Problem

Evaluate the Summation sum from k=1 to 40 of -2k+8

The question asks for the evaluation of a specific summation expression. The summation involves adding together the terms generated by the formula "-2k + 8" for each integer value of k starting at k=1 and ending at k=40. Essentially, you are being asked to calculate the total sum after applying this formula to each k in the specified range.

$\sum_{k = 1}^{40} ⁡ - 2 k + 8$

Answer

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Solution:

Step:1

Decompose the given summation into two separate summations using the properties of summation. $$\sum_{k = 1}^{40} (-2k + 8) = -2 \sum_{k = 1}^{40} k + \sum_{k = 1}^{40} 8$$

Step:2

Calculate $-2 \sum_{k = 1}^{40} k$.

Step:2.1

Use the arithmetic series summation formula:

$$\sum_{k = 1}^{n} k = \frac{n(n + 1)}{2}$$

Step:2.2

Insert the upper limit of the summation into the formula and include the coefficient:

$$-2 \left( \frac{40(40 + 1)}{2} \right)$$

Step:2.3

Proceed with the simplification.

Step:2.3.1

First, perform the addition inside the parentheses.

$$-2 \frac{40 \cdot 41}{2}$$

Step:2.3.2

Next, simplify the multiplication within the fraction.

$$-2 \left( \frac{1640}{2} \right)$$

Step:2.3.3

Reduce the fraction by removing the common factor of 2.

$$-1 \cdot 1640$$

Step:2.3.4

Finally, multiply the remaining terms.

$$-1640$$

Step:3

Calculate $\sum_{k = 1}^{40} 8$.

Step:3.1

Apply the formula for the summation of a constant term:

$$\sum_{k = 1}^{n} c = cn$$

Step:3.2

Place the constant and the upper limit into the formula.

$$(8)(40)$$

Step:3.3

Execute the multiplication.

$$320$$

Step:4

Combine the results from the two summations.

$$-1640 + 320$$

Step:5

Add the two values together to get the final result.

$$-1320$$

Knowledge Notes:

  1. Summation Properties: Summation (denoted by the sigma symbol $\sum$) has properties that allow us to break down complex summations into simpler parts. For instance, the summation of a sum of terms can be separated into the sum of individual summations.

  2. Arithmetic Series: The sum of the first $n$ natural numbers is given by the formula $\sum_{k = 1}^{n} k = \frac{n(n + 1)}{2}$. This is an arithmetic series with a common difference of 1.

  3. Summation of a Constant: The sum of a constant $c$ over $n$ terms is simply $cn$, because the constant does not change as the index increases.

  4. Simplification: When simplifying expressions, it's important to perform operations in the correct order, cancel common factors, and combine like terms to reach the simplest form.

  5. Combining Results: After evaluating separate parts of a summation, the final step often involves adding or subtracting the results to find the total sum.

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