AoPSWiki
Looking for a challenging algebra text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams?
Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Algebra by Richard Rusczyk.
Personal tools

Triangular number

From AoPSWiki

The triangular numbers are the numbers which are the sum of the first natural numbers from to .

Using the sum of an arithmetic series formula, a formula can be calculated for :

T_n = \displaystyle\sum_{k=1}^{n}k = 1 + 2 + \ldots + n = \frac{n(n+1)}2

The rather simple recursive definition can be easily found by noting that \displaystyle T_{n} = 1 + 2 + \ldots + (n-1) + n = (1 + 2 + \ldots + n-1) + n = T_{n-1} + n.

This article is a stub. Help us out by expanding it.

The Art of Problem Solving Bookstore now offers two titles from the creator of Math Olympiads in the Elementary and Middle Schools. Click here and here to check them out.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us