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Sigma notation manipulation

Learning goals

  • Interprets index, bounds, and summand in sigma notation.
  • Expands a finite sigma expression into terms.
  • Writes repeated sums compactly in sigma notation.
  • Uses linearity and index shifts when appropriate.

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Sigma notation manipulation 1
Expand \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(3k-2)\) as an ordinary sum, and then evaluate it.

Hints

- The lower and upper bounds tell you which integer values of \(k\) to use. - Evaluate the summand separately for each allowed index before adding.

Solution

Substitute \(k=1,2,3,4,5\) into \(3k-2\): \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(3k-2)=1+4+7+10+13=35\).

Answer

\(1+4+7+10+13=35\).
Sigma notation manipulation 2
Write \(5+9+13+17+21+25\) in sigma notation using index \(k\), lower bound \(1\), and a linear summand of the form \(ak+b\).

Hints

- Use the constant difference between consecutive terms to determine the coefficient of \(k\). - Check the proposed summand at the required starting index \(k=1\). - Match the number of displayed terms to the upper bound.

Solution

The terms increase by \(4\), so the coefficient of \(k\) is \(4\). To make the first term equal to \(5\) when \(k=1\), use \(4k+1\). There are \(6\) terms, so the sum is \(\sum_{k=1}^{6}(4k+1)\).

Answer

\(\sum_{k=1}^{6}(4k+1)\).
Sigma notation manipulation 3
Antonia says that \(\sum_{k=4}^{8}(2k+1)\) has \(8\) terms because its upper bound is \(8\). Correct the statement by listing the index values used in the sum and stating the actual number of terms. Do not evaluate the sum.

Hints

- Read both the lower and upper bounds of the sigma notation. - Write the allowed integer index values in order before counting them. - The upper bound is an ending index, not automatically the number of terms.

Solution

1. The index starts at \(4\) and increases by \(1\) through \(8\). 2. The index values are \(4,5,6,7,8\). 3. Therefore the sigma expression contains \(5\) terms, not \(8\).

Answer

The index values are \(4,5,6,7,8\), so the sum contains \(5\) terms.
Sigma notation manipulation 4
In \(\sum_{j=2}^{5}(j+1)\): a) Name the index, lower bound, upper bound, and expression being added. b) Write the sum without sigma notation and evaluate it.

Hints

- Identify which letter changes from one added term to the next. - The numbers below and above the sigma symbol tell you where that changing index starts and stops.

Solution

1. The index is \(j\), the lower bound is \(2\), the upper bound is \(5\), and the summand is \(j+1\). 2. Substitute each integer from \(2\) through \(5\): \(3+4+5+6=18\).

Answer

a) Index: \(j\); lower bound: \(2\); upper bound: \(5\); summand: \(j+1\). b) \(3+4+5+6=18\).
Sigma notation manipulation 5
Evaluate \(\sum_{k=7}^{7}(2k-1)\). How many terms are added when the lower and upper bounds are the same?

Hints

- List the whole-number index values allowed by the bounds. - Does the index move to another value before the sum ends?

Solution

1. The only allowed index is \(k=7\), so the sum has one term. 2. Substituting gives \(2\cdot7-1=13\).

Answer

\(13\); exactly one term is added.
Sigma notation manipulation 6
Find \(\sum_{m=3}^{6}5\). A student says the answer is \(30\) because the upper bound is \(6\). Explain the mistake.

Hints

- Write all the index values from the lower bound to the upper bound. - Count how many times the constant is added.

Solution

1. The index takes the values \(3,4,5,6\), so there are four terms. 2. The summand is always \(5\), giving \(5+5+5+5=20\). 3. The upper bound is the last index, not the number of terms.

Answer

The sum is \(20\). There are \(4\) terms, not \(6\).
Sigma notation manipulation 7
Without expanding all the terms, use sigma-notation rules to rewrite \(\sum_{k=1}^{6}(4k-3)+2\sum_{k=1}^{6}(k+5)\) as one sigma expression. Then evaluate the sum.

Hints

- The matching bounds allow the two sums to be combined term by term. - Keep track of the factor outside the second sigma expression when combining summands. - After simplifying to one linear summand, use the sum of the first six positive integers.

Solution

1. The two sums have the same bounds, so combine their summands while keeping the factor \(2\): \(\sum_{k=1}^{6}[(4k-3)+2(k+5)]\). 2. Simplify the summand: \((4k-3)+2(k+5)=6k+7\). Thus the expression is \(\sum_{k=1}^{6}(6k+7)\). 3. Evaluate: \(6\sum_{k=1}^{6}k+\sum_{k=1}^{6}7=6\cdot21+7\cdot6=168\).

Answer

\(\sum_{k=1}^{6}(6k+7)=168\).
Sigma notation manipulation 8
Combine the expression \(\sum_{k=1}^{7}(2k^2+1)-\sum_{k=1}^{7}(k^2-4k+3)\) into a single sigma expression with the same bounds. Then simplify its summand.

Hints

- Matching indices and bounds allow term-by-term combination. - Apply the subtraction sign to every term in the second summand before collecting like terms.

Solution

Because the sums have the same index and bounds, subtract their summands: \(\sum_{k=1}^{7}[(2k^2+1)-(k^2-4k+3)]\). Simplifying inside the brackets gives \(2k^2+1-k^2+4k-3=k^2+4k-2\). Therefore the combined expression is \(\sum_{k=1}^{7}(k^2+4k-2)\).

Answer

\(\sum_{k=1}^{7}(k^2+4k-2)\).
Sigma notation manipulation 9
Reindex \(\sum_{k=0}^{4}(2k+1)\) so that the new index is \(j\) and the lower bound is \(1\). The reindexed sum must list exactly the same five terms in the same order. State the new summand and bounds.

Hints

- Choose a relationship between \(j\) and \(k\) that moves the starting index from \(0\) to \(1\). - Change both bounds using the same index relationship. - Substitute the old index in the summand and check the first and last generated terms.

Solution

Let \(j=k+1\), so \(k=j-1\). When \(k=0\), \(j=1\); when \(k=4\), \(j=5\). Replace \(k\) in the summand: \(2k+1=2(j-1)+1=2j-1\). Therefore \(\sum_{k=0}^{4}(2k+1)=\sum_{j=1}^{5}(2j-1)\). Both forms represent \(1+3+5+7+9\).

Answer

\(\sum_{j=1}^{5}(2j-1)\).
Sigma notation manipulation 10
Rewrite \(\sum_{k=3}^{12}(2k-1)\) in terms of \(\sum_{k=1}^{12}(2k-1)\) by extracting the boundary terms. Then evaluate the original sum.

Hints

- Compare the lower bounds of the two sums and identify exactly which indices occur only in the larger one. - Evaluate the summand at the indices that must be removed. - After the sigma manipulation is correct, use a familiar formula or arithmetic-series reasoning to evaluate the larger sum.

Solution

1. The larger sum includes the terms for \(k=1\) and \(k=2\), which are not in the original sum. 2. Therefore \(\sum_{k=3}^{12}(2k-1)=\sum_{k=1}^{12}(2k-1)-1-3\). 3. The sum of the first \(12\) odd positive integers is \(12^2=144\). 4. Hence the original sum is \(144-1-3=140\).

Answer

\(\sum_{k=3}^{12}(2k-1)=\sum_{k=1}^{12}(2k-1)-1-3=140\).
Sigma notation manipulation 11
a) Split \(\sum_{k=2}^{20}f(k)\) into two adjacent sums so that the first sum ends at \(k=7\). b) Assuming \(4\le m<15\), combine \(\sum_{j=4}^{m}g(j)+\sum_{j=m+1}^{15}g(j)\) into one sigma expression.

Hints

- A correct split must include every original integer index exactly once. - When two ranges are adjacent, the second range begins one index after the first range ends. - The dummy index letter does not affect whether adjacent ranges can be merged; the summand and coverage of indices do.

Solution

a) The indices \(2\) through \(20\) are split between \(7\) and \(8\), so \(\sum_{k=2}^{20}f(k)=\sum_{k=2}^{7}f(k)+\sum_{k=8}^{20}f(k)\). b) The two ranges are adjacent and together contain every integer index from \(4\) through \(15\) exactly once. Therefore \(\sum_{j=4}^{m}g(j)+\sum_{j=m+1}^{15}g(j)=\sum_{j=4}^{15}g(j)\).

Answer

a) \(\sum_{k=2}^{7}f(k)+\sum_{k=8}^{20}f(k)\) b) \(\sum_{j=4}^{15}g(j)\)
Sigma notation manipulation 12
Write the finite sum \(1^2-2^2+3^2-4^2+\cdots+9^2\) in sigma notation with lower bound \(k=1\). Then expand the first four summands of your sigma expression to verify that its signs match the given pattern.

Hints

- Separate the pattern into the magnitude of each term and the sign of each term. - Look for a power of \(-1\) whose value is positive when \(k\) is odd and negative when \(k\) is even. - Test your proposed summand at the first few index values before finalizing the sigma notation.

Solution

1. The magnitude of the \(k\)th term is \(k^2\). 2. The sign is positive for odd \(k\) and negative for even \(k\), which is represented by \((-1)^{k+1}\). 3. Therefore the sum is \(\sum_{k=1}^{9}(-1)^{k+1}k^2\). 4. Its first four summands are \(1^2-2^2+3^2-4^2\), matching the required sign pattern.

Answer

\(\sum_{k=1}^{9}(-1)^{k+1}k^2\). Its first four summands are \(1^2-2^2+3^2-4^2\).
Sigma notation manipulation 13
Rewrite \(\sum_{k=1}^{4}(3k+2)\) as two simpler sums. Then calculate its value. Explain why the constant \(2\) must be counted more than once.

Hints

- Think about splitting the summand into a part depending on \(k\) and a constant part. - Count how many index values occur in the second sum.

Solution

1. Use the sum rules: \(\sum_{k=1}^{4}(3k+2)=3\sum_{k=1}^{4}k+\sum_{k=1}^{4}2\). 2. The first sum is \(3(1+2+3+4)=30\). The constant \(2\) appears four times, giving \(4\cdot2=8\). 3. The total is \(30+8=38\).

Answer

\(3\sum_{k=1}^{4}k+\sum_{k=1}^{4}2=38\). The constant is added once for each of the four index values.
Sigma notation manipulation 14
Compare these two sums: A: \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(2k+1)\) B: \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}32\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{k-1}\) Expand each one. Which is an arithmetic series and which is geometric? Find both totals.

Hints

- Substitute the index values into each summand before classifying its pattern. - Compare neighboring terms before deciding whether a difference or a ratio stays constant. - Add the five terms you wrote to check each total.

Solution

1. A expands to \(3+5+7+9+11\). Its terms increase by \(2\), so it is arithmetic and sums to \(35\). 2. B expands to \(32+16+8+4+2\). Each term is half the previous one, so it is geometric and sums to \(62\).

Answer

A: \(3+5+7+9+11=35\), arithmetic. B: \(32+16+8+4+2=62\), geometric.
Sigma notation manipulation 15
Reindex \(\sum_{k=3}^{8}(2k^2-k)\) using \(j=k-3\). a) Determine the new bounds and write the summand entirely in terms of \(j\). b) Simplify the new summand and evaluate the sum.

Hints

- Solve the stated index substitution for \(k\) before changing the summand. - Apply the substitution separately to the lower bound, upper bound, and summand. - Simplify only after the reindexed expression is structurally correct.

Solution

a) Since \(j=k-3\), we have \(k=j+3\). The old lower bound \(k=3\) becomes \(j=0\), and the old upper bound \(k=8\) becomes \(j=5\). Thus \(\sum_{k=3}^{8}(2k^2-k)=\sum_{j=0}^{5}[2(j+3)^2-(j+3)]\). b) Simplify: \(2(j+3)^2-(j+3)=2j^2+11j+15\). Therefore the sum is \(\sum_{j=0}^{5}(2j^2+11j+15)=365\).

Answer

a) \(\sum_{j=0}^{5}[2(j+3)^2-(j+3)]\). b) \(\sum_{j=0}^{5}(2j^2+11j+15)=365\).
Sigma notation manipulation 16
Minh reindexes \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(k+2)\) by letting \(j=k-1\). Minh writes \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(k+2)=\sum_{j=0}^{4}(j+2)\). a) Explain why the reindexed sum is not equivalent to the original. b) Correct the reindexing. c) Evaluate the original and incorrect sums to confirm the mismatch.

Hints

- Solve the substitution \(j=k-1\) for the old index \(k\). - Apply the index change to the summand as well as to the bounds. - Compare the first generated term in each expression before evaluating the whole sum.

Solution

1. If \(j=k-1\), then \(k=j+1\). Minh changed the bounds but failed to replace \(k\) correctly in the summand. 2. Since \(k+2=(j+1)+2=j+3\), the correct reindexing is \(\sum_{k=1}^{5}(k+2)=\sum_{j=0}^{4}(j+3)\). 3. The original sum is \(3+4+5+6+7=25\). The incorrect sum is \(2+3+4+5+6=20\), confirming that it represents different terms.

Answer

a) The bounds were shifted but the summand was not transformed consistently. b) \(\sum_{j=0}^{4}(j+3)\) c) Original: \(25\); incorrect version: \(20\)
Sigma notation manipulation 17
For a positive integer \(n\), simplify \(\sum_{k=1}^{n}(k+1)^2-\sum_{j=2}^{n+1}(j^2-1)\) by reindexing one of the sums so that both sums use the same index and bounds.

Hints

- The two sums cover the same number of terms but use shifted index ranges. - Choose a substitution that turns the lower bound \(2\) into \(1\) and the upper bound \(n+1\) into \(n\). - Combine the sums only after their index variables and bounds have been aligned.

Solution

1. In the second sum, let \(j=k+1\). As \(j\) runs from \(2\) to \(n+1\), \(k\) runs from \(1\) to \(n\). 2. Thus \(\sum_{j=2}^{n+1}(j^2-1)=\sum_{k=1}^{n}((k+1)^2-1)\). 3. The original expression becomes \(\sum_{k=1}^{n}\left((k+1)^2-((k+1)^2-1)\right)=\sum_{k=1}^{n}1\). 4. Therefore the expression simplifies to \(n\).

Answer

\(n\).
Sigma notation manipulation 18
For a positive integer \(n\), simplify \(T_n=\sum_{k=1}^{n}(k+2)^2-\sum_{k=1}^{n}k^2\) without expanding all \(n\) terms or using a formula for \(\sum k^2\). Use a change of index to expose cancellation, and give the final result as a polynomial in \(n\).

Hints

- Reindex the first sum so that its squared terms are written with the same index pattern as the second sum. - Compare the two resulting ranges and identify which middle terms occur in both. - Keep the unmatched terms at the two ends before simplifying algebraically.

Solution

1. In the first sum, let \(j=k+2\). Then \(\sum_{k=1}^{n}(k+2)^2=\sum_{j=3}^{n+2}j^2\). 2. Therefore \(T_n=\sum_{j=3}^{n+2}j^2-\sum_{k=1}^{n}k^2\). The terms \(3^2,4^2,\ldots,n^2\) cancel when they are present; the endpoint expression that remains is \(T_n=(n+1)^2+(n+2)^2-1^2-2^2\). This endpoint identity also holds for \(n=1\) and \(n=2\), where the overlap is shorter. 3. Simplifying gives \(T_n=2n^2+6n\).

Answer

\(T_n=2n^2+6n\).

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