Chapter 5: Problem 71
Compute the first four partial sums \(S_{1}, \ldots, S_{4}\) for the series having \(n\) th term \(a_{n}\) starting with \(n=1\) as follows. $$ a_{n}=n $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The first four partial sums are: \( S_1 = 1, S_2 = 3, S_3 = 6, S_4 = 10 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the given series
The series provided is a sequence where each term, denoted as \(a_n\), is simply equal to the index \(n\) itself. Thus, the series is: \(a_1 = 1, a_2 = 2, a_3 = 3, a_4 = 4, \ldots\)
02
Calculate the first partial sum \(S_1\)
The first partial sum \(S_1\) is simply the first term of the series. Therefore, \(S_1 = a_1 = 1\).
03
Calculate the second partial sum \(S_2\)
The second partial sum \(S_2\) is the sum of the first two terms of the series. Thus, \(S_2 = a_1 + a_2 = 1 + 2 = 3\).
04
Calculate the third partial sum \(S_3\)
The third partial sum \(S_3\) is the sum of the first three terms of the series. This means \(S_3 = a_1 + a_2 + a_3 = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6\).
05
Calculate the fourth partial sum \(S_4\)
The fourth partial sum \(S_4\) is the sum of the first four terms of the series. Therefore, \(S_4 = a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + a_4 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Series
In mathematics, a series is the sum of the terms of a sequence. When you look at a series, imagine a long sequence of numbers, where each individual number, or term, is added to the next. This sums them in a cumulative way. For instance, consider the series formed by adding numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth. If you write it mathematically, it appears as:
- \( a_1 + a_2 + a_3 + ... \)
Sequence
A sequence is an ordered list of numbers. It's like a list where each number is placed in a specific spot. In sequences, the position of each number is crucial. For example:
- The sequence \( a_1, a_2, a_3, a_4, \ldots \)
Arithmetic Progression
An arithmetic progression is a specific type of sequence where each term after the first is obtained by adding a constant value to the previous term. This constant is known as the "common difference." For example, in the sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, each time you add 1 to get from one term to the next, the common difference is 1:
- The first term (1)
- The second term (1 + 1 = 2)
- The third term (2 + 1 = 3)
- The fourth term (3 + 1 = 4)
Summation
Summation refers to the operation of adding a series of numbers together. It is denoted by the capital Greek letter sigma (\( \Sigma \)). It provides a compact way to write the sum of a sequence of numbers in mathematics. Consider the summation of the first few terms:
- \( S_1 = 1 \)
- \( S_2 = 1 + 2 = 3 \)
- \( S_3 = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 \)
- \( S_4 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 \)