SAN M I G UEL N AT I O N AL H I G H SC H O O L

P R E-C ALC ULUS

SIG M A NOT AT ION

Module 8
Sir Fernan A. Inoncillo
Teacher II
OBJE CT IV E S

1
Define Sigma Notation.
2 Represent series using sigma
notation.
3 Write series in sigma
notation.
 Part 1. Review
Part 2. Discussion

CONTENTS Part 3.
Generalization
Part 4. Assessment
PART 1
Review
Identify if it is {4,8,12,16}
arithmetic,
geometric,
harmonic, or
Fibonacci Arithmetic
sequence.
Identify if it is {6, 18, 54}
arithmetic,
geometric,
harmonic, or
Fibonacci Geometric
sequence.
Identify if it is {1,1/3,1/5,1/7}

arithmetic,
geometric,
harmonic, or
Fibonacci Harmonic
sequence.
Identify if it is {1,1,2,3,5,8,13}
arithmetic,
geometric,
harmonic, or
Fibonacci Fibonacci
sequence.
Give the {1,1,2,3,5,8,13}
associated
series of the
following
sequence. 33
Give the {6,18,54}
associated
series of the
following
sequence. 78
Give the {4,8,12,16}
associated
series of the
following
sequence. 40
Give the {0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7}
associated
series of the
following
sequence. 1.6
PART 2
Discussion
 Sigma Notation

Mathematics use the sigma

notation to denote a sum.
 Sigma Notation

The uppercase Greek letter ∑

(called sigma) is used to indicate a
sum. The notation consists of
several components or parts.
 Sigma Notation
Let f(i) be an expression
involving an integer i.

The expression f(m) + f(m+1)

+ f(m+2) + .... + f(n)
 Sigma Notation
The expression can be
compactly written in sigma
notation, and we write it as
�
�=�
�(�)
 Sigma Notation

The expression �
�=�
is
�(�)
read as “the summation of
f(i) from i=m to n”.
 Sigma Notation
Here, m ≤ n (both integers)
where f(i) is a term (or summand);
i is the index; m is the lower bound;
and n is the upper bound.
 Example #1:
Identify the term(or
summand), the index, the
lower bound, and the upper
bound of the given sigma
notation �=1 � .
5 2
 Example #1: Answer
The term(or the summand) is
� ; the index is i; the lower
2

bound is 1; and the upper

bound is 5.
 Example #2:
Expand each summation.

1. 4
�=1
�� = �1 +�2 +�3 +�4
� 1 2 3
2. 3
�=1 �+1
= + +
2 3 4
 Example #2:
Expand each summation.

3. 2
�=0
2 �
= 2 +2 +2
0 1 2

4. �
�=1
3�� = 3�1 +3�2 + . . + 3��
 Example #3:
Write each expression in
sigma notation.
1 1 1 24 1
1. 1 + + + .... + �=1 �
2 3 24
 Example #3:
Write each expression in sigma
notation.

2. -1+2-3+...-9 9
�=1
�(−1)�
 Example #3:
Write each expression in sigma
notation.

3. �2 +�4 +...+�12 6
�=1
�2�
 Example #3:
Write each expression in sigma
notation.
1 1 1 1
4. 1+ + + ... + 7
�=0 2�
2 4 128
 Remarks: Properties
of Sigma Notation
Property 1: Constant Rule
�
�=�
� = cn or c(n-m+1)
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

1. 35
�=1
8 = 8(35) = 280
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

2. 8
�=6
7 = 7(8 − 6 + 1) = 21
 Remarks: Properties
of Sigma Notation
Property 2: Constant-Product Rule

�
�=�
��(�) = c �
�=�
�(�)
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

1. 4
�=1
11� = 11 4
�=1
�
= 11(10)
= 110
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

2. 6
�=1
0.5� = 0.5 6
�=1
�
= 0.5(21)
= 10.5
 Remarks: Properties
of Sigma Notation
Property 3: Sum-Difference Rule

�
�=�
�(�) ± �(�) = �
�=�
�(�) ± �
�=�
�(�)
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

1. 5
�=1
� + 1 = 15 + 5
= 20
 Examples:
Evaluate the following:

2. 4
�=1
2 − 6� = 8 − 6(10)
= 8 - 60
= -52
 Remarks: Properties
of Sigma Notation
Property 4: Telescoping Sum

�
�=�
�(� + 1) − �(�) = f(n+1)- f(m)
 Example:
Evaluate the following:
1 1 1 1
1. 99
(
�=1 �+1
− ) = −
� 100 1
99
= -
100
 PART 3

Generalization
What is a Sigma Notation
and what are the
properties of sigma
notation?
 PART 4
Assessment
 Independent Activities

Pre-Calculus Reflection
Module 8
Assessment
Sigma Notation (Post Test)

Enrichment Activities