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Possible Duplicate:
why is $\sum\limits_{k=1}^{n} k^m$ a polynomial with degree $m+1$ in $n$

How can I find $\sum_{n=1}^N n^2-n$? Wolfram Alpha will tell you that it is $\frac{N}{3} (N-1)(N+1)$, and given the famous formulas for $\sum_{n=1}^N n^2$ and $\sum_{n=1}^N n$, you could piece together the first. But is there some sort of a general method here that might be of use in evaluating these kinds of partial sums?

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    @Mhenni You did it again! Please stop linking to your own answers when they are not of any help. This is despicable self-promotion.2012-09-05

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I'm not sure what you mean by general but here are two ways to find $\sum_{n=1}^N p(n)$ for $p$ a polynomial.

  • If $p$ has degree $d$, find the value of the sum for $d+2$ values of $N$ and use Lagrange interpolation.

  • Write $p(n)$ in the binomial basis $n \choose k$ and use sum-of-column identity in the Pascal triangle.

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    ... because one easily sees that taking differences (i.e. $f\mapsto (n\mapsto f(n+1-f(n))$ of degree $d+1$ poynomials produces degree $d$ poynomials and that this is surjective.2012-09-04
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Yes. The formula for the sum of the first $N$ powers $n^p$ is known as Faulhabers Formula, and the proof involving the binomial theorem can also be found in the given link.

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Well, if you're interested in the sums of the form $\sum_{n=1}^N n(n+1) \cdots (n+r) $ then there is a nice closed form, $\sum_{n=1}^N n(n+1) \cdots (n+r) = \frac{1}{r+2} N(N+1) \cdots (N+r+1)$ This follows from writing $n(n+1) \cdots (n+r) = \frac{ n(n+1) \cdots (n+r)(n+r+1) - (n-1)n(n+1) \cdots (n+r)}{r+2}$ and noting that the numerator is telescopic.