General formula for finding the sum of sequences and series?

In summary, the conversation discussed whether there is a general formula for finding the sum of geometric, arithmetic, and recursive sequences or series with \Sigma. It was concluded that there is no such formula and it depends on the type of series. Assistance can be provided for specific series, but there is no guaranteed method.
  • #1
JLol
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I know that there are particular formulas for finding the geometric/arithmetic/ and recursive sequences or series with [itex]\Sigma[/itex]. But is there a general formula for finding the sum for all three types? For example, what if I was asked to find a sum of a particular finite sequence but I don't know whether or not it's geometric, arithmetic, or recursive? Help would be appreciated.
 
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  • #2
No, there's no general formula. It completely depends on the type of series. If you are having problems with some specific series then you can post it and somebody can give you a hand with identifying the type or some other special trick. But there's no magic bullet.
 

FAQ: General formula for finding the sum of sequences and series?

1. What is the general formula for finding the sum of a finite arithmetic sequence?

The general formula for finding the sum of a finite arithmetic sequence is (n/2)(a1 + an), where n is the number of terms and a1 and an are the first and last terms of the sequence.

2. How do you find the sum of an infinite geometric series?

To find the sum of an infinite geometric series, you can use the formula S = a/(1-r), where S is the sum, a is the first term, and r is the common ratio.

3. Can the sum of a series be negative?

Yes, the sum of a series can be negative if the terms in the series alternate between positive and negative values. This is known as an alternating series.

4. What is the difference between a sequence and a series?

A sequence is a list of numbers in a specific order, while a series is the sum of the terms in a sequence. In other words, a series is the result of adding all the terms in a sequence together.

5. How do you determine if a series converges or diverges?

There are various tests that can be used to determine if a series converges or diverges, such as the divergence test, the comparison test, and the ratio test. These tests involve analyzing the behavior of the terms in the series to determine if they approach a finite limit or if they continue to increase or decrease without bound.

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