
5 5
2
∑(m + 3m) ∑ (m 2 + 3m)
m=1 m=1
 Exercise 1.20.2

(a) The sum from of n = 0n = 0 to n = 4n = 4 of 5n5n

Solution !
4 4

∑ 5n n∑ 5n
n=0 =0

Exercise 1.20.3

(a) The sum of 6k − 56k − 5 from k = −2 k = − 2 to k = 1k

Solution !
1 1

∑ (6k − 5) k∑ (6k − 5)
k=−2 = −2

For the following exercises, express each arithmetic sum using summation notation

Exercise 1.20.4

(a) 5 + 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + 40 + 45 + 50
Solution !
5 + 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 + 30 + 35 + 40 + 45 + 50
 Exercise 1.20.5

(a) 10 + 18 + 26 + … + 162 10 + 18 + 26 + … + 162

Solution !
10 + 18 + 26 + … + 162 = (8 ⋅ 1 + 2) + (8 ⋅ 2 +

8n + 2 = 162
8n = 160
n = 20

20 20

∑ 8k + 2k∑ 8k + 2
k=1 =1

Exercise 1.20.6

1 3 1 3
(a)
2 +1+ 2 + 2 + … + 42 + 1 + 2 + 2 + … + 4
Solution !
1 3 1 1 1
+1+ +2+…+4= ⋅1+ ⋅2+ ⋅3
2 2 2 2 2
8 8
1 1
∑ 2 k=12k
k ∑
k=1

Lesson summary

Before moving on, take a last moment to think about what you've learned in this less

All summations have an upper and lower limit. These tell you where a summa
Summations are just a way of writing a long sum in short-hand. Interpreting th
and calculate a summation.

Loading...