Sigma Notation looks scary, but really isn’t once you get to know it. In fact, it can be quite fascinating.
WHAT TO SUM
Everything after the Sigma. Here we sum “i”.
WHAT VALUES ARE “I”
“i” is the values found above and below sigma.
ADD THEM UP
“i” = 3 below the Sigma is where we start. The 8 above the Sigma is where we stop. Then we add.
NOW THE DIAGRAM

Heres a diagram of the Sigma Notation. We start at three, go to eight and stop. The “i” is what to sum. That would be 3+4+5+6+7+33. Also the “i” doesn’t have to be an “i” it can be any variable.
What else can we do with Sigma Notation
SUM EXPONENTS
∑ I = 2 7 = 2 2 + 3 2 + 4 2 + 5 2 + 6 2 + 7 2 = 139
Start at 2, end at 7.
SUM UP A SEQUENCE
∑ x = 1 5 = ( 3 x + 2 ) = 5 + 8 + 11 + 14 + 17 = 55
Start at 2, end at 7.
SUM UP A SEQUENCE
∑ a = 2 4 a ( a + 2 ) = 3 + 12 + 21 + 48
AND FRACTIONS TOO
∑ d = 7 9 i i + 1 = 7 8 + 8 9 + 9 10
Well go from 7 to 9.
TRY THESE!