Sigma (mathematics)

In mathematics, sigma (Σ) is a symbol used to denote summation, which means adding a sequence of numbers together. It simplifies writing long sums by showing the starting point, ending point, and the rule for generating each term. For example, \(\sum_{i=1}^{4} i\) means 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. This notation is useful for efficiently expressing and calculating totals of series or sequences, especially when dealing with many numbers. It provides a compact way to represent the process of adding multiple terms in a clear and organized manner.