Integral method for approximating sums
We wish to approximate a sum Sn=∑k=1nf(k). If f(k) is either weakly increasing or weakly decreasing over some interval [1,n] we can approximate it using an integral.
Let In=∫x=0nf(x)dx.
If f(x) is weakly increasing over [1,n] we can say In+f(1)≤Sn≤In+f(n).
If f(x) is weakly decreasing over [1,n] we can say In+f(1)≥Sn≥In+f(n).
|