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Cyclic sum

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A cyclic sum is a summation that cycles through all the values of a function and takes their sum, so to speak.

Rigorous definition

Consider a function . The cyclic sum is equal to

f(a_1,a_2,a_3,\ldots a_n)+f(a_2,a_3,a_4,\ldots a_n,a_1)+f(a_3,a_4,\ldots a_n,a_1,a_2)\ldots+f(a_n,a_1,a_2,\ldots a_{n-1})

Note that not all permutations of the variables are used; they are just cycled through.

Notation

A cyclic sum is often specified by having the variables to cycle through underneath the sigma, as follows: . Note that a cyclic sum need not cycle through all of the variables.

A cyclic sum is also sometimes specified by . This notation implies that all variables are cycled through.

See also

Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC contests, and having a tough time with number theory problems? Read Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Number Theory by Mathew Crawford.
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