Worked example 5: Sigma notation

QUESTION
Find the value of the series:
7

n=3
2an
SOLUTION
Step 1: Expand the sequence and write down the ve terms
7

n=3
2an = 2a(3) + 2a(4) + 2a(5) + 2a(6) + 2a(7) (5 terms)
= 6a + 8a + 10a + 12a + 14a
Step 2: Determine the sum of the ve terms of the sequence
S
5
= 6a + 8a + 10a + 12a + 14a
= 50a
Worked example 6: Sigma notation
QUESTION
Write the following series in sigma notation:
31 + 24 + 17 + 10 + 3
SOLUTION
Step 1: Consider the series and determine if it is an arithmetic or geometric series
First test for an arithmetic series: is there a common difference?
We let:
T
1
= 31; T
4
= 10;
T
2
= 24; T
5
= 3;
T
3
= 17;
We calculate:
d = T
2
T
1
= 24 31
= 7
d = T
3
T
2
= 17 24
= 7
There is a common difference of 7, therefore this is an arithmetic series.
21 Chapter 1. Sequences and series