The Basics of Addition | Understanding the Sum and Summation in Mathematics

sum

In mathematics, the term “sum” refers to the result obtained when two or more quantities are added together

In mathematics, the term “sum” refers to the result obtained when two or more quantities are added together. It is a basic operation in arithmetic and is denoted by the symbol “+”. The quantities being added are known as addends or summands.

For example, if we have the numbers 3 and 5, their sum would be 3 + 5 = 8. In this case, 3 and 5 are the addends, and the sum is 8.

The sum is commutative, which means that changing the order of the addends does not affect the result. For instance, the sum of 3 + 5 is the same as the sum of 5 + 3, both of which equal 8.

Summation is a process that involves adding up a series of numbers or terms. It is represented using the Greek capital letter sigma (∑). For example, the summation of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be written as:

∑(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15

In this case, the summation symbol (∑) indicates that we need to add up the terms from 1 to 5.

The concept of the sum extends beyond just adding numbers. It can also be used for adding algebraic expressions, matrices, or even infinite sequences (if they converge). The sum plays a crucial role in many areas of mathematics, including algebra, calculus, and discrete mathematics.

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