How to Use Sigma Notation in Math Problems
Students can download the Sigma Notation PDF from the Vedantu website. Anyone can download the Sigma Notation PDF for free from the website easily. It is a very important topic for school exams and for competitive exams like JEE. The expert faculty of Vedantu have prepared the PDF. They are aware of the challenges students usually face while studying the topic. Thus, the PDF has been prepared in such a manner that students understand it easily. Students wanting to score good marks in their exams should study the topic really well. They can make use of the PDF for learning the topic and for revisions too.
Some of the topics which have been discussed in the Sigma Notation PDF are as follows:
What is Sigma?
Sigma Definition
What Does Sigma Symbol Mean?
What is Sigma Function?
What is Sigma Notation?
Sigma Notation Formulas
Sigma Notation Examples
How To Write Series in Sigma Notation?
Thus, all the important topics have been described in the Sigma Notation PDF.
What is Sigma?
Sigma is the eighteenth upper case letter of the ancient Greek alphabet. It is represented as (\[\sum \]), also known as sigma notation. As a Greek upper case, sigma notation is used to represent the sum of an infinite number of terms. In the Greek numeral system, sigma has a value of 200. In General Mathematics, the upper case letter (\[\sum \]) is used as an operator of the summation, whereas the lower case letter () is used to represent unknown angles.
In General Mathematics, the lowercase letter (), is generally used to represent unknown angles, as well as, it is a prefix used in different situations to represent that a term is referred in some way to countable unions. For example, a sigma algebra is a group of sets closed under a countable union.
Another common example of the sigma (\[\sum \]) is that it is used to represent the standard deviation of the population or a probability distribution, where mu or μ represents the mean of the population).
What Does Sigma Symbol Mean?
The sigma symbol (\[\sum \]) is used to represent the sum of an infinite number of terms that follow a pattern.
What is Sigma Function?
Let x be any integer such that x > 1.
The sigma function of positive integer x is defined as the sum of the positive divisor of x. This is generally represented using the Greek letter sigma σ(x). That is
Where d is the sum of all the positive integer divisors of x.
Here, you can find some of the values of the sigma function.
What is Sigma Notation?
Sigma notation is a convenient method to represent an infinite number of terms. For example, we often look- forward to summing a number of terms where there is some pattern to the number involved. For example,
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 Or 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25
The first pattern written above is the sum of the first five odd numbers, whereas the second pattern represents the sum of the first five squared numbers. In other words, if take a sequence of numbers, \[x_{1},x_{2},x_{3},....x_{n}\], then we can represent the sum of these numbers as:
\[x_{1} + x_{2} + x_{3} + .... + x_{n}\]
The easiest way to write this is to let \[x_{k}\], represent the general term of the sequence, and put
\[\sum_{k}^{n} = 1^{x}k\]
Here, the sigma symbol (\[\sum\]) is the 18th Greek letter corresponding to our letter S, which means to ‘ sum up’. Hence, the above expression represents the sum of all the terms \[x_{k}\], where k refers to the values from 1 to n. In the above expression, n is the upper limit, and 1is the lower limit.
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Sigma Notation Formulas
Here are some of important sigma notation formulas that are frequently used:
\[\sum_{i=1}^{x} i = \frac{x(x+1)}{2}\]
\[\sum_{i=1}^{x} k = k_{n}\]
\[\sum_{i=1}^{x} i^{2} = \frac{x(x+1)(x+2)}{6}\]
\[\sum_{i=1}^{x} i^{3} = \begin{bmatrix} \frac{x(x+1)}{6} \end{bmatrix}^2\]
Sigma Notation Examples
Here are some sigma notation example:
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} y_{i}\] = This expression means the sum of the values of y starting at y₁ and ends with \[y_{n}\].
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} y_{i} = y_{1} + y_{2} + y_{3} + y_{4} + ...... + y_{n}\]
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} y_{8}\] This expression means the sum of the values of y starting at y₁ and ends with \[y_{8}\].
\[\sum_{i=1}^{8} y_{i} = y_{1} + y_{2} + y_{3} + y_{4} + ...... + y_{8}\]
\[\sum_{i=2}^{9} y_{i}\] This expression means the sum of the values of y starting at y₂ and ends with \[y_{9}\].
\[\sum_{i=2}^{9} y_{i} = y_{2} + y_{3} + y_{4}......y_{9}\]
\[\sum_{y=1}^{n} y^{2i}\] This expression means the sum of the values of y starting at \[y_{2}\] and ends with \[y_{9}\].
\[\sum_{y=1}^{n} y^{2i} = y1^{2} + y2^{2} + y3^{2} + ...... + yn^{2}\]
Arithmetic operations can even be performed on variables within the summation. For example,
\[\begin{pmatrix} \sum_{i=1}^{n} y_{i} \end{pmatrix} ^{2}\] = This expression means the sum of the values of y starting at y₁ and ends with yₙ, and square the sum.
\[\begin{pmatrix} \sum_{i=1}^{n} y_{i} \end{pmatrix} ^{2} = (y_{1} + y_{2} + y_{3} + …. + y_{n})^{2} \]
Arithmetic operations can even be performed on expressions including more than one variable. For example,
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_{i} b_{i}\] = This expression represents the product of a and b, starting at a and b, and ends with a and b.
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_{i} b_{i} = a_{1}b_{1} + a_{2}b_{2} + a_{3}b_{3} + …… + a_{n}b_{n} \]
\[\sum_{i=1}^{n} kn_{k} = ln\] this expression, k is constant, i.e. an element that does not include a variable of summation and sum includes n elements.
How to Write Series in Sigma Notation?
Consider the following finite arithmetic sequence:
3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
Now, add the given terms together (taking the sum): 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18
This summation sequence is known as series and is represented by \[S_{n}\], where n denotes a total number of terms being added.
\[S_{6} = 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18\]
\[S_{n}\] is often a \[n^{th}\] partial sum because it represents a certain part or portion of a sequence. A partial sum normally starts \[a_{1}\] and ends with \[a_{n}\], adding n terms.
The summation of a given number of terms of a sequence (series) can also be defined in a compact known as summation notation, sigma notation. The Greek Capital letter also is used to represent the sum.
The series 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 can be expressed as \[\sum_{n=1}^{6} 3n].
This expression is read as a sum of 3n, as n represents numbers from 1 to 6. The variable n is known as the index of summation.
To write the term of series given in sigma notation, replace n by consecutive integers from 1 to 6 as shown below:
\[\sum_{n=1}^{6} 3n = 3(1) + 3(2) + 3(3) + 3(4) + 3(5) + 3(6) \]
= 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 = 63
Let us now understand how to write a series in sigma notation with an example.
Evaluate :
\[\sum_{x=1}^{5} x^{2} + 1\]
Solution: Replace x in the expression (\[x^{2} + 1\]) with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
\[\sum_{x=1}^{5} x^{2} + 1 = (1^{2} + 1) + (2^{2} + 1) + (3^{2} + 1) + (4^{2} + 1) + (5^{2} + 1) \]
\[ = (1 + 1) + (4 + 1) + (9 + 1) + (16 + 1) + (25 + 1)\]
\[= 2 + 5 + 10 + 17 + 26 = 60\]
Note: The expression (\[x^{2} + 1\]) is placed in a set of parentheses following the sigma. Without using the parentheses, only, \[x^{2}\] would be considered as the part of parentheses, with the plus one( + 1) added on, the sigma is completed.
Sigma Notation Solved Examples
1. Evaluate
\[\sum_{y-1}^{5} y^{2}\]
Solution: The expression given in this example is the sum of all the terms from y = 1 to y = 5. So, we consider each value of x, calculate \[y^{3}\] in each case, and add the result obtained.
\[\sum_{y-1}^{5} y^{2} = 1^{2} + 2^{2} + 3^{2} + 4^{2} + 5^{2}\]
= 1 + 4 + 9 +16 + 25
= 55
2. Evaluate:
\[\sum_{n=0}^{6} 3^{n} \]
Solution: The expression given in this example is the sum of 6 terms because we have n = 0 for the first term.
\[\sum_{n=0}^{6} 3^{n} = 3^{0} + 3^{1} + 3^{2} + 3^{3} + 3^{4} + 3^{5} + 3^{6}\]
\[= 1 + 3 + 9 + 27 + 81 + 243 + 729\]
= 1093
Did You Know?
Sigma Notation was introduced by Swiss Mathematician and Physicist Leonhard Euler (1707-1783). He was the first person to use sigma notation using the Greek Letter \[\sum \].
FAQs on Sigma Notation: Definition, Formulas & Step-by-Step Examples
1. What does ∑ mean?
∑ is the Greek capital letter Sigma used in sigma notation to represent the sum of a sequence of numbers. It tells you to add up values according to a given rule, usually over a range of integers, like
- $i=1$ to $n$.
2. What is the sigma notation?
Sigma notation is a structured way to write large sums concisely. It uses the symbol ∑ and typically looks like $\sum_{i=1}^{n} a_i$, meaning to sum the terms $a_1$ through $a_n$ using the specified sequence or formula.
3. What is Σ called?
Σ is called the summation symbol or uppercase sigma. In sigma notation, it tells you to sum values given by a function or formula over a defined range, such as all terms from $k = 1$ to $k = n$.
4. What is the difference between ∑ and ∫?
∑ is used for discrete sums with sigma notation, while ∫ (the integral symbol) signifies continuous sums in calculus.
- ∑: Adds distinct terms.
- ∫: Adds over an interval continuously.
5. How do you write a sum using sigma notation?
To write a sum using sigma notation,
- choose an index variable (like $i$),
- set starting and ending values (like $1$ to $n$),
- and write the formula being summed (like $a_i$).
6. Why is sigma notation useful?
Sigma notation is useful because it allows mathematicians to express long and repetitive addition in a concise, clear, and general way. It helps simplify expressions in mathematics, statistics, and probability where multiple terms follow a specific addition pattern.
7. What do the lower and upper numbers in sigma notation mean?
In sigma notation, the lower number below ∑ is the starting value of the index, and the upper number above is the ending value. For example, in $\sum_{k=1}^{5}$, $k$ starts at $1$ and ends at $5$, summing those terms.
8. Can you give an example of sigma notation with a formula?
A typical sigma notation example is $\sum_{i=1}^{4} (2i)$, which means you add $2\times1$, $2\times2$, $2\times3$, and $2\times4$. This represents the sum $2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20$ in compact form using sigma notation.
9. What types of problems use sigma notation?
Sigma notation is used in a wide range of problems like sequences, series, statistics (for mean or variance calculation), and calculus. It simplifies the writing and solving of formulas involving sums over indexed sets of numbers or terms.
10. How do you expand an expression written in sigma notation?
To expand a sigma notation expression, substitute each value of the index variable from start to end into the formula, then write out and add each resulting term. For $\sum_{i=1}^{3} (i+1)$, expand as $2 + 3 + 4 = 9$.
