ARITHMETIC SUMMATIONS OF INFINITE DEGREES 𝑺𝒌𝒏

ALFREUD C. BELANDRES
CYRIL L. BELTRAN
Researchers

JESSIE C. GRAVIDEZ
Adviser

ABSTRACT
In this paper, the researchers introduce and investigate the formula of arithmetic
summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 and its application in establishing the relationship
between arithmetic sequence and squares and cubes of natural numbers. Using the
concepts of arithmetic progression, arithmetic series, and sum of squares, the study
defines and characterizes the arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 .

Keywords: 𝑆𝑆𝑛 , 𝑆𝑛 , 𝑎1 , 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑑, 𝑛3 , 𝑆𝑛2 , 𝑆𝑛𝑘

1 INTRODUCTION
In Mathematics, the concepts of arithmetic progression and arithmetic series were
introduced. The objective of this paper is to derive an equation that allows arithmetic
progression to be added over itself up to infinite times.

2 PRELIMINARIES
Definition 2.1. An arithmetic progression or arithmetic sequence is a sequence of
numbers such that the difference between the consecutive terms is constant. For instance,
the sequence 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 . . . is an arithmetic progression with common difference
of 2. If the initial term of an arithmetic progression is 𝑎1 and the common difference of
successive numbers is d, then the nth term of the sequence 𝑎𝑛 is given by:

1
 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

and in general

𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚 + (𝑛 − 𝑚)𝑑

Definition 2.2. An arithmetic series is the sum of the members of a finite arithmetic
progression. The formula in getting the summation of an arithmetic progression is given
by:
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑎𝑛 )
2 1
An alternate formula from re-inserting the substitution: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2
Definition 2.3. The sum of two squares theorem says when an integer n > 1 can be
written as a sum of two squares, that is, when n = a2 + b2 for some integers a, b. The sum
of the squares of the first n natural numbers is:
𝑛(𝑛 − 1)(2𝑛 − 1)
𝑆𝑛 2 =
6

Definition 2.4. A cubed number (or a cube) is a number you can write as a product of
three equal factors of natural numbers.
Formula:

𝑘 = 𝑎 ∗ 𝑎 ∗ 𝑎 = 𝑎3
(k and a stand for integers.)

Remark 2.5. Cubes are examples of a sequence. If arithmetic progression is a sequence,

then, cubes can be derived using arithmetic sequence.

3 DERIVATION OF 𝑺𝒌𝒏
In this section, the formula of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 and sum of squares of the first
(𝑛)(𝑛−1)(2𝑛−1)
natural numbers are used to derive the arithmetic summations of infinite
6
degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 .

2
Definition 3.1. A series of numbers form an arithmetic progression if the difference
between any two consecutive numbers is constant.

Remark 3.2. The formula for the arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 is derived from the summation of
numbers 𝑛.

𝑆𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑎1 + 𝑑) + (𝑎1 + 2𝑑) + ⋯ + (𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 2)𝑑) + (𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑)

𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎𝑛 − (𝑛 − 1)𝑑) + (𝑎𝑛 − (𝑛 − 2)𝑑) + ⋯ + (𝑎𝑛 − 2𝑑) + (𝑎𝑛 − 𝑑) + 𝑎𝑛 .

Adding both sides of the two equations, all terms involving d cancel:

2𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 )

Dividing both sides by 2 produces a common form of the equation:

𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (𝑎 + 𝑎𝑛 )
2 1
An alternate form results from re-inserting the substitution: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
2

Lemma 3.3. The sum of squares 𝑆𝑛2 can be derived from an arithmetic progression.

Since the sum of squares can form a sequence, there exists a pattern.

𝑛 0 1 2 3 4 … 𝑛−3 𝑛−2 𝑛−1 𝑛

𝑛2 0 1 4 9 16 … (𝑛 − 3)2 (𝑛 − 2)2 (𝑛 − 1)2 𝑛2
𝑆𝑛2 0 1 5 14 30 … (𝑛 − 3)(𝑛 − 4)(2𝑛 − 7)
6
(𝑛 − 2)(𝑛 − 3)(2𝑛 − 5)
6
(𝑛 − 1)(𝑛 − 2)(2𝑛 − 3)
6
(𝑛)(𝑛 − 1)(2𝑛 − 1)
6
∆1 1 4 9 16 … 𝑛2 − 6𝑛 + 9 𝑛2 − 4𝑛 + 4 𝑛2 − 2𝑛 + 1
∆2 3 5 7 … 2𝑛 − 5 2𝑛 − 3
∆3 2 2 … 2

From the pattern of sum of squares as shown, the following propositions are
observed:

(i) The 2nd level difference ∆2 of the pattern forms an arithmetic progression with a
common difference of the value of the 3rd level difference ∆3 , which is 𝑑 = 2. So let
∆2 be the arithmetic progression 𝑎𝑛 and let ∆3 be the common difference 𝑑.
(ii) The 1st level difference ∆1 of the pattern denotes the sum of the terms in the 2nd
level difference ∆2 . So let ∆1 be the arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 .
(iii) The sum of squares 𝑆𝑛2 denotes the sum of the terms in the 1st level difference ∆1.
So let 𝑆𝑛2 be the sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 .

3
 Based from the observations, the formula for the sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 was
introduced.

Remark 3.4. Suppose the pattern of the sum of squares 𝑆𝑛2 is an example of the pattern
of the sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 . If the formula of the sum of squares of the first n
𝑛(𝑛−1)(2𝑛−1)
natural numbers, 𝑆𝑛2 = , was formulated from the pattern of derivation of
6
arithmetic series, then the sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 can be formulated through the
pattern of derivation of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 .

Theorem 3.5. The sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 is derived from the pattern of deriving the
formula of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 .
Proof:

𝑆𝑆1 = 𝑆1 = 𝑎1

Reason: Suppose that 𝑎1 is the only term in the series.

𝑆𝑆2 = 𝑆1 + 𝑆2 = 𝑎1 + (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 )

= 2𝑎1 + 𝑎2

Reason: Let 𝑆2 be the summation of two consecutive terms.

𝑆𝑆3 = 𝑆1 + 𝑆2 + 𝑆3 = 𝑎1 + (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 ) + (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 + 𝑎3 )

= 3𝑎1 + 2𝑎2 + 𝑎3

Reason: Let 𝑆3 be the summation of three consecutive terms.

𝑆𝑆𝑛 = 𝑆1 + 𝑆2 + 𝑆3 + ⋯ + 𝑆𝑛−2 + 𝑆𝑛−1 + 𝑆𝑛

= 𝑛𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)(𝑎2 ) + (𝑛 − 2)(𝑎3 ) + ⋯ + 3(𝑎𝑛−2 ) + 2(𝑎𝑛−1 ) + 𝑎𝑛

Let 𝑑 be the common difference of the sequence.

= 𝑛𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)(𝑎1 + 𝑑) + (𝑛 − 2)(𝑎1 + 2𝑑) + ⋯ + [𝑛 − (𝑛 − 3)][𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 3)(𝑑)] + [𝑛

− (𝑛 − 2)][𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 2)(𝑑)] + [𝑛 − (𝑛 − 1)][𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)(𝑑)]

= 𝑛𝑎1 + (𝑛𝑎1 − 𝑎1 + 𝑛𝑑 − 𝑑) + (𝑛𝑎1 − 2𝑎1 + 2𝑛𝑑 − 4𝑑) + ⋯ + [𝑛𝑎1 − (𝑛 − 3)(𝑎1 ) + (𝑛

− 3)(𝑛𝑑) − (𝑛 − 3)2 (𝑑)] + [𝑛𝑎1 − (𝑛 − 2)(𝑎1 ) + (𝑛 − 2)(𝑛𝑑) − (𝑛 − 2)2 (𝑑)]
+ [𝑛𝑎1 − (𝑛 − 1)(𝑎1 ) + (𝑛 − 1)(𝑛𝑑) − (𝑛 − 1)2 (𝑑)]

4
 From the derivation of sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 as shown, the following lemmas
are observed:

Lemma (i) Since all terms have 𝑛𝑎1 , we have 𝑛 times 𝑛𝑎1 .
Lemma (ii) Since all terms have 𝑎1 with the absolute value of the coefficients
𝑛 𝑛(𝑛−1)
forming an arithmetic system,∑𝑛1(𝑛 − 1) = 2 [0 + 𝑛 − 1] = . And since the
2
𝑛(𝑛−1)
coefficients of 𝑎1 are negative, the sum is − .
2
Lemma (iii) Since all terms have 𝑛𝑑 with coefficients forming the same pattern
𝑛(𝑛−1)
and are positive, the coefficient of 𝑛𝑑 is .
2
Lemma (iv) Since all terms have 𝑑 with coefficients forming negative squares,
the sum of squares of the first natural numbers has been used. Hence, the
(𝑛)(𝑛−1)(2𝑛−1)
coefficient of 𝑑 is − .
6

𝑛(𝑛−1) 𝑛(𝑛−1) (𝑛)(𝑛−1)(2𝑛−1)

Therefore, 𝑆𝑆𝑛 = (𝑛)(𝑛𝑎1 ) + [− ] (𝑎1 ) + [ ] (𝑛𝑑) + [− ] (𝑑)
2 2 6

𝑛2 𝑎1 − 𝑛𝑎1 𝑛3 𝑑 − 𝑛2 𝑑 2𝑛3 𝑑 − 3𝑛2 𝑑 + 𝑛𝑑

𝑆𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛2 𝑎1 − + −
2 2 6
6𝑛2 𝑎1 − 3𝑛2 𝑎1 + 3𝑛𝑎1 + 3𝑛3 𝑑 − 3𝑛2 𝑑 − 2𝑛3 𝑑 + 3𝑛2 𝑑 − 𝑛𝑑
𝑆𝑆𝑛 =
6
3𝑛2 𝑎1 + 3𝑛𝑎1 + 𝑛3 𝑑 − 𝑛𝑑
𝑆𝑆𝑛 =
6
1
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = [3𝑛𝑎1 (𝑛 + 1) + 𝑛𝑑(𝑛2 − 1)]
6
𝑛(𝑛 + 1)
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = [3𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)]
6
𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = [3𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)]
6
An alternate formula from re-inserting the substitution: 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑

𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 )
6
With these two given equations, we can observe a pattern with regard to the
variables that could be used as basis for a general equation.
Remark 3.6. The number of (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 is constant.

5
Remark 3.7. The number of a1 is equivalent to the number of times the arithmetic
progression is added plus one. Let k be the number of times it is added. Hence, the
coefficient for a1 is (k+1).

Remark 3.8. The numerator outside the brackets is equal to n, if added once, and 𝑛(𝑛 +
1), if added twice. Following the pattern, it will be 𝑛(𝑛 + 1)(𝑛 + 2) if added thrice, and so
on.
Since the numerator is a continuous process of multiplying consecutive terms, we
can say that it is a factorial to the (𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)𝑡ℎ term, with (𝑘 + 1) being the constant
added to 𝑛 on the last term.

Example:
add once add twice add thrice
𝑘=1 𝑘=2 𝑘=3
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1) (𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1) (𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)
(𝑛 + 1 − 1) (𝑛 + 2 − 1) (𝑛 + 3 − 1)
(𝑛) (𝑛 + 1) (𝑛 + 2)

However, since it starts from (𝑛) to (𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1), we’ll have to divide it to (𝑛 − 1)!
(𝑛+𝑘−1)!
Hence, we have (𝑛−1)!
as the numerator.

Remark 3.9. The denominator, on the other hand, follows the pattern (𝑘 + 1)!

Example:
add once add twice add thrice
𝑘=1 𝑘=2 𝑘=3
(1 + 1)! (2 + 1)! (3 + 1)!
2! 3! 4!
2 6 24

Combining all observations, we have:

6
 Legend:
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)! 𝑛 – number of terms
𝑆𝑘𝑛 = [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑]
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑘 + 1)! 𝑎1 − first term
𝑎𝑛 − last term
or
𝑑 − common difference
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)! 𝑘 − number of times the
𝑆𝑘𝑛 = [𝑘𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑛 ]
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑘 + 1)! arithmetic progression is added
𝑆 − summation

4 SOLVING SQUARES AND CUBES USING 𝑺𝒌𝒏

In this section, the researchers use the formula of the arithmetic summations of
infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 in solving the square or the cube of a number.

Theorem 4.1. The sequence of squares can be derived from an arithmetic progression.
Proof: Since squares can form a sequence, there exists a pattern.

𝑛 0 1 2 3 4 … 𝑛−3 𝑛−2 𝑛−1 𝑛

𝑛2 0 1 4 9 16 … (𝑛 − 3) 2 (𝑛 − 2) 2 (𝑛 − 1) 2
𝑛2
∆1 1 3 5 7 … −2𝑛 + 5 −2𝑛 + 3 −2𝑛 + 1

∆2 2 2 2 … 2 2
Since the pattern of squares has differences that form a pattern of arithmetic series,
where the differences among them forms a pattern of arithmetic progression with 𝑑 = 2,
we can conclude that the pattern of squares can be derived with the arithmetic series.
Also since the arithmetic progression is added over itself once, from ∆1to 𝑛2 then 𝑘 = 1.

Corollary 4.2. Since squares can be derived with the arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 , then we can
solve for the square of a number using the formula of the arithmetic summations of infinite
degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 .

Theorem 4.3. The sequence of cubes can be derived from an arithmetic progression.
Proof: Since cubes can form a sequence, there exists a pattern.

𝑛 0 1 2 3 4 … 𝑛−3 𝑛−2 𝑛−1 𝑛

𝑛3 0 1 8 27 64 … (𝑛 − 3)3 (𝑛 − 2)3 (𝑛 − 1)3 𝑛3
∆1 1 7 19 37 … 3𝑛2 − 15𝑛 + 19 3𝑛2 − 9𝑛 + 7 3𝑛2 − 3𝑛 + 1

7
 ∆2 6 12 18 … 6𝑛 − 12 6𝑛 − 6
∆3 6 6 … 6
Since the pattern of cubes has differences that form a pattern of arithmetic series,
where the differences among them forms a pattern of arithmetic progression with 𝑑 = 6,
we can conclude that the pattern of cubes can be derived with the summation of the
arithmetic series. Also since the arithmetic progression is added over itself twice, from
∆2 to 𝑛3 then 𝑘 = 2.

Corollary 4.4. Since cubes can be derived with the summation of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 ,
then we can solve for the cube of a number using the formula of the arithmetic
summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 .

Theorem 4.5. The formula for the arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 can be simplified into the formula
for squares, which is 𝑛2 . Prove: 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛2
Proof: Let 𝑑 = 2, based from the 2nd level difference on theorem 4.1. Assume that 𝑎1 = 0.
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 =[2𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = [2(0) + 2(𝑛 − 1)]
2
𝑛
𝑆𝑛 = (2𝑛 − 2)
2
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛(𝑛 − 1)

𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛2 − 𝑛

As observed, the equation exceeds with – 𝑛. In order to prove that 𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛2 , a

solution to this problem is to add 𝑛 to eliminate – 𝑛.

Corollary 4.6. There are certain properties of the formula of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑛 in
relation to solving for the square of a positive integer.

Theorem 4.7. The formula for the sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛 can be simplified into the
formula for cubes, which is 𝑛3 . Prove: 𝑆𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛3

Proof: Let 𝑑 = 6, based from the 3rd level difference on theorem 4.3. Assume that 𝑎1 = 0.

𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = [3𝑎1 + 𝑑(𝑛 − 1)]
6
𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = [3(0) + 6(𝑛 − 1)]
6

8
 𝑛2 + 𝑛
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = (6𝑛 − 6)
6
𝑆𝑆𝑛 = (𝑛2 + 𝑛)(𝑛 − 1)

𝑆𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛3 − 𝑛

As observed, the equation exceeds with – 𝑛. In order to prove that 𝑆𝑆𝑛 = 𝑛3 , a

solution to this problem is to add 𝑛 to eliminate – 𝑛.

Corollary 4.8. There are certain properties of the formula of sum of arithmetic series 𝑆𝑆𝑛
in relation to solving for the cube of a positive integer.

Remark 4.9. In solving for the square of an integer 𝑛2 , the following properties of the
arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 are concluded:

(i) 𝑎1 must always be equal to 0 because other integers are not applicable for
substitution.
(ii) The common difference 𝑑 must be equal to 2 as stated and proved in theorem 4.1.
(iii) 𝑘 must always be equal to 1 since the arithmetic progression is added over itself
once.
(iv) The formula will have an extension by adding 𝑛.

Remark 4.10. In solving for the cube of an integer 𝑛3 , the following properties of the
formula of arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 are concluded:

(i) 𝑎1 must always be equal to 0 because other integers are not applicable for
substitution.
(ii) The common difference 𝑑 must be equal to 6 as stated and proved in theorem 4.3.
(iii) 𝑘 must always be equal to 2 since the arithmetic progression is added over itself
twice.
(iv) The formula will have an extension by adding 𝑛.

Corollary 4.11. With the properties mentioned, the formula in solving for the square or
cube of a positive integer is alternated to:
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] + 𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑘 + 1)!

Theorem 4.12. Suppose we use the formula of the arithmetic summations of infinite
(𝑛+𝑘−1)!
degrees in solving for the square of a number, which is 𝑆𝑛𝑘 = (𝑛−1)!(𝑘+1)! [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 +
(𝑛 − 1)𝑑] + 𝑛, let 𝑑 = 2, 𝑘 = 2, and 𝑎1 = 0, as stated in Remark 4.9.

9
Proof: In solving for the square of a positive integer n, substitute n for any desired integer.

Let 𝑛 = 6 given 𝑛2 = 36
(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] + 𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑘 + 1)!
(6 + 1 − 1)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = [(1 + 1)0 + (6 − 1)2] + 6
(6 − 1)! (1 + 1)!
(6)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = (5)2 + 6
(5)! (2)!

𝑆𝑛𝑘 = 3(10) + 6

𝑆𝑛𝑘 = 30 + 6

𝑆𝑛𝑘 = 36

Since the formula of arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 is applied on

solving for the square of a positive integer as proven through example, therefore, the
arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 can also be an alternative formula for solving
the square of a natural number.

Theorem 4.13. Suppose we use the formula of the arithmetic summations of infinite
(𝑛+𝑘−1)!
degrees in solving for the cube of a number, which is 𝑆𝑛𝑘 = (𝑛−1)!(𝑘+1)! [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 +
(𝑛 − 1)𝑑] + 𝑛, let 𝑑 = 6, 𝑘 = 2, and 𝑎1 = 0, as stated in Remark 4.10.

Proof: In solving for the cube of a positive integer n, substitute n for any desired integer.

Let 𝑛 = 8 given 𝑛3 = 512

(𝑛 + 𝑘 − 1)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = [(𝑘 + 1)𝑎1 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑑] + 𝑛
(𝑛 − 1)! (𝑘 + 1)!
(8 + 2 − 1)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = [(2 + 1)0 + (8 − 1)6] + 8
(8 − 1)! (2 + 1)!
(9)!
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = (7)6 + 8
(7)! (3)!
72
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = (42) + 8
6
𝑆𝑛𝑘 = 504 + 8
10
 𝑆𝑛𝑘 = 512

Since the formula of arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 is applied on

solving for the cube of a positive integer as proven through example, therefore, the
arithmetic summations of infinite degrees 𝑆𝑛𝑘 can also be an alternative formula for solving
the cube of a natural number.

REFERENCES
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arithmetic_progression

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sum_of_two_squares_theorem

[3] http://www.mathematische-basteleien.de/cubenumber.htm

[4] https://trans4mind.com/personal_development/mathematics/series/sumNaturalS

quares.htm

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