Definition of the summation symbol (2024)

The symbol `\sum` indicates summation and is used as a shorthand notation for the sum of terms that follow a pattern.

For example, the sum of the first 4 squared integers, `1^2+2^2+3^2+4^2,` follows a simple pattern: each term is of the form `i^2,` and we add up values from `i=1` to `i=4.` We can write the sum compactly with summation notation as \[ \sum_{i=1}^4 i^2 = 1^2+2^2+3^2+4^2 = 20. \]Similarly, \[ \sum_{i=2}^6 3i = 3 \cdot 2 + 3 \cdot 3 + 3 \cdot 4 + 3 \cdot 5 + 3 \cdot 6 = 60. \]We don't have to use $i$ for the index, we could use another variable, like $j$:\begin{align*} \sum_{j=-2}^2 \frac{1}{j+3} &= \frac{1}{-2+3} + \frac{1}{-1+3} + \frac{1}{0+3} + \frac{1}{1+3} + \frac{1}{2+3}\\ &= 1 + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{1}{5}\end{align*}

In general, we define the sum as:\[ \sum_{i=a}^b f(i) = f(a) + f(a+1) + f(a+2) + \cdots + f(b-1) + f(b).\]

Definition of the summation symbol (2024)

FAQs

What does the ∑ symbol represent? ›

The symbol Σ (sigma) is generally used to denote a sum of multiple terms. This symbol is generally accompanied by an index that varies to encompass all terms that must be considered in the sum. For example, the sum of first whole numbers can be represented in the following manner: 1 2 3 ⋯.

What is the meaning of ∑ *? ›

The symbol ∑ indicates summation and is used as a shorthand notation for the sum of terms that follow a pattern.

How do you explain summation? ›

The summation of an explicit sequence is denoted as a succession of additions. For example, summation of [1, 2, 4, 2] is denoted 1 + 2 + 4 + 2, and results in 9, that is, 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 9.

What is a symbol simple definition? ›

1. something that stands for, represents, or suggests another thing; esp., an object used to represent something abstract; emblem. the dove is a symbol of peace. 2. a written or printed mark, letter, abbreviation, etc.

What is ∑ in programming? ›

A sigma (∑) is a Summation operator. It evaluates a certain expression many times, with slightly different variables, and returns the sum of all those expressions.

What is the ∑ in English? ›

As we have seen in the last section, the sigma symbol in math is ∑ which is pronounced as "sigma". This is one of the Greek alphabets. This sigma symbol is also known as "capital sigma". The summation notation written using the sigma symbol is also known as a "series" as it denotes a sum.

What does ∑ mean in standard deviation? ›

The formula for standard deviation (SD) is. SD = ∑ | x − μ | 2 N ‍ where ‍ means "sum of", ‍ is a value in the data set, ‍ is the mean of the data set, and ‍ is the number of data points in the population. The standard deviation formula may look confusing, but it will make sense after we break it down.

What does the value σ mean? ›

In this formula, σ is the standard deviation, xi is each individual data point in the set, µ is the mean, and N is the total number of data points.

What is summation for kids? ›

A mathematical sum or maths sum is the result of adding two or more numbers together. It is the total of the numbers added together. For example, the sum of 3 and 7 is 10. They are taught to kids in their Maths lessons and can appear as numerical sums or can be structured as word problems.

What is the definition of summation method? ›

noun. , Mathematics. a method for associating a sum with a divergent series.

What is the summation formula simplified? ›

What Is the Summation Formula of Natural Numbers? To find the sum of the natural numbers from 1 to n, we use the formula n (n + 1) / 2. For example, the sum of the first 50 natural numbers is, 50 (50 + 1) / 2 = 1275.

What is the meaning of the sigma symbol? ›

The symbol Σ (capital sigma) is often used as shorthand notation to indicate the sum of a number of similar terms. Sigma notation is used extensively in statistics.

What does sum mean in math? ›

In mathematics, the sum can be defined as the result or answer after adding two or more numbers or terms. Thus, the sum is a way of putting things together. In other words, the sum is the process of bringing two or more numbers together to produce a new result or total.

What does ∑ mean in chemistry? ›

This is called “summation notation” or “sigma notation”. Here's an example. n∑k=1k3(1) Here's what it means in words. For each whole value of k starting with 1 and going up through n, sum the values of k3.

What is Σ symbolism? ›

The uppercase Σ is the shorthand symbol for summation (the symbol is also known as the summation operator). It is often used to condense Taylor series and to write out trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine, and tangent as series.

What is ∑ symbolizes in Excel? ›

In the Field List in Power View, some number fields have a Sigma ∑ symbol next to them. They are aggregates, meaning they will be summed or averaged, for example.

What is the name of ∑? ›

The symbol ∑ is called the summation symbol. It is used to indicate the sum of a series of numbers or variables. For example, ∑(i=1 to n) xi means the sum of xi where i ranges from 1 to n.

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