HELP HELP HELP!!
How do you determine the closed form of a summation? I realize that for geometric series the sum is just a/(1-r). I can determine the closed form of a non-geometric series by writing out a few sums then finding the pattern, but is there an easier way?
I need an answer ASAP. College placement in a couple of days!

Question

HELP HELP HELP!!
How do you determine the closed form of a summation? I realize that for geometric series the sum is just a/(1-r). I can determine the closed form of a non-geometric series by writing out a few sums then finding the pattern, but is there an easier way?
I need an answer ASAP. College placement in a couple of days!

amistre64 · Answer

it tends to be rather problem specific i believe

amistre64 · Answer

if you can find the rule for the sequence, then its just a matter of adding up the sequence rule