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What is the formula for the sum of the first n terms in the following sequence in terms of n:

1, 1+2, 1+2+2^2, 1+2+2^2+2^3, ...


Sagot :

Let [tex]S_n[/tex] be the [tex]n[/tex]-th term in this sequence, so

[tex]S_1 = 1[/tex]

[tex]S_2 = 1 + 2[/tex]

[tex]S_3 = 1 + 2 + 2^2[/tex]

and so on, with general [tex]n[/tex]-th term

[tex]S_n = 1 + 2 + 2^2 + \cdots + 2^{n-1} = \displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n 2^{i-1}[/tex]

Observe that

[tex]2 S_n = 2 + 2^2 + 2^3 + \cdots + 2^n[/tex]

and by subtracting this from [tex]S_n[/tex], we eliminate all but the outermost terms, namely

[tex]S_n - 2S_n = 1 - 2^n[/tex]

so that

[tex]-S_n = 1 - 2^n[/tex]

[tex]S_n = 2^n - 1[/tex]

Now, the sum of the first [tex]n[/tex] terms of the sequence [tex]\{S_1,S_2,S_3,\ldots,S_n\}[/tex] is

[tex]S = S_1 + S_2 + S_3 + \cdots + S_n[/tex]

[tex]S = \displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n S_i[/tex]

[tex]S = \displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n (2^i - 1)[/tex]

[tex]S = \displaystyle \sum_{i=1}^n 2^i - \sum_{i=1}^n 1[/tex]

[tex]S = \displaystyle 2 \underbrace{\sum_{i=1}^n 2^{i-1}}_{S_n} - n[/tex]

[tex]S = 2(2^n - 1) - n[/tex]

[tex]S = \boxed{2^{n+1} - n - 2}[/tex]