The TeX (and LaTeX) command for generating the summation sign "∑". When you see this in some ASCIIvision

S(n) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} i = n*(n+1)/2,
it means something like this:
           n
          ---
          \         n (n+1)
   S(n) = /    i  = -------
          ---          2
          i=1
(only you should imagine it with TeX's beautiful typesetting!)

Nowadays, we at E2 have "∑", allowing us to write

S(n) = ∑i=1n i = n⋅(n+1)/2.
Not perfect, but decidedly more comfortable than saying "\sum". However, old writeups may well contain the older form; /msging the author (unless it's ariels) may be a good idea.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.